Data quality, concepts and methodology: Data collection and processing
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Responding to this survey is mandatory. Data were collected directly from survey respondents using mail out – mail back questionnaires.
Mail out occurred in June 2008 and respondents were asked to return the completed questionnaires within 60 days of receipt. The surveys were addressed to a contact person who was either responsible for, or had knowledge of, the drinking water facility being surveyed. A letter explaining the purpose of the survey, the requested return date and the legal requirements of response was included with the mail-out package.
Data were collected using one of two questionnaires: the printed version mailed to all respondents, or an electronic PDF form which allowed data to be entered and saved. The electronic PDF form, once completed, needed to be printed and mailed back. Telephone and fax follow-up were used to obtain data from respondents who returned incomplete questionnaires or who failed to respond.
Returned questionnaires were scanned using an imaging system that captured the data for transfer into a database. Some data were manually keyed in. Capture and edit software was then applied to run edit checks on the data which served to identify real or potential response errors.
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