Fafo and surveys

Fafo is a large provider of surveys. At any one time Fafo typically carries out 8-10 large-scale surveys in different parts of the world. This makes Fafo one of the largest actors in this field, and ensures that the Fafo staff and their counter parts can draw on the wide and varied experience in designing, carrying out and analysing surveys.

National social surveys in situations of change and transition
A characteristic of Fafo’s survey work is that it takes place in countries or regions that experience rapid change. For example surveys have been carried out in Chinese cities, Eritrea, and in all the Baltic states immediately after the creation of independent states. Such settings require considerable skill in handling sampling and field work logistics and also in promoting transparency in the process of data collection and analysis.

Where data do not exist
Often, it has been Fafo’s task to provide data in situations where there is no existing data, or where existing data lack credibility or widespread acceptance. Thus Fafo carried out the first modern social survey in Lithuania and the first survey that covered all of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

Strategic information needed for policy planning
The typical Fafo survey has as its aim to produce information that is relevant for policy planning. To achieve this aim, Fafo tries to involve users in the design of the survey, and knows how to present results in a way that policy planners can relate to.

Cooperation with local partners
The role of Fafo in a project spans the range from technical assistance to surveys carried out by Fafo alone. The typical survey is carried out in cooperation with a local institution, where the partners share the development of all stages of the survey. During most surveys considerable effort is spent on training the staff of the host institution, either through on the job training or through tailored courses in specific topics.

Multi-topic or highly focused
Fafo has carried out many living conditions surveys where a wide range of topics are covered as well as single topic surveys such as household budget, demographic and labour force surveys. Highly focused topical surveys are also part of Fafo’s toolbox. Examples include a survey to determine the willingness and ability to pay for water in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and a survey of the working conditions of tobacco tenants in Malawi.

International standards and local tailoring: adaptable standard modules
Meaningful analysis of social issues requires that the data are both internationally comparable and adapted to local conditions. To achieve this elusive aim, Fafo has developed a set of standard modules for each topic of interest. Each module consists of a documented questionnaire, interviewer manual, basic data entry programming and analysis plan. A given survey may consist of only some of the modules. Each will be adapted according to the needs at hand, and if required completely new modules may be developed.

Advanced and appropriate survey technology
Fafo closely follows advances in the technology of social surveys. Survey modules are continually updated to reflect recent developments in the fields of study, and basic statistical and software tools enhanced. At the same time Fafo endeavours to use the tools most appropriate for the task at hand, taking account of practices and capacities of the cooperating institution.

More than tabulations
Around each survey Fafo tries to build a process of secondary use and analysis. This ensures that the expense going into a large scale survey is not lost in data that are never used, but rather is the foundation of research and policy relevant analysis. Fafo carries out some of this analysis itself, but data from Fafo’s surveys has been used extensively by researchers and policy makers throughout the world.