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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Utilise alternative methods to collect data 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
262539  Utilise alternative methods to collect data 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Statistics 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences Mathematical Sciences 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  8 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The skills, values and knowledge reflected in this unit standard are required by people in the field of statistics. Learners would be able to contribute to a quality hierarchy of skills required to provide quality services in statistics by utilising alternative methods to collect data.

A person credited with this unit standard is able to:
  • Compare various data collection methods.
  • Explain the basic principles of data collection.
  • Explain the main stages in planning a survey.
  • Design and evaluate questions for simple survey objectives. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Mathematics NQF Level 4.
  • Communication NQF Level 4. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Compare various data collection methods. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Different data collection methods are described to compare their advantages and disadvantages. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A specific data collection method used in a survey is evaluated in view of the survey objectives and resource constraint. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    A data collection method for a survey is selected in view of the survey objectives and resource constraint. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The difference between primary and secondary data sources is explained to distinguish methods of data collection in each case. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Explain the basic principles of data collection. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The meaning of the term survey is explained to distinguish it from other data collecting activities such as census and experiment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A given data collecting activity is identified as a census, a survey, an experiment or an administrative data collection. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The various stages of primary data collection are described to highlight the advantages and disadvantages of different approaches used at each stage. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The key functions of an enumerator are described to reflect the qualities of a good enumerator. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The key functions of a supervisor are described to reflect the qualities of a good field supervisor. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Explain the main stages in planning a survey. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The basic terms associated with surveys are defined to prepare for survey planning activities. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Basic terms include but are not limited to population, sample, sampling units and sampling frame.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The main stages in planning a survey are described in order to reflect a comprehensive survey process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The importance of sensitivity to social profile in planning a survey is explained to reflect the way it affects data collection. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Social profile includes but is not limited to gender, race, age, urban and rural.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Design and evaluate questions for simple survey objectives. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A few survey questions are constructed in order to obtain information relevant to the survey objectives. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Survey questions are critically examined to assess their relevance to the survey objectives. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Survey questions are modified in order to improve the chance of obtaining reliable responses. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The assessment will be governed by the policies and guidelines of the relevant Education and Training Quality Assuror (ETQA) that has jurisdiction over this field of learning.

    The assessor will (at the very least) be accredited and have a relevant qualification and be a subject matter expert in this learning area and at least have 3 years experience in the skills specific area, post qualification.

    The learner can be assessed against this unit standard to obtain credits or as part of an integrated assessment for a qualification.
  • Internal moderation.
  • External moderation.
  • An assessor, accredited by the relevant ETQA, will assess the learner's competency.
  • Assessment procedures will be supplied by the ETQA in alignment with NSB requirements.
  • All assessment activities must be fair, so that all candidates have equal opportunities. Activities must be free of gender, ethnic or other bias.
  • Assessment and moderation procedures, activities and tools must be transparent, affordable and support development within the field, sub-field and NQF.
  • Questions and answers to determine theoretical knowledge are expected.
  • Assessment of a portfolio of evidence.
  • Direct observation in simulated and/or controlled work conditions. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Names, functions and locations of:
  • Population and sample.
  • Sampling frame.
  • Sampling units.
  • Census.
  • Sampling surveys.
  • Focus groups.
  • Postal surveys.
  • Questionnaires.
  • Purpose of processes and procedures of:
  • Purpose of the investigation.
  • Decision making.

    Attributes, properties, characteristics related to:
  • Strengths and weaknesses of different methods of collecting data.

    Cause and effect, implications of:
  • Different methods of collecting data on sampling errors.

    Procedures and techniques:
  • Methods of collecting data (census, surveys, experiment, administrative, questionnaire, postal).
  • Evaluate the relevance of questionnaire items.
  • Evaluate the relevance of questionnaire instrument.
  • Evaluate and report the importance of each step listed in the implementation of methods of collecting data.

    Regulations, legislation, agreements, policies:
  • National Statistical Offices.
  • National Statistics Act.
  • Ethical Practice Regulations.

    Theory, rules, laws, principles:
  • Primary and secondary data sources.
  • Sampling errors.
  • Non-sampling errors.
  • Rules of asking questions (interviewing skills).
  • Design and evaluation of simple questionnaire items.

    Relationships, systems:
  • The method of data collection and its relationship with the purpose of the investigation. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identifying and solving problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made when:
  • Recognising the problem to be solved and selecting the appropriate data collection method. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Working effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, and community during:
  • Completing tasks in the field.
  • Consultation with supervisor.
  • Interacting with respondent. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively when:
  • Planning and executing methods of collecting data. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information to better understand and explain:
  • Evaluating and interpreting the data collection processes.
  • Determining the appropriate statistical procedure of progress reporting. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicating effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion when:
  • Drawing meaningful conclusions from responses given during data collection.
  • Giving an indication of the precision of the method of collecting data. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others when:
  • Selecting different and appropriate methods of collecting data.
  • Making decisions. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrating an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation when:
  • Recognising the relationship between the methods of collecting data and statistical inference.
  • Recognising the influences of methods of collecting data on the social, political, economic, legislative and environmental contexts. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  65649   National Certificate: Official Statistics  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  PSETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.