Data Quality of Select Economic Indicators in a National Survey Using Handheld Device: Experience from Global Adult Tobacco Survey, India (2009-2010)

Abstract

Introduction: Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS)-India is the first national survey in which electronic handheld devices were used for data collection and data management. Apart from the participant selection during household survey, rapid data collection, data collation, cost effectiveness, acceptability and improved data quality are some of the key benefits of handheld device use. However, the data quality of GATSIndia survey for certain variables like cigarette and rolled cigarette use, quit attempt and duration of abstinence has been questioned in the recent past. In this context, this study is undertaken to understand the usefulness of handheld device in data collection during GATS-India (2009-10) survey, considering data quality of select economic indicators of tobacco use.