Survey Methodology

Survey Methodology is a peer-reviewed journal published twice yearly by Statistics Canada. The journal publishes articles dealing with various aspects of statistical development relevant to a statistical agency, such as design issues in the context of practical constraints, use of different data sources and collection techniques, total survey error, survey evaluation, research in survey methodology, time-series analysis, seasonal adjustment, demographic methods, data integration, estimation and data analysis methods, and general survey systems development. Emphasis is placed on development and evaluation of specific methodologies as applied to data collection, data processing, estimation, or analysis.

The journal was established in 1975, as a Statistics Canada in-house journal intended primarily to “provide a forum in a Canadian context for publication of articles on the practical applications of the many aspects of survey methodology.” Its basic objectives and policy remained unchanged for about 10 years. During this period, however, the journal grew to the point that pressing demands and interests could not be met within the framework established at its inception.

In 1984 several major changes were introduced, which included broadening the scope of the editorial policy and expansion of the editorial board. A separate management board was also established. The editorial board now consists of the editor, a deputy editor, approximately 30 associate editors, and six assistant editors. M. P. Singh was the editor of the journal from the beginning until his death in 2005. The current editor is John Kovar. The associate editors are all leading researchers in survey methods and come from academic institutions, government statistical agencies, and private-sector firms around the world.

Since its December 1981 issue, one unique feature of the journal is that it is fully bilingual, with submissions being accepted in either English or French and all published papers being fully translated. The French name of the journal is Techniques d'Enquête.

From time to time the journal has included special sections containing a number of papers on a common theme. Topics of these special sections have included, among others, census coverage error, small area estimation, composite estimation in surveys, and [Page 868]longitudinal surveys and analyses. The June 2002 issue of the journal included a special section in honor of Leslie Kish.

In December 1999 and June 2000, Survey Methodology celebrated its 25th anniversary with two special issues containing invited papers from several prominent statisticians. The lead paper in the December issue (volume 25, number 2) by Richard Platek, founding chairman of the management board, gives an overview of the gradual evolution of the journal from its humble beginnings to a well-known international publication.

In 2000 the Survey Methodology journal, in cooperation with the American Statistical Association and Westat, established an annual invited paper series in honor of Joseph Waksberg. Each year a prominent survey researcher is chosen by a committee to write a paper reviewing the development and current state of a significant topic in the field of survey methodology. Winners of the Waksberg Award to date are Gad Nathan, Wayne Fuller, Tim Holt, Norman Bradburn, J. N. K. Rao, Alastair Scott, and Carl-Erik Särndal.

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