Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys
Survey Design Workshop
Some Features of MICS4
Questionnaires and Modules
MICS4 Survey Design Workshop
Module codes and numbering
• Each module begins with the question number “1”
preceded by two letters indicating the module
subject
e.g. HL1 (Household Listing Form)
CL4 ( Child Labour)
MN17 (Maternal and Newborn Health)
MICS4 Survey Design Workshop
Text
• Text written with SMALL CAPS to be read/asked
to the respondent
• Text in lowercase letters
– Response categories
– Cover page questions
• Text in italics in the modules are instructions
for the interviewers and not to be read out
loud.
MICS4 Survey Design Workshop
Other features
• Response categories in italics to be
customized in country
• “Questions” or filters with a light grey
background: to be completed by the
interviewer, based on previous responses or
observations. Should not be asked to the
respondent.
– Observations, filters
MICS4 Survey Design Workshop
Types of Questions
• Questions with precoded responses,
• Questions without precoded responses,
• Filters
MICS4 Survey Design Workshop
Questions with Precoded Responses
• For some questions, we can predict the types of
responses a respondent will give.
• The responses are listed in the questionnaire,
usually on the right, or below the question
• Responses are never to be read to the
respondent unless included in the question
MICS4 Survey Design Workshop
Questions with Precoded Responses
• Two types of response categories
– Numeric: Only one response can be circled
• e.g., WS5, CM1, BF2
• e.g, HC3 (precoded plus other answers allowed)
– Letter: Multiple responses can be circled
• e.g., HW3, IR2,
• e.g., IS2 (precoded plus other answers allowed)
• The number or letter(s) which corresponds to
the reply should be circled.
MICS4 Survey Design Workshop
Questions with Precoded Responses
• In some cases, precoded responses will include an
"other" category.
• Use “Other” when certain that the response does
not fit in any precoded category
• Always write the respondent's answer in the
space provided (specify: ______).
• Use margins, last page etc to provide more detail
if necessary
MICS4 Survey Design Workshop
Questions with Precoded Responses
The coding of ‘Don’t know’ and ‘other’:
• In numeric response codes
– 8, 98, 998, 9998 = Don’t know / DK
– 6, 96, 996, 9996 = Other (specify)
• In alphabetical (multiple response) codes
– X = Other (specify)
– Y = None
– Z = Don’t know / DK
MICS4 Survey Design Workshop
Questions with No Precoded Responses
• In entering the response for these questions the
respondent's answer must be written in the space
provided
• Usually a number or a date will be recorded in the
spaces provided
• e.g., HC2, HC14
• If the response has fewer digits than the number
of spaces provided, leading zeroes have to be
used
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Questions with No Precoded Responses
• Special cases: where a code is to be circled and a
number is to be recorded
– e.g., DB3, SB3
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Questions to be Completed by Interviewers
(Precoded or not precoded)
• Hour and Minutes
–
e.g., HH18, HH19
• Respondent’s characteristics
–
e.g., HL7, ED2,
• Observations
–
E.g., HW2, HW3
• Instructions to Interviewers
–
e.g., TN3, CD1-CD8
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Filters
• Filters require interviewers to look back to the
answer to previous responses, then mark an X in the
box and follow skip instructions
– e.g., TN7, ML10
• They are used to prevent a respondent from being
asked irrelevant questions.
• Interviewers should check back and mark an "X" in
the appropriate box in the filter; then, follow the
instructions.
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Skip Instructions
• Used to avoid asking questions to the respondent
which are not relevant to his/her situation
– e.g., HL11, WS1, HC11
• When a particular response makes subsequent
questions irrelevant, an instruction (usually an arrow)
is shown after the particular response directing us to
skip to the next appropriate question.
• Skip instructions have to be followed
MICS4 Survey Design Workshop