Questionnaires
DEVELOPMENT OF QUESTIONNAIRES
A questionnaire based on the Living Standards Measurement Study surveys was adapted for use in Azerbaijan. Significant reductions in the number of questions reflected the need to conduct the survey in a short period of time and the more limited scope of a poverty assessment as compared to a full-blown government policy analysis. Questionnaire development was done using the Russian language version. The finalized versions were translated into Azeri by SORGU personnel. A special version of the questionnaire with both Russian and English was prepared for use by data analysts.
DESCRIPTION OF QUESTIONNAIRES
The survey includes questionnaires at both the household and population point (community) levels. Population point is an administrative designation that can be a village, a "village of the town type" or a town. All households in the country belong to one population point. First stage sampling was based on population points and second stage sampling was based on the household lists in selected population points. The population point served as the community in the ASLC.
Both questionnaires reflect the content and methodology used in many LSMS surveys. The household questionnaire, was abridged significantly to conform to the time frame and purpose of the survey. LSMS surveys are often designed to facilitate the analysis of the impact of a broad range of government policies on households. The Poverty Assessment required an assessment of economic well-being of each household and several broad measures of employment, education, health, housing and other areas of household activity. The scope of questions asked in the ASLC was much narrower than for a standard LSMS especially in the field of economic activities. It covers all of the topics covered in most LSMS surveys but contains far fewer questions, and therefore, less detail. The household questionnaire collects information at the individual and household level on all aspects of life and activity. The population point questionnaire gathers information common to all households in the sampling unit, thus limiting the length of the household questionnaire. Information collected for the population point includes the type and quality of social services available, predominant economic activities, the distance to regional and national centers, and a price survey.
Household Questionnaire
The household questionnaire contains nine modules: demographic information, housing, education, health, economic activities, migration, consumption and expenditure, household property and agriculture. The entire questionnaire was administered to the head of the household. Interviews were generally carried out in the main room of the dwelling with other household members present. The household head was invited to consult with other household members but other household members were not interviewed separately. Interviewers were instructed to collect information for all people who usually reside in the dwelling, eat together and share expenses and anyone who was in the dwelling the night before the interview.
Section 1, DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION, collects the age, sex, relation to household head, marital status of all individuals, and the ID codes of the mother, father, and spouse if any of them are members of the same household so that children and parents can be linked. Section 1B gathers information on the sharing of expenses, length and reason of absence during the last 12 months. This information allows the researcher to vary, somewhat, the definition of household.
Section 2, DWELLING, gathers information on the size and type of dwelling, expenditures on rent or mortgage and utilities, source of water, heating, lighting and telephone for the household. These variables both reflect and have an impact on the health and welfare of the household members.
Section 3, EDUCATION, gathers information for all individuals 5 years and older on years of schooling and highest degree obtained. For household members who continue to study, information is collected on meals provided at school and reasons for absences of more than four weeks from school.
Section 4, HEALTH, collects, for each individual, information on health during the last 4 weeks, person from whom care was received, place where care was administered, and whether or not preventative care was received.
Section 5A, EMPLOYMENT AND INCOME, is completed for all household members 7 years and older. Information on sector, position and renumeration for primary and additional work was collected. Part 5B gathers information on search for work, and other economic activities. Part 5C gathers information on additional sources of income for the household including the sale of food products, gifts, pensions and state allowances.
Section 6, MIGRATION, gathers information for all individuals 7 years and older on years lived at current residence, previous place of residence, reason for movement to current place, official residential status, and type of work done in previous place of residence. For households that include internally displaced persons (IDPs), Section 6B gathers information on the degree of contact with people from the place of origin and assistance currently received.
Section 6C gathers information on the property that these displaced persons had before the displacement, that which they were able to bring with them and that which they lost. Section 6B and 6C represent a substantial departure from standard LSMS survey questionnaires.
Section 7, CONSUMPTION AND EXPENDITURES, gathers expenditures in the last month for 17 categories of expenditure in Section 7A and the amount spent, value of home production consumed, and value received as gifts for 20 categories of food products in Section 7B.
Section 8, LIST OF DURABLE GOODS, gathers information on durable goods currently owned by the household including year of acquisition and goods sold within the last 12 months by the household.
Section 9, AGRICULTURE, covers land ownership and agricultural activities, expenditures and revenues in Section 9A and the number and total value of agricultural assets including animals, vehicles and equipment in Section 9B.
Population Point Questionnaire
One population point questionnaire was completed for each sampling point. Interviewers were instructed to interview as many community leaders as necessary in order to complete the questionnaire.
Section 1, DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION, asks for information on population, ethnic composition, and migration.
Section 2, INFRASTRUCTURE, collects information on roads, electricity, water, sewer, and garbage collection in the community. There are also questions on the time and expense of a trip to the capital and regional center and on telephones, TV and newspapers in the community.
Section 3, ECONOMY, collects information on major economic activities, unemployment, the closing of state enterprises and the degree of independent economic activity.
Section 4, DISPLACED PERSONS, gathers information on the presence and living conditions of Internally Displaced Persons.
Section 5, EDUCATION, collects information on the proportion of girls and boys in school and the reason for non-attendance, the condition of the schools and whether there have been improvements or deterioration in the last 5 years.
Section 6, HEALTH, collects information on health problems of adults, children, and the effectiveness of health services, the place where women most often give birth, the existence of immunization campaigns in the last five years and the availability of drugs.
Section 7, AGRICULTURE, collects information on crops, agricultural activity, conditions and prevailing wage rates in the sector.
Section 8, INSTITUTIONS, collects information on the institutions in the community and for those that do not exist in the community, the distance and time required to reach the nearest one.
Finally, for each sampling point, three observations are made on the prices of 33 common food and household items.