Methodology and Quality Update

Latest Update on Methodology and Quality

01/07/2025

Statistical Presentation

Data description

The ICT Access and Use Survey for Households and Individuals presents data on the access and use of ICT for households and individuals in Saudi Arabia, a survey conducted to collect data on key characteristics as follows:
•    The availability of ICT devices in households.
•    Households' access to ICTs.
•    Extent of ICT usage among individuals.
•    Internet domains that have been used by individuals.
•    Places where the internet was used by individuals.
•    Reasons why people don't use ICT.

Classifications

The following classification is applied in the Survey of Access and Use of ICT by Households and Individuals.
Saudi Standard Classification of Occupations(ISCO_08):
A statistical classification based on the International Classification  (ISCO_08) that provides a system for the classification and compilation of professional information obtained through censuses, statistical surveys, and administrative records.
This classification is used in the Survey of Access and Use of ICT by Households and Individuals to categorize workers based on their occupations.
Saudi Classification of Specializations and Educational Levels:
A statistical classification based on the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED_11) and (ISCED_13) for education and training, issued by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). It serves as the reference classification for organizing educational programs and qualifications according to their levels and fields of study. It comprehensively covers all educational programs, levels, and methods, spanning from early childhood education to higher education levels.
This classification is used in the Survey of Access and Use of ICT by Households and Individuals to classify individuals 15 years and older according to their majors and education levels.
National Code of Countries and Nationalities (3166 ISO – codes Country):
A statistical classification based on the international standard  (ISO 3166_Country codes), which is a standard issued by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO of the UN), and this classification gives numeric and literal codes for the world’s (248) countries, based on the classification of countries.  
The classification is used in the Survey of Access and Use of ICT by Households and Individuals to classify Saudi or non-Saudi individuals .
Metadata is collected through interviews, so that outputs can be produces in accordance with all relevant classifications.
Classifications are available on the GASTAT website:  www.stats.gov.sa

Statistical concepts and definitions

Terms and concepts for the Survey of Access and Use of ICT by Households and Individuals:
•    Information and Communication Technology (ICT): 
It is the description of the tools and methods of accessing information technology media and performing data retrieval, storage, organization, and production processing methods, as well as describing the means of displaying and exchanging information through electronic and manual methods, and some information technology tools include computers, scanners, digital cameras, telephones, faxes, CDs, and software, such as. Database system and multimedia applications.
•    Access and usage of Information and Communication Technology (ICT): 
It is important to distinguish between what we mean by access to information and communication technology (ICT) and the use of this technology. ICT access refers to the availability of this technology to a household. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) use refers to the use of ICT by one or more household members, whether at home or elsewhere.
•    Internet: 
The internet is a vast network of interconnected smaller networks, allowing anyone connected to it to browse and access information (if permitted). It serves as a means of communication and information exchange between individuals and institutions. Internet service can be accessed in several ways, including digital subscriber line, mobile modem, mobile bundles, or fiber optics.
•    Social media networks: 
They are a group of websites on the internet, primarily aimed at establishing communication among a group of individuals or establishments across various parts of the world. The services provided by most social media platforms include: The ability to communicate in writing with other individuals, as well as through voice and video. Examples of such platforms include Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat... etc)
•    Email: 
It is a tool that allows network users locally and globally to exchange messages, texts, and attachments from one computer to another, either within the establishment or outside it.
•    Blog: 
Short for "weblog," it is a discussion or informational website published on the World Wide Web, consisting of individual entries ("posts") arranged in reverse chronological order (from newest to oldest).

Data sources

The main source of data for ICT access and use statistics for households and individuals: 
•    It is a survey of ICT access and use for households and individuals. 
The main variables published for the Survey of ICT Access and Use for Households and Individuals publication are:
•    Percentage of households with internet access.
•    Percentage of households with a computer.
•    Percentage of households with a television set.
•    Percentage of individuals 15 years and older who owned a phone in the last 3 months.
•    Percentage of individuals 15 years and older who used a phone in the last 3 months.
•    Percentage of individuals 15 years and older who have used the internet in the last 3 months.
•    Percentage of individuals 15 years and older who purchased goods and services online in the last 3 months.

Designing the data collection tool

The ICT access and use survey form, concepts, definitions, and classifications were designed based on the international standards of the International Telecommunication Union's “Measuring ICT Access and Use by Households and Individuals” manual, 2020 edition.

Questionnaire test (cognitive test)

Not available.

Statistical population

The statistical population for Access and Use of ICT by Households and Individuals consists of all resident households (Saudi and non-Saudi) and resident individuals (Saudi and non-Saudi) during the reference period of the survey in Saudi Arabia. 

Sample Design

The sample was designed with a two-stage stratified cluster systematic random sampling method, in which in the first stage a random sample was selected from the primary sampling units (counting areas) for each stratum of the adopted sampling design In the second stage, a systematic random sample of housing units (households) is selected within each selected initial sampling unit.
To increase the efficiency of the sample and enhance its representation of the target population, the primary sampling units in the sample frame were classified into homogeneous strata as follows: In order to obtain more accurate results compared to a simple random sample of the same size, in addition to providing a sufficient number of households at publishable levels with acceptable precision, the governorates were used as actual strata.
The sample size was estimated at 40,816 households across the Kingdom. The total sample was estimated for the administrative regions, and then the sample of administrative regions was distributed to the strata using proportional allocation within each administrative region. 

Table1: Distribution of the sample across administrative regions

The sample size was calculated using an acceptable margin of error of 3% at the administrative district level and a confidence level of 0.95%.

Statistical unit (sampling unit)

The statistical unit in the Survey of ICT Access and Use for Households and Individuals is households and individuals.

Data collection

Data collection from the survey:
Data for the 2022 Survey of ICT Access and Usage in Establishments is collected through Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviews (CATI).
The data is stored in GASTAT's databases after undergoing auditing and review processes following approved statistical methods and recognized quality standards. If errors or discrepancies are detected, the data is cross-referenced with the data source for correction or clarification.

Data collection frequency 

Annual.

Reference area

The Survey of ICT Access and Use for Households and Individuals covers 13 administrative regions in Saudi Arabia.

Reference period (time reference)

Reference period to the variables or dataset as following:
•    Household metadata, housing characteristics, household ICT access data, and general characteristics of individuals within the household, such as social and educational status, are based on the date of contact with the household. 
•    Operational status data is based on the seven days prior to contacting the household.
•    Data on household access to ICT, as well as individual ownership and use of mobile phones, computer use, and internet use, are based on the three months preceding the implementation of the survey.

Base period

Not applicable.

Measurement unit

The unit used in the Survey of Access and Use of ICT by Households and Individuals is the percentage, such as: Percentage of households with internet access.

Time coverage

The data is available from the year 2017 to 2024.

Publication frequency

Annual.

Statistical processing

Error detection

This phase includes:
•    Detecting outliers: These are values that differ significantly from the general pattern of the data, often due to input or response error. 
•    Detecting logical inconsistencies: Such as having an age of less than 10 years for a person registered as working. 
•    Detect missing or empty values: Check whether they are required or optional.

Data integration and matching from multiple sources 

Since the data is available from a single source, no data integration processes are performed.

Imputation and calibration

The compensation and calibration procedures were implemented as part of the statistical processing phase according to the GSBPM model, with the aim of improving data quality and minimizing bias due to partial or complete non-response. The compensation process involved the application of certain methodologies to replace missing values, while for calibration, the design weights of the respondent units were adjusted to correspond to known totals or population distributions to improve the representativeness of the sample and ensure the consistency of the estimates.
These processes took into account statistical quality standards such as impartiality, consistency, and comparability, and all processing steps were documented for transparency, reproducibility, and verification.

Seasonal adjustments

Not applicable, only final results will be published.

Adjustment of preliminary results 

Preliminary results were carefully reviewed for accuracy and consistency, with limited adjustments made where needed, based on statistical analysis and supporting sources. This was done within a systematic framework that takes into account quality standards.

Used Resources

Quality dimensions

Suitability

A standard that measures the extent to which the product meets the needs of users.

User needs 

Internal users in the General Authority for Statistics of data of the Survey of ICT Access and Use by Households and Individuals:
•    International Indicators Department.
•    Partnerships and client support Department.
Some several external users and beneficiaries greatly benefit from The Survey of ICT Access and Use by Households and Individuals data, including:
•    Government entities.
•    Regional and international organizations.
•    Research institutions.
•    Media.
•    Individuals.

Completeness 

The data from the Survey of ICT Access and Use by Households and Individuals is based on a primary source in order to provide comprehensive ICT information, and the status of the data is complete.

Accuracy and reliability 

A standard that measures how close the calculations or estimates are to the exact or true values that reflect reality.

Overall accuracy 

•    The data collected is improved through the researchers, that have been selected according to a set of practical and objective criteria and training program related to the field of work.
•    Alerting, prevention, and correction rules are applied during the data collection process to the electronic questionnaire for ICT access and use for households and individuals in order to improve the quality of the data.
•    Data is checked with previous years to identify any significant changes in the data.
•    The internal consistency of the data is checked before it is finalized.
•    The links between variables are checked and coherence between different data series is confirmed.

Timeliness and punctuality 

A standard that measures the time gap between the availability of information and the occurrence of the event.
However, timeliness reflects the time difference between the date of data publication and the target date when it is actually published.

Timeliness 

GASTAT uses the Special Data Dissemination Standard (SDDS) issued by the International Monetary Fund. According to this Standard, all statistics agencies are required to publish data on an annual basis, and with a delay of not more than mid of year (180 days) after the end of the reference period. If the data are from different source, they may be published in a different frequency.

Punctuality 

The publication is done according to the publication dates in the statistical calendar published for the Household Income and Expenditure Survey on the website page of the General Authority for Statistics.
The data are available at the expected time, as scheduled in the statistical release calendar, If the publication is delayed, reasons shall be provided.

Coherence and comparability

Statistics should be consistent internally and over time, and logically interconnected across scope and statistical domains, meaning that data should be comparable across regions and countries as well as across different time periods for the same region, and data from diverse sources can be combined and used interchangeably.

Comparability - geographical

The data is geographically comparable.

Comparability - over time 

The survey began in 2017 and is an annual survey that is carried out periodically. The survey relies on a clear methodology and comparable time series, allowing data to be compared over time:
•    2020:
The transition to computer-assisted telephone interviews (CATI) was made due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Coherence- cross domain

Not applicable.

Coherence- sub-annual and annual statistics 

Not applicable.

Coherence- National Accounts 

Not applicable.

Coherence- internal 

The Survey of ICT Access and Use by Households and Individuals estimates have full internal coherence, as they are all based on the same corpus of microdata, and they are calculated using the same estimation methods.

Accessibility and clarity

The ability for users to access data, the availability of accurate or complete data, and the availability of a methodology and quality report.

Press releases

The announcements for each publication are available on the statistical calendar as mentioned in 10.1. The press releases can be viewed on the website of GASTAT on the link: 
https://stats.gov.sa/news

Publications

GASTAT issues publications and reports on the Survey of ICT Access and Use by Households and individuals regularly within a pre-prepared dissemination plan and is published on GASTAT’s website. GASTAT is keen to publish its publications in a way that serves all users of different types, including publications in different formats that contain (publication tables, data graphs, indicators, metadata, methodology, and questionnaires) in both English and Arabic.
The results of access and use of ICT by households and individuals are available on:
https://www.stats.gov.sa/statistics

On-line database

The data is published on the statistical database:
GASTAT (stats.gov.sa)

Microdata accessibility

Accurate data is unit-level disaggregated data obtained from multiple sources such as sample statistical surveys, general population and housing censuses, and administrative systems, providing detailed information about the characteristics of individuals, families, business entities, and geographical areas, supporting the construction and development of statistical indicators and scientific research.
The different types of microdata files to meet different information needs::
•    Public use: 
It consists of sets of records containing information on individuals, households, or business entities anonymized in such a way that the respondent cannot be identified either directlysuch as: (name, address, contact number, identity number etc.) or indirectly (by combining different - especially rare - characteristics of respondents) such as: (age, occupation, education etc.).
•    Scientific use:
These files established based on specific methodology asked by data requester to extract the datasets with specific characteristics used for strategic studies and decision making as well scientific research purposes on individuals, households and enterprises with no direct identifiers, which have been subject to control methods to protect confidentiality.
Qualified users who meet the standards and procedures of confidentiality protection can access the files of scientific use of accurate data through the platform "ITAHA" of the General Authority for Statistics, while the most sensitive data for use is shared by visiting the accurate data laboratory within a secure environment managed by the Authority.

References and standards

Concepts, definitions, issues and classifications are based on the international standards of the International Telecommunication Union's “Measuring ICT Access and Use by Households and Individuals” manual, 2020 edition.
International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Edition 2020

Quality assurance

GASTAT takes the following principles into consideration: Impartiality, ensuring that the statistical product is user-oriented, maintaining the quality of processes and outputs, enhancing the effectiveness of statistical operations, and reducing the burden on respondents. 
Data validation is carried out through procedures and quality controls that are implemented at different stages throughout the process such as: (data entry, data collection, and other final controls).

Quality assessment

GASTAT performs all statistical activities according to a national model (Generic Statistical Business Process Model – GSBPM). According to the GSBPM, the final stage of statistical activities is overall evaluation using information gathered in each stage or sub-process. This information is used to prepare the evaluation report, which outlines all the quality issues related to the specific statistical activity and serves as input for improvement actions.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality - Policy

According to Royal Decree No. 23 dated 07/12/1397, data must always be kept confidential, and must be used by GASTAT for statistical purposes only.
Therefore, the data is protected in the data servers of GASTAT.

Confidentiality - Data Treatment

Data of SMEs survey are presented in right tables in order to summarize, understand, as well as extract their results. Moreover, to compare them with other data, and to obtain statistical significance about the selected study population. However, referring to such data indicated in tables is much easier than going back to check the original questionnaire that may include some data like: names and addresses of individuals, and names of data providers, which violates data confidentiality of statistical data.
“Anonymity of data” is one of the most important procedures. To keep data confidential,
GASTAT removed information on individual persons, households, or business entities such a way that the respondent cannot be identified either directly such as: (Names, addresses, contact numbers, or identification numbers.. etc.) or indirectly (by combining different - especially rare - characteristics of respondents: (age, occupation, education etc.).

Dissemination policy

Statistical calendar

The Survey of ICT Access and Use by Households and Individuals has been included in the statistical calendar.

User access

One of GASTAT’s objectives is to better meet its clients' needs by providing them with the results immediately upon the release of the Access and Use of ICT by Households and Individuals Publication.
It also receives questions and inquiries from clients about the publication and its results through various communication channels, such as:
•    GASTAT official website:  www.stats.gov.sa
•    GASTAT official e-mail address:  info@stats.gov.sa
•    Client support e-mail address:  info@stats.gov.sa
•    Official visits to GASTAT’s official head office in Riyadh or one of its branches in Saudi Arabia.
•    Official letters.
•    Statistical telephone: (199009).