The Census was undertaken using a mixed-mode approach to data collection. Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) was mainly used, with tablets. When this technology failed in the field, paper questionnaires were used to record the information, which was subsequently entered on tablets or computers. Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) was also employed in the latter stages of enumeration, as a means to ensure that all available methods of collecting data was utilised, given the challenges. The software used for CAPI was Surveys Solution (developed by the World Bank). The Census questionnaire (which was developed by late 2018), was programmed into CAPI by two of the IT Officers in the BSS, using this software in 2019.
Data transmitted to the Census server by Census Enumerators were directed to their respective Census Supervisors for checking electronically. Any work with errors was rejected to the Census Enumerator for correction. Accepted work was forwarded to Senior Supervisors for final review and approval. Approved work was then sent to the Coders, for the specific fields to be actioned – such as numeric fields for country, occupation and industry.
See the 2021 POPULATION AND HOUSING CENSUS
REPORT published by Barbados Statistical Service.