Quality, Methods & Harmonisation Tool
The Quality Methods and Harmonisation Tool (QMHT) has been designed as a 'stand alone' tool for managers to use in order to evaluate surveys and outputs. It offers a means of identifying areas needing further examination; in essence, it is a tool that asks the questions methodologists would. It also provides a way of collating information on survey and output processes and methods to identify common practice.
This version of the tool is a prototype, that has been developed by the Quality Centre in ONS Methodology Directorate with assistance from two other government departments and business areas in ONS. It uses many ideas from a previous Self-Assessment Checklist developed for the GSS and also from a Eurostat model designed for surveys only. Feedback from its first six months of use will be used to refine the tool.
The tool encourages managers to identify and prioritise areas needing improvement, so that they can plan how to address these in a focused way. It is also being piloted as an alternative way to notify Survey Control Unit about new surveys, and as a first step in carrying out Triennial/Quinquennial reviews of surveys to business and local authorities.
If you would like to know more about QMHT or would like a copy please email jacqui.jones@ons.gsi.gov.uk or bronwen.coyle@ons.gsi.gov.uk
