Metadata


Information and communication technology individuals


0. Registration entry for subjects


0.1 Name

Information and communication technology individuals

0.2 Subject area

Tourism, transport and IT

0.3 Responsible authority; office, division, person etc.

Business statistics
Statistics Iceland
Borgartun 21a
IS-150 Reykjavík
Fax +354 528 1299

Árni Fannar Sigurðsson
Telephone: +354 528 1266
E-mail: Arni.Sigurdsson@hagstofa.is

0.4 Purpose and history

There is a growing demand for statistics on the use of ICT (information communication technology) and the information society. In year 2002 Statistics Iceland took over a project from the Prime Minister's Office on data collection on the use of ICT within the Icelandic society. On the request of the Prime Minister's Office Gallup and then later Pricewaterhouse Coopers had conducted annual surveys on the use of a computer and the Internet by individuals domiciled in Iceland.

The aim of the data collection is to monitor changes within the society regarding the use of ICT. The survey deals with the use of IC technology in households and by individuals, where each individual represents one household. Thus every respondent has to answer questions on the IC technology in the household as well as questions on his/hers own use of a computer and the Internet.

Statistics Iceland conducted its first survey among households and individuals by the end of year 2002. Since then, annual surveys have been conducted in March each year.

0.5 Users and application

Results from the data collection are of use for everyone, who is interested in the development of the information society in Iceland. That includes the government, municipalities, international organisations and the public in general. Questionnaires are based on model questionnaires prepared by Eurostat. That makes the results presented by Statistics Iceland comparable with the results of similar surveys of other national statistical institutes within the EU as well as within the Nordic countries.

0.6 Sources

Annual CATI survey conducted by Statistics Iceland. The sample size is of the vicinity of 2,000 individuals, where every individual represents one household. The sample frame is the National Registry of Persons. Questionnaire is based on a model questionnaire prepared by Eurostat. Participation is voluntary.

0.7 Legal basis for official statistics

Icelandic law No 24/1913.

0.8 Response burden

Participation in the survey is voluntary. Average time of each interview is 10-20 minutes.

0.9 EEA and EU obligations

The data collection is carried out in compliance with the Commission Regulation No 808/2004 concerning Community statistics on the information society.

1. Contents


1.1 Description of content

The data collection is twofold, on the one hand questions are placed on the technology within the household and on the other hand on individuals' use of a computer and the Internet. The questionnaire is divided into modules.

The main modules refer to:
  • Technology in household
  • Individuals' use of a computer
  • Individuals' use of the Internet
  • Internet commerce
  • E-skills

1.2 Statistical concepts

Sample: The gross sample size is around 2,000 individuals in the age of 16-74 years.

The National Register of Persons is used as a sampling frame for the ICT survey. All Icelandic as well as foreign citizens domiciled in Iceland are registered in the National Register of Persons. Basic information such as gender, age and sample municipality are always found in this register.
Stratified random sampling without replacement is used to select individuals. Population is divided into two strata by residence. Within households with more than one member in the age of 16-74 years, one person is randomly selected, i.e. each individual represents one household.

Age. The criterion is the age the respondent has reached on the first day of the data collection period.

Child. All individuals at the age of 0-15 years are regarded as children.

Education. In the ICT survey the respondents are asked about their highest educational attainment. The answers are classified according to the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED 97). Three categories are used. The first corresponds to categories 1 and 2 of ISCED 97, the second category corresponds to categories 3 and 4 of ISCED 97 and the third category corresponds to categories 5 and 6 of ISCED 97.

Employment status. Three employment status categories are defined:
  • Students
  • Employed (employee, self-employed and unpaid family workers)
  • Others (pensioners, people fulfilling domestic tasks, unemployed etc.)

Household income. Gross monthly household income in Icelandic Krónur (ISK). Household income brackets are six. The frame of the brackets was enhanced in 2007.

Residence. Information on the municipality of residence of the respondents is obtained from The National Register of Persons subject to confirmation by the respondents. The results are shown broken down into regional categories, the capital region and regions outside of the capital region. The capital region consists of the following municipalities: Reykjavík, Seltjarnarnes, Hafnarfjörður, Álftanes, Garðabær, Kópavogur and Kjósarhreppur.


Individuals. Totals and percentages for individuals are calculated by applying weights to each answer with reference to age and sex.

Results for individuals are presented by:
Age
  • 16-24 years
  • 25-34 years
  • 35-44 years
  • 45-54 years
  • 55-64 years
  • 65-74 years

Education
  • Primary education
  • Secondary education
  • Tertiary education

Gender
  • Males
  • Females

Gender and age
  • Males 16-24 years
  • Males 25-54 years
  • Males 55-74 years
  • Females 16-24 years
  • Females 25-54 years
  • Females 55-74 years

Occupation
  • Student
  • Employed
  • Others

Residence
  • Capital region
  • Other regions


Households: Totals and percentages for households are calculated by applying weights to each answer with reference to number of household members aged 16-74 years.

Results for households are presented by:

Household type
  • Households without children aged 0-15 years
  • Households with a child/children aged 0-15 years

Household income in ISK
In 2005 and 2006 the frame of the household income brackets was:
  • Household income bracket 1: 0-149 thousand
  • Household income bracket 2: 150-299 thousand
  • Household income bracket 3: 300-449 thousand
  • Household income bracket 4: 450-599 thousand
  • Household income bracket 5: 600-749 thousand
  • Household income bracket 6: 750 thousand or more

In 2007 the frame of the household income brackets was:
  • Household income bracket 1: 0-200 thousand
  • Household income bracket 2: 201-400 thousand
  • Household income bracket 3: 401-600 thousand
  • Household income bracket 4: 601-800 thousand
  • Household income bracket 5: 801-1,000 thousand
  • Household income bracket 6: Over 1 million

Residence
  • Capital region
  • Other regions

2. Time


2.1 Reference periods

Annual data collection is conducted in the first quarter of the year. Reference time for technology in household is the date of the interview, reference time for the use of a computer and the Internet is either three or twelve months prior to the survey.

2.2 Process time

Processing of data takes 2-4 months.

2.3 Punctuality

Results are presented as soon as processing of data has been finalised.

2.4 Frequency of releases

Information technology in the Statistical Series is published once a year. No preliminary data is published.

3. Reliability and security


3.1 Accuracy and reliability

Several errors and causes of deviation are always bound to sample surveys.

3.2 Sources of errors

Sampling errors. Every sample survey entails a degree of uncertainty because of the sample not being an exact reflection of the entire registry or population.

Coverage errors. In the National Registry of Persons, there is a sizable group of people residing abroad because of work or study for more than 6 months at once per year. Only some of these people are registered under such residence. Not subtracting this group from the population results in a bias, with the estimated total population being overestimated by this quantity.

Non-response errors. In all surveys, results may include errors because of non-response in the sample being unevenly distributed among groups. The main reasons for non-response are refusals, hindrances due to illness or disability, absence from home during data collection time, or a failure to find the residence or telephone number of those in the sample.

Interviewer errors. Interviewers can record the answers of their respondents wrongly, omit questions, confuse the order of questions, or rephrase them so as to ask about something else than was intended.

Design errors. Unsatisfactory organisation and design of the survey can lead to results which do not correspond to reality. The phrasing of questions can cause misunderstandings, a different ordering of the questions can result in dissimilar answers, and the experience of the respondents from former surveys can influence their answers.

3.3 Measures on confidence limits/accuracy


4. Comparison


4.1 Comparison between periods

Results are comparable between years.

4.2 Comparison with other statistics

Questionnaire is based on a model questionnaire prepared by Eurostat. That makes the results presented by Statistics Iceland comparable with the results of similar surveys of other national statistical institutes within the EU as well as within the Nordic countries.

4.3 Coherence between preliminary and final statistics

No preliminary data is published.

5. Access to information


5.1 Forms of dissemination

  • News, released on Statistics Icelands website
  • Statistics, categorized statistical web tables
  • Statistical Series, Hagtíðindi
  • Statistical Yearbook of Iceland, Landshagir
  • Nordic publications, prepared by the statistical institutes in the five Nordic countries in cooperation with the Nordic Counsil of Ministers

5.2 Basic data; storage and usability

Data is kept in a computer data base at Statistics Iceland. Access to the confidential data is not available, yet it is possible to get specific non-confidential data from the database.

5.3 Reports

  • Statistics Icelands Statistical Series, Information technology
  • Nordic Information Society Statistics, 2005
  • Indicators for the Information Society in the Baltic Region. Action line 6, 2005
  • ICT Investments in Enterprises. Nordic Guidelines, 2004
  • Indicators for the Information Society in the Baltic Region. Action line 6, 2003
  • Nordic Information Society Statistics, 2002
  • The ICT Sector in the Nordic Countries, 2000

5.4 Other information

For further information, please contact the person in charge of the ICT statistics.
© Hagstofa �slands, �ann 30-1-2012