Demographic data collection in Asia (East-West Population Institute)

EWPI has also produced a total of 21 reports for a total of eight countries, as follows: census and vital registration evaluation (3 reports); population program estimates (7 reports); demographic situation reports (5 reports; and census and survey analytic reports (6 reports). In addition, the EWPI staff has assessed the CONCOR and other computer edit systems; prepared software programs to estimate fertility and infant mortality rates using the "own child" and child survivor methods, respectively; modified existing software for use in Asian countries; and helped install software programs in Korea and the Philippines. A EWPI staffer is preparing a study to improve Indonesia"s census and vital registration system. In addition, EWPI publishes "Asian and Pacific Census Forum" four times annually. All contracted items are completed except for the third year summer seminar and the 1981 census conference working group. Because of the project"s success, the evaluation team recommends a 5-month unfunded and a 2-year funded extension of the project. The team also felt, however, that the project showed a lack of foresight at the design stage and in the preparation the scope of work. The subject matter of the conferences, for example, should have been better synchronized with the progress of the national censuses. Greater emphasis on assessing data and data analysis procedures in the new scope of work is therefore urged. Further, while team judged that EWPI"s selection as a sole source was justified, it questioned the sole source procurement of the research element of the "Data Processing, Evaluation, and Analysis activity". An increase in in-country technical consultation is also recommended.