Statistical Methods, Standards and Guidelines

37 Distribution and use of income accounts

These consist of a set of articulated accounts showing how incomes are: . Generated by production . Distributed to institutional units with claims on the value added created by production . Redistributed among institutional units, mainly by government units through social security contributions and benefits and taxes

. Eventually used by households, government units or non-profit institutions serving households (NPISHs) for purposes of final consumption or saving.

Accumulation accounts These are flow accounts that record the acquisition and disposal of financial and non-financial assets and liabilities by institutional units through transactions or as a result of other events:

 The capital account records acquisitions and disposals of non-financial assets as a result of transactions with other units or internal bookkeeping transactions linked to production (changes in inventories and consumption of fixed capital).  The financial account records acquisitions and disposals of financial assets and liabilities, also through transactions.  A third account, the other changes in assets account, consists of two sub-accounts. The first, the other changes in volume of assets account, records changes in the amounts of the assets and liabilities held by institutional units or sectors as a result of factors other than transactions; for example, destruction of fixed assets by natural disasters. The second, the revaluation account, records those changes in the values of assets and liabilities that result from changes in their prices.

Balance sheets The balance sheets show the values of the stocks of assets and liabilities held by institutional units or sectors at the beginning and end of an accounting period. As already noted, the values of the assets and liabilities held at any moment in time vary automatically whenever any transactions, price changes or other changes affecting the volume of assets or liabilities held take place. These are all recorded in one or another of the accumulation accounts so that the difference between the values in the opening and closing balance sheets is entirely accounted for within the System, provided, of course, that the assets and liabilities recorded in

Statistical Methods, Standards and Guidelines

38 the balance sheets are valued consistently with the transactions and o ther changes - that is, at current prices.

Activities and transactions The accounts of the System are designed to provide analytically useful information about the behaviour of institutional units and the activities in which they engage, such as production, consumption and the accumulation of assets. They usually do this by recording the values of the goods, services or assets involved in the transactions between institutional units that are associated with these activities rather than by trying to record or measure the physical processes directly. For example, the accounts do not record the physical consumption of goods and services by households - the eating of food or the burning of fuel within a given time period. Instead, they record the ex penditures that households make on final consumption goods and services or, more generally, the values of the goods and services they acquire through transactions with other units, whether purchased or not.

Data on transactions provide the basic source material from which the values of the various elements in the accounts are built up or derived. The use of transactions data has important advantages. First, the prices at which goods and services are exchanged in transactions between buyers and sellers on markets provide the information needed for valuing, directly or indirectly, all the items in the accounts. Secondly, a transaction that takes place between two different institutional units has to be recorded for both parties to the transaction and th erefore generally appears twice in a system of macroeconomic accounts. This enables important linkages to be established in the System.

3.4 GOVERNMENT FINANCE STATISTICS (GFS) Government Finance Statistics (GFS) is the International Monetary Fund standard for publishing financial statistics within the Government system. It is designed to provide statistics that enable policymakers and analysts to study developments in the financial operations, fiscal position, and liquidity situation of the ge neral government sector or the public sector in a consistent and systematic manner.

Uses of the GFS system The GFS system is designed to provide statistics that enable policymakers and analysts to study developments in the financial operations, financial position, and liquidity situation of

Statistical Methods, Standards and Guidelines

39 the general government sector or the public sector in a consistent and systematic manner. The GFS analytic framework can be used to analyze the operations of a specific level of government and transactions between levels of government as well as the entire general government or public sector.

Compilation Framework and Data Sources The GFS 2001 system extends the cash-based analytical framework (GFS 1986) by emphasizing the recording of data on an accrual basis to give a comprehensive picture of government activities by recording non-cash transactions, internal transactions, other economic flows, and any payment arrears. It provides an integrated framework which can be used to analyze the operations of a specific level of government and transactions between levels of government as well as the entire general government sector.

Tanzania‟s General Government sector is composed of Ministries, Departments and Agencies

• Central Government, Regional and Local Government Authorities and extra-budgetary units.

Since financial year 2000/2001 GFS 1986 system has been used for budget preparation and accounting for central government (Tanzania Mainland) and later was extended to other government units (including local government). In 2009/10 the central government prepared its budget in GFSM 2001 system. To date, GFS system is used in all Ministries, Regions and independent governments departments (including Zanzibar government). Also to a large extent most of the extra-budgetary units and Local Government Authorities use this system.

The data categories, sources and responsible institutions are as indicated in the following table: Data Category
Data Source
Responsible
Revenue

Tax Revenue
Monthly Flash Report, Annual statement of Revenue
CPAD, ACGEN, PMO-RALG
Social Contribution
Payroll Report
CB
Grants
Monthly Reports for Grant
CEF, ACGEN
Other Revenue
Monthly Flash Report, Annual statement of Revenue
CPAD, ACGEN, PMO-RALG
Expenses

Compensation of Employees (Wages and Salaries)
Payroll Report, Expenditure Flash Report
CB, ACGEN, PMO-RALG
Consumption of Fixed Capital (CFC)
Statement of use of Assets
DGAM, ACGEN
Interest Payments
Amortization Report, Monthly ACGEN

Statistical Methods, Standards and Guidelines

40 Expenditure Report
Subsidies TR Statement (PE & OC)
TR, CB, PMO-RALG
Grants
Statement of transfers (e.g to other levels of government, etc)
CB, PMO-RALG
Social Benefits
Statement of transfers (e.g to households)
CB
Other Expenses
Statements of Expenditure
CB, ACGEN, PMO-RALG
Non Financial Assets (NFA)
Fixed assets

DGAM, ACGEN, PMO- RALG
Inventories

DGAM, ACGEN, PMO- RALG
Valuables

BOT
Non-Produced Assets

Use of goods and services

Financial Assets (FA)
Domestic
Currency and deposits
Securities other than share
Loans
Shares and other equities
Insurance Technical Reserves
Financial derivatives
Other account receivables
Foreign
Currency and deposits
Securities other than share
Loans
Shares and other equities (Public Corporation only)
Insurance Technical Reserves
Financial derivatives
Other account payables
Expenditure Flash Report, Consolidated Annual Financial Statements

ACGEN, PMO-RALG
BOT, ACGEN

Classification of GFSM 1986 data to the detailed GFSM 2001 Tables The reclassification of GFSM 1986 data to the classification categories of the GFSM 2001 framework is seen as a first step in the transition to the new GFS methodology. Broadly, the relationships between the GFSM 1986 and 2001 classification systems are as follows:

Statistical Methods, Standards and Guidelines

41 Broad overview of relationships between GFSM 1986 and GFSM 2001 Classification Systems

GFSM 1986

GFSM 2001

Net Acquisition of Financial Assets Net Incurrence of liabilities Financing Total Net Borrowing Total change in cash deposits, and securities held for liquidity purposes Total Revenue and Grants Excludes sales of fixed capital assets, stocks, land and intangible assets Revenue Total expenditure Expense Sales of fixed capital assets, stocks, land and intangible assets Current expenditure plus capital transfers Acquisition of fixed capital assets, purchases of stocks, land and intangible assets Lending minus repayments Net acquisition of non-financial assets

Statistical Methods, Standards and Guidelines

42 PART III: STATISTICAL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

NBS and other MDAs engage in data production. This part describes some surveys and non surveys in data production.

4.0 SOCIAL STATISTICS

4.1 TANZANIA HIV/AIDS & MALARIA INDICATOR SURVEY (THIMS)

Objectives and Uses of Product

The main objectives of the THMIS are to: i) Provide information on the prevalence of HIV infection among Tanzanian adults, and the prevalence of malaria infection and anaemia among children under age five years.

ii) Know the extent to which these indicators vary by characteristics such as age, sex, region, education, marital status, and poverty status.

Uses of Product The findings of the survey are used to:
i) Evaluate ongoing health related programmes and to develop new strategies. ii) Provides updated estimates of selected basic demographic and health indicators covered in previous surveys.
iii) Provide information to assist policy makers and programme implementers to monitor and evaluate existing programmes and to design new strategies for combating the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Tanzania.

Methodology

Sampling Frame The THMIS utilises a two-stage sample design. The first stage involves selecting sample points (clusters) that are enumeration areas (EA‟s) of Population and Housing Census.

A household listing operation is undertaken in all the selected areas prior to the fieldwork.

Statistical Methods, Standards and Guidelines

43

The second stage involves systematic sampling of households from the updated lists of households.

Questionnaire Two types of questionnaire s are administered: Household Questionnaire and Individual Questionnaire based on the standard HIV/AIDS Indicator Survey and Malaria Indicator Survey.

The Household Questionnaire is used to list all the usual members and visitors of selected households. Some basic information are collected on the characteristics of each person listed,
including his or her age, sex, education, and relationship to the head of the household, also to identify women and men who are eligible for the individual interview and HIV testing.

The Individual Questionnaire is used to collect information from all women and men age 15-49.

Training of Field Staff
Field staff training includes class presentations, mock interviews, field practice and tests. Field practice in malaria and anaemia testing and HIV dried blood spot collection are carried out towards the end of the training period.

Biomarkers THMIS incorporates three „biomarkers‟ for anaemia testing, malaria testing and HIV testing.

Field Work The field work exercise is carried out in form of teams, where each team consists of a team leader, enumerators, and a driver. Field work takes a period between three and four months.

Data Processing The processing of data consists of office editing, coding of open -ended questions, data entry, and editing of computer-identified errors. Normally, data processing is conducted concurrently with the data collection exercise.

Dried blood sample s are transported for test to Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences (MUCHS) for laboratory tests.

Statistical Methods, Standards and Guidelines

44 Quality Control Quality control teams periodically visit teams in the field to check their work and re-interview some households (spot interviews).

Analysis and Report After all completed questionnaires have been checked, entered and finalized and analysis completed, at least two reports have to be prepared: Preliminary rep ort and final report. Primary report has to be brief and consists primarily of major HIV and malaria indicators. The final report is more detailed.

Dissemination and Utilisation of Results A National dissemination seminar is conducted after completion of report writing. Zonal and regional level disseminations are also done when funds are available.

4.2 TANZANIA DEMOGRAPHIC AND HEALTH SURVEY (TDHS)

Objective and use of product The principal objective of Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS) is to collect data on
household characteristics, fertility levels and preferences, awareness and use of family planning methods, childhood mortality, maternal and child health, breastfeeding practices, antenatal care, childhood immunisation and diseases, nutritional status of young children and women, malaria prevention and treatment, women‟s status, female circumcision, sexual activity, knowledge and behaviour regarding HIV/AIDS, domestic violence, fistula, maternal mortality, ownership and use of mosquito bed nets and other STIs.

Methodology

Sample Design
The sample for the TDHS is designed to provide estimates for the entire country, urban and rural areas of the Tanzania Mainland and for Tanzania Zanzibar. A representative probability sample is selected in two stages. In the first stage, clusters are selected from a list of enumeration areas from the Population and Housing Census. In the second stage, a complete household listing exercise carried out within all the selected clusters, then households are systematically selected for participation in the survey.

Statistical Methods, Standards and Guidelines

45 Questionnaires
Three questionnaires are used for TDHS: the Household Questionnaire, the Women‟s Questionnaire, and the Men‟s Questionnaire. The Household Questionnaire is used to list all the usual members and visitors in the selected households some basic information are collected on the characteristics of each person listed, including age, sex, education, and relationship to the head of the household. The main purpose of the Household Questionn aire is to identify women and men who are eligible for the individual interview. The Women‟s Questionnaire was used to collect information from all women age 15 -49. The Men‟s Questionnaire is administered to all men age 15-49 living in every third household in the TDHS sample. The Men‟s Questionnaire collects much of the same information found in the Women‟s Questionnaire, but did not contain a detailed reproductive history or questions on maternal and child health.

Biomarker Testing The TDHS consists of four biomarker testing; Height and Weight Measurement, Anaemia Testing, Vitamin “A” testing and Iodine Testing.

Pre-test All elements of the survey are to be pretested prior to the main survey.

Training of Field Staff The training is conducted following the DHS training procedures, including class presentations, mock interviews, tests and field practice. Field practice in anthropometric measurements and biomarkers are carried out toward the end of the training period.

Fieldwork Field work is done in fo rm of teams, of which each consists of female interviewers, male interviewers, a supervisor, a field editor, and a driver. The field editor and supervisor are responsible for reviewing all questionnaires for quality and consistency check before the team‟s departure from the cluster.

Data Processing Data processing includes office editor, coding of open -ended questions, data entry, and editing of computer identified -errors, data entry and editing accomplished by CSPro software. The Dried

Statistical Methods, Standards and Guidelines

46 Blood Spots (DBS), urine and salt samples transported to TFNC to be tested. The samples are to be logged into the CSPro Test Tracking System database.

4.3 TANZANIA DISABILITY SURVEY Objective of product The objective of the Tanzania Disability Survey (TDS) is to determine the prevalence of disability in the country and to determine living conditions among people with activity limitations.

Use of Product The findings of the survey are used as a contribution to the improvement of the living conditions among people with a ctivity limitations in Tanzania; the findings also initiate a discussion on the concepts and understanding of “disability” and monitor the impact of government policies, programmes and donor support on the well being of the population with activity limitations.

Methodology

Sampling Design The survey covers the whole of the United Republic of Tanzania and produces estimates at regional level. Information is collected from all selected households and individuals with and without disability (measured as activity limitations).
The primary sampling unit for the survey is the census enumeration area (EA) and the ultimate sampling unit are the individual household members. Disability survey utilizes a three -stage systematic stratified random sampling design, i nvolving clusters (EAs), households and individual household members.

Sampling Frame The sampling frame of clusters to be used is the list of all enumeration areas (EAs) generated during the 2002 Population and Housing Census. EAs in each region are listed following the census coding system and a target sample is selected using probability proportional to size. The EA maps and other administrative information are used to identify the boundaries and features of the selected EAs. For households, the samplin g frame should be the list of households (heads) constructed for each selected EA. To ensure a random scattered sample, the listing of households should be done in a serpentine manner from one end of the EA to another end.

Statistical Methods, Standards and Guidelines

47 Sample Size Determination A total number of clusters must be selected. The targeted sample per cluster should be determined. The selection of EAs should follow the Probability Proportion al to Size (PPS) sampling while the selection of households and individuals follow a simple random sa mpling procedure. The random spread of households is necessary for achieving a non-clustered sample.

Data Collection Disability survey uses three types of questionnaires. First, Household Questionnaire, which attempt to collect basic socio -economic condi tions of usual household members and visitors. The questionnaire also includes screening questions which used to determine persons with disabilities.

The second questionnaire is Adult Questionnaire which is used to collect information from all person aged 15 years and above who were identified in the household questionnaire as having some form of disability.

The Children Questionnaire is the third instrument which is used to collect information from all children identified as having disabilities but co llect more or less the same information in the adult questionnaire.

Training of Field Staff The training involves both theory and practise. Organisations of People with Disability are represented by participants who have a responsibility of clarifying ter ms used in the questionnaires. Besides participating in training representatives from Organisations of People with Disabilities is also part of supervisory teams.

Field work The field work includes map reading and listing exercise, the supervisors and en umerators must be trained on map reading and listing. Supervisors should ensure that all households in the EA listed according to the given instructions and EA map. Supervisors are also responsible for selecting households to be interviewed.

Statistical Methods, Standards and Guidelines

48 Data Collection Data collection is conducted in teams, each team consist of supervisor, enumerators and a driver. Supervisors are responsible for the overall administrative work in the field including checking the quality of the questionnaires before departing from the cluster.

Data Processing Data processing starts concurrently with the fieldwork. The data processing personnel includes supervisors and a questionnaire administrator, who ensures that the expected numbers of questionnaires from all clusters are receiv ed; office editors and data entrants. The CsPro computer package is used for data entry.

4.4 POPULATION AND HOUSING CENSUS

Objective and use The main objective of the census is to provide the Government and other stakeholders with essential statistics on the population, in terms of demographic, social and economic characteristics, housing conditions and household amenities. The population and housing census‟ data is an important input for the preparation of economic and development policies, monitorin g the improvement in the quality of life of the population, as well as developing a system of sustainable development in general.

Methodology

Census Budget The cost of Census exercise is covered by the Government and development partners.

Census Cartographic Work Strategies for development of census maps include: Delineation of Enumeration Area (EA), boundaries, preparation of census field map and acquisition of spatial data and development of Geographical Information System (GIS). Census mapping methodo logy includes the application of digital spatial data in the delineation of EAs to improve the quality of the work in terms of accuracy.

Statistical Methods, Standards and Guidelines

49 Pilot Census A pilot census is conducted to assess the whole process of census and P ost Enumeration Survey (PES) operation. The pilot census determines the workload of enumeration, logistic support, enumeration procedures, data processing and acceptability by the public in general. Administrative control and management issues also tested through the pilot census.

Staff Recruitment and Training of Field Staff Recruitment and training of enumerators during enumeration is given a special attention as large number of staff is required. Traditionally, primary school teachers have been involved as enumerators/supervisors. Supervisors and enumerators are trained at regional level.

Census Enumeration Census enumeration is an important operation which determines the success or failure of a census. Quality of census depends on how the exercise is conducted. Enumeration involves h ouse to house visit by trained numerators using structured questionnaire with the objective of enumerating all persons in the country.

Data Processing Operational control procedures are equally important in guaranteeing that all data are processed and that no data are dropped or duplicated. Data processing exercise is done through scanning technology and computers for manual data entry for questionnaires that for some reasons will be rejected by scanner.

Data Analysis and Dissemination Data analysis and dissemination is undertaken after completion of data processing and ensuring that data is clean. The analysis is undertaken by teams of experts from Government Ministries, Research Institutions and Higher Learning and Training Institutions. A number of expe rts from within and outside the country provide technical assistance.

Report Writing Preliminary report is prepared by professionals from NBS and OCGS staff and the main report is prepared by professionals from NBS, OCGS and other ministries.

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50

4.5 EDUCATION AND HEALTH STATISTICS

Objective and Use of Product: The health and education statistics are inputs to the Economic Survey Report which is produced annually by the Ministry of Finance.

Methodology

Method of Data Collection The education data are collected using questionnaires. These questionnaires are sent to the Regional Statistical Offices for distribution to the Higher Learning and Training Institutions in each region. These questionnaires are filled -in by a responsible person in the respective institution under the supervision of the Regional Statistical Managers (RSM) and headquarter supervisor for quality assurance.

Health Health Statistics are collected from the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare by staff from the Department of Social and Demographic Statistics. The health data and information that is collected and compiled includes:  The number of health professionals,
 Ownership of health facilities,
 The total health facilities according to ownership (Private, Government, Government agencies and Religious Health Facilities),
 The total number of health professional students who passed their exams, and  The number of patients attended by different health facilities annually.

Education The education data and information collected and compiled includes:  The yearly total enrolment according to courses,
 The total number of teachers in a given year,  The total number of students, and
 The number of lecturers in all higher learning institutions.

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51

These statistics are usually updated every year to facilitate the production of the Economic Survey Report produced annually. As such , these data are collected from the second week of January and submitted to the National Accounts Department in March for further submission to the Ministry of Finance. They are expected to reach the Ministry of Finance not later than mid-April every year.

4.6 HOUSEHOLD BUDGET SURVEY (HBS)

Objective and Use of Product A household budget survey is intended to collect, compile, analyze and facilitate dissemination of numerical information on household income, consumption and expenditure. Basically, the aims and objectives of the household budget survey are to produce information that will track the effectiveness of various interventions and policies towards the fight a gainst poverty in Tanzania since mid-1990s.

Methodology

Sample design The HBS uses a two stage sampling design with the village as Primary Sampling Unit (PSU) in rural areas and an enumeration area as a PSU in urban areas. Households are the secondary sampling units. The sample of households is divided into 12 sub-samples to be interviewed each month of a survey to capture seasonal variations. The sample is normally designed to provide estimates for the whole country disaggregated into rural and urban (Da r es Salaam and other urban) as done in 1991 and 2007 HBSs . If resources permit, the sample may also be designed to provide regional estimates as done during the 2001 HBS.

Survey Instruments There are mainly two types of survey questionnaires namely HBS Questionnaire Form 1 (HBSQF -

1. and HBS Questionnaire Form 2 (HBSQF -2). The former collects information about socio - demographic and economic information of the each household member as well as other household level information pertaining to housing conditio ns, sources of water and energy for lighting and cooking, sanitation and waste management, distances to various socio -economic services, assets ownership, household business, sources of household income, and others.

Statistical Methods, Standards and Guidelines

52 The Form 2 (HBSQF -2) also known as a di ary is used to collect information on daily income and consumption and non -consumption expenditures of all members of the households. It is
administered for the duration of one calendar month in each household. This information is recorded in the form by enumerator from the individual diary known as HBSQF -3 and the business diary known as HBSQF-4. This individual diary is given to every member of the household who is above 5 years old and able to read and write. Also HBSQF -4 is given to the households with business just for recording all transactions; that is purchases for re-selling.

On the other hand, there is an instruction manual explaining all survey details and questionnaire contents. Attempt is made to give explanation on each question that is in the questionnaires. Also codes for various items or transactions that are anticipated to be found in households are provided in this document. Each enumerator and supervisor is provided with this manual for reference each time they undertake the filling-in or reviewing the already filled-in questionnaires.

Training There are two phases of training; the first one being the training of trainers (TOT) where all anticipated trainers gather and discuss the details of the training, the methods of training and the training schedule. These prospective trainers of enumerators and supervisors normally meet for up to 15 days and undertake class and practical training.

Training of enumerators and supervisors normally lasts for 3 weeks with many practical sessions to ensure competence and accuracy during data collection. After the training the data collection starts immediately on the first day of the month in order to have coverage of full calendar month (or 28 days) of data collection for each household. Due to a large number of enumerators and supervisors, the training is conducted in zones to ensure that all participants are properly trained.

Data Collection
Each enumerator is assigned a cluster for the whole year where he or she establishes and maintains contact wi th sub -sample of households for each calendar month. The data collection starts with administering HBSQF -1 and later on, explains and demonstrates to the household how to fill -in HBSQF-3 and HBSQF -4. During the survey month, the enumerator visits the house holds to make sure that the diaries are filled -in as well as transferring the information to HBSQF -2. The enumerator is also required to assist households without a member who can read and write filling the diaries.

Statistical Methods, Standards and Guidelines

53 Together with all these steps, there ar e field trips from the main office whereby the purpose is to randomly check some households‟ filled -in questionnaires and re -interview to check the consistence and quality of information filled-in. Such checks are done by head office staff who also check the on-going filling-in of questionnaires in some households.

Processing Editing of filled -in questionnaires is a two stage s exercise. The primary editing is done at specific regional statistical office. This ensure s that all problems that require going ba ck to the field are solved there before the questionnaires are sent to the main office where it may take time to rectify the problems. The second stage is at the main office before the questionnaires are sent for data entry in the computer laboratory.

At the data processing (computer) room, after data of every month have been entered, consistence check programs are run to detect any inconsistencies and mistakes either committed in the field and were not seen at both stages of editing or committed at the data entry stage, and fix them.

Analysis This is an important stage of processing the survey results. This is done by NBS and other organizations or individuals with competence in specific areas such as poverty analysis, consumer price index and national ac counts. Both national and international consultants may be recruited to support local staff in the analysis.

4.7 CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (CPI) The Consumer Price Index (CPI) Compilation Model is an Excel add -in based Visual Basic for Application (VBA) program developed for providing technical assistance to fund member countries for consumer price statistics compilation. The package is a prototype model that could also be used for teaching, training, and research purposes. It can likewise serve as a framework from which price collection formats and product classification systems can be integrated to fit country -specific practices. Its main function is to compile the CPI for multiple areas at multiple levels of product items to obtain aggregate national level price statistics.

Statistical Methods, Standards and Guidelines

54 It’s Methodology

1. The application uses the Modified Laspeyre‟s Approach to compute CPI statistics based on monthly price quotations (or monthly average price quotations) and annual expenditure information using a combination of manual and computer tabulation procedures.
   ) p p (

) p p ( * w

=

I i 0, i 1, -t i 1, -t it, i 0, n 1

i 0 t  

which can be rewritten as: LTPR

STPR

w

I i 0, 1 -t i 1, -t t i 0, n 1

i 0 t   

where W0,i is base period weight for item i, STPRt→t-1,i is the short-term price relative of item i for current period (= pt,i /pt-1,i) and LTPRt-1→0,i is the long-term price relative of item i for previous period (= pt-1,i /p0,i).

2. CPI is calculated using the equivalent of a recursive procedure, in which previous period‟s base-weighted long-term price relatives, pt-1, q0 are updated by the current period‟s price relatives.

3. The geometric mean method is used in computing the price level at aggregate level in view of its multiple advantages.

4. The program adopts the Matching Price Observation method in imputing the areas‟ average prices, in which the price averages are calculated on the basis of “matched observations”. Whenever a particular price observation is missing from either the previous month or the current month, the corresponding price observations will be dropped from the other period. This is to ensure consistent sample of price quotations in each period.

5. The program calculates missing variety prices based on Short Term Price Relative STPR (actual or imputed) and previous period price, and stores them in the database with a flag. These calculated price data can be retrieved into spreadsheets for the next period imputation process.