The 2010 Brazilian Census introduced several innovations in the data collection process. A digital base map was developed integrating the Address List for Statistical Purposes. In addition, the computer assisted personal interviews was carried out using Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) that are equipped with a GPS receiver and an option for online data collection via Internet was also available. The use of PDAs allowed the georeferencing of all units visited in the rural areas as well as the monitoring of the field operation geographic coverage.

The data collection was conducted from August until October 2010. The Data Collection Management Indicators System monitored the fieldwork evolution, generating reports with data collection status in the enumeration areas and the quantities of households and persons enumerated. Real time analysis enabled decision taking for operational adjustments and correction of possible problems detected in collection process. Supervision application system was developed with a set of automated procedures, providing to the supervisors a tool for evaluating the enumerators work quality.

The proposal for this paper is to highlight the innovations and to show how these have positively impacted the quality, the timeliness, and relevance of the Census results, providing the users with a more interactive and space-related data.

Keywords: Data collection; Coverage; Personal digital assistant

Biography: Zélia Bianchini is MSc in Statistics and has been working as a Deputy Director of Surveys in the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics since 1999. She has been working on statistical methodology, especially in the design, estimation and analysis of sample surveys. She is involved in advising the Director of Surveys and Censuses in all projects related to the production of statistical information from the Brazilian Institute, especially the 2010 Brazilian Population and Housing Census, development and implementation of the integrated system of household surveys as well as the project to review the production process of the Brazilian economic statistics.