Abstract:
|
The deregulation of the natural gas and electricity industries has caused the Energy Information Administration (EIA) to reexamine its data collection programs in those two areas. Both industries were characterized by a high degree of vertical integration, and state and federal regulation. Today, new types of energy companies, acquisitions, mergers, and bankruptcies have caused EIA problems in coverage. Further, new market activities, changes in business practices, and record keeping have increased the challenge for our respondents to provide us with information. Finally, competition and market-based energy pricing have highlighted the need for different kinds of information other than the EIA has traditionally collected.
EIA has adapted a variety of survey methods to its establishment surveys to address the issues of data requirements, coverage, and quality. Among these methods are focus groups, pre-survey design visits, cognitive interviews, and the use of interview style questionnaires. While none of these techniques are new, EIA has modified them to fit its establishment surveys. This paper describes the application of those methods and their success at EIA.
|