The Methodology

When ERISS began its survey work in 1995, the only known methodology for collecting labor market information was stratified random sampling. This approach, while fine for Federal purposes, simply did not provide enough depth, breadth, or customization to be particularly useful locally. In addition random sampling is expensive (when measured against dollars per response) and very time consuming.

Working with top scientists in the field, ERISS developed a breakthrough in methodology - large-scale, census-style representative sample surveys using a technique known as "stratified proportional quota sampling." The combination of the census approach and sampling technique held the promise of solving the primary problems of the old methodologies by providing enormous amounts of both "deep" and "broad" local representative data in a very short period of time.

More on the ERISS Survey Methodology

The Technology

The requirement for speed, volume and accuracy made it impractical to deploy anything but a sophisticated CATI (Computer Aided Telephone Interviewing) system. Unfortunately, no off-the-shelf system could handle the combination of massive amounts of real-time data flows and extreme complexities inherent in a labor market survey. Consequently, we built our own from the ground up.

ERISS has spent tens of thousands of man-hours and millions in R&D to perfect a system that today is recognized as the most flexible and efficient labor market collection system in existence.

The system encompasses 14 internally developed software packages to handle everything from survey preprocessing, call processing, targeting and management, to post-processing data validation and aggregation.

The combination of ERISS's validated methodology and unique technology produces detail data on:

• Current, local job openings
• Expected hiring needs and preferences, three and twelve months out
• Related qualifications and requirements (skills, experience and education)
• Degree of difficulty in finding qualified applicants (supply vs. demand)
• Size, turnover and expected layoffs
• Local salaries and benefits offered and much more….

With typical response rates averaging 30% of ALL local employees, not just a small sample, the result is dramatically more current, more local and more detailed labor market information than ever possible before.

The Survey

Everything from question phraseology and placement in the survey instrument to skip pattern management and dynamic targeting has been carefully studied and developed over time.

The result is a survey that on average captures 60-70 usable answers in six to seven minutes from 30% of all local employers. We know of no other system that can even close to these kinds of statistics.