Survey Methodology
Progress in survey science and practice: Yesterday-today-tomorrow

by Carl-Erik SärndalNote 1

  • Release date: June 30, 2025
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Caption: “We must explain why science − our surest example of sound knowledge − progresses as it does, and we first must find out how, in fact, it does progress.” Thomas S. Kuhn (1970).

Abstract

This article confronts survey science with important notions in philosophy of science: progress, paradigm, research tradition, research programmes. The article is conceptual and exploratory, rather than mathematical/technical.

This is against a background where survey science must evolve in unfamiliar and challenging conditions. Society is changing. Survey nonresponse is high. Probability sampling surveys are in question, considered too expensive. Low cost alternative data sources − big data and others − must, in the opinion of some, be incorporated in statistics production at the national statistical offices.

A lively research tradition has brought progress in survey science over more than one hundred years. The article recalls some of that progress and tries to foresee how the tradition may survive and face the coming decades.

Key Words:    Design-based; Model assisted; Model-based; Nonresponse; Paradigm; Probability sampling; Research tradition; Survey science.

Table of contents

How to cite

Särndal, C.-E. (2025). Progress in survey science and practice: yesterday-today-tomorrow. Survey Methodology, 51(1), 9-22. Paper available at http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/12-001-x/2025001/article/00022-eng.pdf.

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ISSN : 1492-0921

Editorial policy

Survey Methodology publishes articles dealing with various aspects of statistical development relevant to a statistical agency, such as design issues in the context of practical constraints, use of different data sources and collection techniques, total survey error, survey evaluation, research in Survey Methodology, time series analysis, seasonal adjustment, demographic studies, data integration, estimation and data analysis methods, and general survey systems development. The emphasis is placed on the development and evaluation of specific methodologies as applied to data collection or the data themselves. All papers will be refereed. However, the authors retain full responsibility for the contents of their papers and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Editorial Board or of Statistics Canada.

Submission of Manuscripts

Survey Methodology is published twice a year in electronic format. Authors are invited to submit their articles in English or French in electronic form, preferably in Word to the Editor, (statcan.smj-rte.statcan@canada.ca, Statistics Canada, 150 Tunney’s Pasture Driveway, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1A 0T6). For formatting instructions, please see the guidelines provided in the journal and on the web site (www.statcan.gc.ca/SurveyMethodology).

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Copyright

Published by authority of the Minister responsible for Statistics Canada.

© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Industry, 2025

Use of this publication is governed by the Statistics Canada Open Licence Agreement.

Catalogue No. 12-001-X

Frequency: Semi-annual

Ottawa

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