Model Living Standards Measurement Study Survey Questionnaire for the Countries of the Former Soviet Union Book

This document presents a set of Living Standard Measurement Study (LSMS) questionnaires that have been developed for use in the Russian-speaking countries of the former Soviet Union. These questionnaires are available in English and in Russian. They are also available in electronic form. This document also describes in detail the procedure that should be followed to modify the questionnaires for use in any specific country. Without careful tailoring, the questionnaires will be frustrating for interviewers and respondents. More importantly, if existing policies, policy concerns, and institutions are not taken into consideration, the survey data will not be sufficient to address the questions for which the survey is undertaken in the first place. To guide the questionnaire writer through the modification process, this document describes the important aspects of LSMS surveys, general modifications that will be required, translation and field testing procedures, and finally a section by section description of the type of modifications that are likely to be required to suit goals and circumstances.