NIDS-CRAM is the National Income Dynamics Study: Coronavirus Rapid Mobile Survey. The survey will investigate the socioeconomic impacts of the national lock down associated with the State of Disaster and the negative social and economic consequences of the current global Coronavirus pandemic. The purpose of the study is to provide evidence to support policy to help South Africa. For more information on NIDS see here.
INFORMATION FOR PARTICIPANTS
What is NIDS-CRAM?
Who is running this study?
The study is being run by researchers from three universities: the University of Stellenbosch, the University of Cape Town and the University of Witwatersrand. To see the full list of researchers click here.
How long will the interview take?
The survey will be over the phone and should only take about 20 minutes.
Why have I been contacted?
NIDS-CRAM is a special follow up to randomly selected people from households who were interviewed in 2017 by NIDS. We are trying to contact these people by using the phone numbers that we had on record for them in 2017.
Remind me, what is NIDS?
The National Income Dynamics Study (NIDS) is a survey which was historically run by the Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit (SALDRU) at the University of Cape Town (UCT). It studies the well-being of South Africans, the households they live in and how these change over time. People’s participation in the study has allowed researchers to show important insights that have informed South Africa’s policymaking. It started in 2008 when around 28 000 people across South Africa were interviewed. Over the years, more people were interviewed, with almost 40 000 people interviewed in 2017. If you would like more information about NIDS, visit the NIDS website.
What sort of questions will I be asked?
We’d like to ask you some questions about yourself, your employment situation, your household, and your health. You don’t have to answer any questions you don’t want to.
How will I be interviewed?
The survey will use a much shorter questionnaire than was previously used in NIDS and the interviews for the survey will also change from face-to-face to telephonic.
Why should I participate?
Your participation will help the study collect information which could be useful to policymakers to know the difficulties that people are experiencing in these challenging times. Participating is voluntary and you can stop at any time, ask questions or choose to not answer any question. There are no risks to your participation. We do not pay people for participating in the survey. However, you will receive a small gift of R20 airtime to show our appreciation for your participation.
Will my information be kept confidential?
Your information will be kept confidential and anonymous. We are gathering information from thousands of people like you so that we can understand more clearly what the effects of Coronavirus and the lockdown are in the country. Before any research results are presented, the details and the answers that you give will be grouped together with the responses from other participants such that no one will be able to identify you and your responses. Any information linked to you is kept completely confidential.
Has this study received ethics approval?
Yes, the study has been approved by the University of Cape Town (UCT) Commerce Ethics Committee.
Who should I contact if I have any concerns?
If you have any concerns feel free to contact Reza Daniels, one of the NIDS-CRAM Investigators, on 021 650 4100.
Where can I get reliable information about Coronavirus?
For information on South Africa’s response to COVID-19 please visit the COVID-19 Coronavirus South African Resource Portal: https://sacoronavirus.co.za
In case you need it, the Coronavirus emergency hotline number is 0800 029 999.