NCSI issues guidelines for private polls, studies and surveys
The National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) issued a decision (No 9/2023) on Sunday outlining the executive regulations of the Statistics and Information Law, including fees for conducting electronic surveys, statistical advisory services and statistical training programmes.
As per the decision, the fees for services provided by NCSI will be RO5,000 for conducting an electronic survey, RO30,000 for preparing a statistical study or report and analysing data, and RO20,000 for conducting surveys with a sample size of more than 1,600 people, among other services and fees.
Dr Khalifa al Barwani, CEO of NCSI, said the regulations cover methods of conducting statistical activities for both government and private institutions, academics, scholars and researchers. “The regulations make it easy for researchers and academics to carry out statistical activities without obtaining a permit.”
According to Barwani, individuals and non-governmental entities are prohibited from conducting any survey or poll unless licensed by NCSI. “The decision allows the centre to provide special statistical services for prescribed fees, including provision of unpublished data and information, statistical advisory services and statistical training programmes,” he said.
The regulations exempt several entities from the requirement of obtaining a licence provided these have an approval from the centre and the purpose of conducting the statistical activity is scientific or academic.
Universities, colleges, schools, academics and students - studying in Oman and abroad - are exempted from the requirement of a licence.
The regulations specify 11 obligations for an individual in charge of statistical activities, including performing statistical activities impartially, and not disclosing data with any party except in the cases specified in the law.