III. >> M  ethodological Approaches to Human Rights Indicators >> Sources and data-generating mechanisms governmental institutions (e.g., independent surveys commissioned by civil society organizations) to evaluate the impact of public programmes, or for donors to assess aid effectiveness (box 16). However, the implementation of well-structured statistical samples, including samples that enable the production of disaggregated statistics (e.g., by ethnic group), can be resource-intensive (in contrast to administrative or events-based data). Such a data-generating mechanism may therefore not be Box 16 very common among civil society. Small surveys or those covering only the most relevant or targeted population groups may be more feasible and common. The methodical approach developed for the residents of a social housing complex in north Belfast (box 17) is a particularly interesting example of a civil society organization compiling socioeconomic statistics that in most instances would be collected by administrative agencies. Statistical surveys: a vital source of data for human rights A direct survey of individuals or households is often essential to assess their enjoyment of human rights— social, economic and cultural rights, and civil and political rights. Significant amounts of data concerning the MDGs are being successfully collected through household surveys. The same data-generating methodology can be used to address human rights and related issues, such as crime, security of life and property, persistent and systematic violence against women and specific population groups, corruption, administration of justice, freedom of speech and participation in public affairs. At modest cost, such questions could either be included in the periodic socioeconomic surveys conducted by the statistical agencies in many countries or, if there are adequate resources, independent surveys could be commissioned to assess a set of human rights issues. For the sake of administrative convenience and keeping costs down, it may be desirable to combine the two approaches. Periodic socioeconomic surveys could be used to follow up one or two issues from the more detailed but less frequent human rights surveys. Surveys are also important sources of information to check the credibility of administrative data. For instance, victimization surveys (or victim surveys or crime victim surveys) help in assessing the extent of crimes (or even human rights violations, for instance in post-conflict contexts) and the accuracy of police or justice records.26 26. See UNODC and United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, Manual on Victimization Surveys (ECE/CES/4) (Geneva, 2010). Available from www.unece.org. 60 Human Rights Indicators