The typical respondent
The average respondent was male, aged about 44, had graduated from college, was working in government for eighteen years of which 6 years had been in his current position. His monthly salary was 7,238 Taka and had filed a wealth report with the National Board of Revenue.

Sampling features
The sample size was 821. At the national level, the sample of 397 respondents was drawn from ministries and autonomous bodies. At the sub-national level, the sample of 424 was drawn from district-level officials in general administration i.e. magistracy, development officials and staff; and from officials of line ministries posted at the district and sub-district level.

The survey managers reported that the agency sampling was based on ease of access and a balance between perceived good and bad performers. Within departments and service providing agencies, officials were mostly selected on a random basis.

Questionnaire administration
The survey questions were in Bengali. It was administered between July and December 1999. The survey questionnaire was designed for administration to Class I i.e. 'higher category' civil servants only from ministries (departments and directorates) and from statutory bodies. However, during the survey the sample was extended to include district level officials and some officials not belonging to Class I.

Survey design
The questionnaire contained questions on introduction for respondents, individual experience and perception of personnel management practices, decision making in your organization, sources of income, budget environment of your organization, questions about procurement.