1246.0 - Education Variables, 2002

ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 11/12/2002

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Contents >> Main Field of Highest Non-School Qualification >> Underlying Conpepts

NAME OF THE VARIABLE

4. The name of the variable is 'Main field of highest non-school qualification'.

5. This variable is one of several which supersede the variable 'Post-school educational qualifications'. The changes are a consequence of the development of the Australian Standard Classification of Education (ASCED) (cat. no. 1272.0) to replace the ABS Classification of Qualifications (ABSCQ), and better reflect the ASCED's capacity to show qualifications attained not just post-school, but at, or concurrently with, school as well.

DEFINITION OF THE VARIABLE

Nominal definition

6. The variable 'Main field of highest non-school qualification' is defined as:

The main field of study undertaken by a person in completing the person's highest educational qualification, other than attainments of primary or secondary education.

7. 'Main field of highest non-school qualification' is an attribute of the counting unit Person.

Operational definition

8. Operationally, 'Main field of highest non-school qualification' is obtained by a direct question, sequenced after a direct question on 'Level of highest non-school qualification'. The question on 'Level of highest non-school qualification' is worded in terms of qualifications attained, and where information is not collected about multiple qualifications, the result is dependent on respondent perception of 'highest'. Therefore the operational definition of 'Main field of highest non-school qualification' is defined as the main field of study undertaken in completing the highest non-school qualification reported by a person.

Scope of the variable

9. The variable 'Main field of highest non-school qualification' applies to all persons who have completed a non-school educational qualification.

SUPPORTING VARIABLES

10. 'Main field of highest non-school qualification' requires the supporting variable 'Level of highest non-school qualification' and therefore also requires the supporting variable 'Year non-school qualification completed'.

DISCUSSION OF CONCEPTUAL ISSUES

11. This variable can be used in its own right, but is also used for improving the coding accuracy of the qualification 'level'.