4269.0.55.001 - Research Paper: Assessing the Effect of Geographic Information on Data Linkage Quality Using Vocational Education and Training in Schools Data, 2014  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 28/10/2014  First Issue
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  • Glossary

GLOSSARY

Administrative data

Information that is created for and through the administration of programs, policies or services and is not solely collected for statistics or research. This type of information is often obtained from records or transactional data from government agencies, businesses or non-profit organisations. For example, information about school students from enrolment records is administrative data, while information from a survey on students is not.

Deterministic linkage

A method of linking records across two or more datasets by searching for exact (or close) matches on responses for common variables. For example, a variable that might be common to each dataset is Sex which has the possible responses of '1' (Male) or '2' (Female). If a record had a response of '1' on all datasets it would be one step closer to becoming a link. Deterministic linking can also involve matching records on entity (i.e. a person, organisation etc) identifiers or linkage keys. Entity identifiers tend exist in administrative datasets, such as student ids. Linkage keys are variables that are often derived from other identifying variables, such as letters from a person's name joined to their date of birth.

Mesh Block

The Mesh Block is the smallest unit within the new Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS). Their boundaries are contiguous and cover the whole of Australia without gaps or overlaps. There are approximately 347,600 Mesh Blocks.

Due to their size, Mesh Blocks can be aggregated to accurately represent many different geographical regions, including administrative, management and political boundaries.

National Centre for Vocational Education and Research

The National Centre for Vocational Education and Research (NCVER) is a not-for-profit company owned by the Commonwealth and State and Territory ministers responsible for vocational education and training. It is responsible for providing research and statistics about vocational education and training nationally.

Queensland Curriculum Assessment Authority

The Queensland Curriculum Assessment Authority (QCAA) is a government agency responsible for providing a range of educational services to Queensland schools and the community.

Remoteness Areas

Remoteness Areas divide Australia into broad geographic regions that share common characteristics of remoteness for statistical purposes. The Remoteness Structure divides each state and territory into several regions on the basis of their relative access to services. Individual states and territories may not contain areas of every class: for example the Northern Territory does not contain a Major City or an Inner Regional classification.

Remoteness Areas are based on the Accessibility and Remoteness Index of Australia produced by the Australian Population and Migration Research Centre at the University of Adelaide.

State Suburb Code

State Suburb Codes are an ABS approximation of officially gazetted suburbs and localities. They are approximated using one or more Statistical Areas Level 1 from the Australian Statistical Geography Standard and are created to enable the release of ABS data on areas that, as closely as possible, approximate gazetted suburbs and localities.

They cover most, but not all, of Australia.

Statistical Area 1

The Statistical Area Level 1 is the second smallest geographic area defined in the Australian Statistical Geography Standard, the smallest being the Mesh Block.

For the 2011 Census, there are approximately 55,000 Statistical Areas 1 throughout Australia and these cover the whole of Australia without gaps or overlaps.

Statistical Area 2

The Statistical Area Level 2 is an area defined in the Australian Statistical Geography Standard, and consists of one or more whole Statistical Areas Level 1. In urban areas Statistical Areas 2 largely conform to whole suburbs and combinations of whole suburbs, while in rural areas they define functional zones of social and economic links.

Statistical Areas 2 cover, in aggregate, the whole of Australia without gaps or overlaps.

Statistical Local Area

The Statistical Local Area is an Australian Standard Geographical Classification defined area but are not part of the newer Australian Statistical Geography Standard and will eventually be replaced. They cover the whole of Australia without gaps or overlaps and are based on Local Government Areas, which are larger areas than Statistical Areas 2.

Transforming Education and Training Information in Australia

Transforming Education and Training Information in Australia (TETIA) is a strategy for improving educational outcomes by first building the evidence foundation through facilitating access to data on individuals undertaking education and training, related contextual factors and relevant outcomes; and, second, addressing data gaps in child development and education and training statistics, particularly their cross-sectoral aspects.

Vocational Education and Training in Schools students

Students that combine vocational studies with their general education curriculum. Students participating in VET in Schools continue to work towards their Senior Secondary School Certificate, while the VET component of their studies gives them credit towards a nationally recognised VET qualification. VET in Schools programs may involve structured work placements.