UPCOMING ABS STATISTICAL TRAINING IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA


Training Calendar (JUNE - NOVEMBER 2010)

To assist in developing statistical expertise, the ABS can provide training courses to your staff. Our training programs are conducted by ABS staff with expertise in designing questionnaires, analysing data and managing the survey process. Courses can be tailored to meet the specific needs of your organisation, for example using South Australia-specific information, with the aim of upskilling people in the access, use, interpretation and collection of statistical information.

The ABS also provides regular seminars and information sessions which may focus on statistical developments, publications, trends or issues. The following training is currently scheduled for the Adelaide office in the second half of 2010.


Turning Data Into Information

Date: 20 - 21 July, 19 - 20 October

Duration: 2 days

Description: This course aims to equip the attendee with a range of statistical tools and techniques for understanding and analysing data in the context of a research objective. At a very broad level, the course aims to enhance the attendee's ability to:

• understand the research topic in its broadest context and identify the specific research question and objectives;
• understand data, their scope and limitations;
• understand strengths and weaknesses of various analytical techniques; and
• apply appropriate techniques to the available data in order to draw out the story and extract meaningful information from them.

The course will concentrate on how to choose a statistical technique that gives greatest insight into the data. During this process, the focus will be on the application of these techniques and not on the techniques themselves.

Who should attend: This course will be most beneficial to people who are required to undertake analytical work to inform decision-making. Basic statistical concepts such as mean and median are covered briefly. For those who need basic statistical concepts covered in depth, the ABS course Analysing Survey Data Made Simple is recommended.

Cost: $750 (inc. GST)


ABS Website Made Simple

Date: 17 August, 18 November

Duration: 3 hours

Description: ABS on-line publications and data are free to download from the ABS website, www.abs.gov.au, and this computer-based course will provide an overview of the ABS, what data are available on the ABS website and some of the concepts used by the ABS. This course will build the attendee's knowledge on:

• who the ABS is and what it does;
• ABS collection methods, classifications and geographies;
• how to navigate and search the ABS website
• data formats used by the ABS
• original, seasonally adjusted and trend series;
• the Census of Population and Housing and how to access Census data;
• ABS Data Quality Framework; and
• services the ABS provides.

Who should attend: Attendance at one of these sessions would benefit new and existing users of the ABS website who would like an introduction to accessing, understanding and using ABS data.

Cost: $120 (inc. GST)
Basic Survey Design

Date: 24 - 25 August

Duration: 2 days

Description: The aim of this course is to give a broad overview of all facets of survey development. The course covers developing survey objectives, advantages and disadvantages of various collection methodologies, questionnaire development, data processing and reporting of results.

Who should attend: People who will be involved in conducting a sample survey, or people who would like to gain a broad understanding of the issues associated with the survey process.

Cost: $750 (inc. GST)


Analysing Survey Data Made Simple

Date: 14 - 15 September

Duration: 2 days

Description: This two-day, computer-based course develops basic practical skills in statistical and graphical data analysis techniques using Microsoft Excel.

Who should attend: Those with little or no knowledge of statistical analysis techniques who need a basic understanding of how to analyse and describe data that has been collected in surveys. Please note this is not a course in how to use Excel - previous spreadsheet experience is recommended.

Cost: $750 (inc. GST)


Using ABS Datacubes in SuperTABLE

Date: 22 September

Duration: 1/2 day

Description: The ABS web site has large datasets that can be downloaded for free. This course will teach participants how to access these datasets in SuperTABLE format to create tables that meet their organisation's information needs. Through a combination of theoretical instruction and computer-based exercises, participants will learn how to use the free SuperTABLE software.

Who should attend: People who have little or no experience in the use of SuperTABLE. Participants should have attended an ABS Web Site seminar or be confident ABS web site users.

Cost: $300 (inc. GST)


Principles of Questionnaire Design

Date: 9 - 10 November

Duration: 2 days

Description: A well designed questionnaire is vital for collecting high quality data. The aim of this course is to provide participants with an awareness and understanding of questionnaire design principles. The course covers selecting collection methodologies, developing survey questions, designing questionnaire layout and testing the questionnaire.

Who should attend: People who will be involved in designing and conducting a survey and wish to gain an understanding of how to design a questionnaire that will collect data accurately.

Cost: $750 (inc. GST)

Further details of training courses and registration forms can be found on the ABS web site (select 'Services' and then 'ABS Training'). The web site also provides information about other training courses that the ABS can present, courses that are scheduled in other states and territories and on-line training courses. If you or your colleagues are interested in any courses that have not been scheduled in Adelaide, or you are interested in arranging tailored training packages, please contact the Statistical Consultancy Unit on (08) 8237 7465.