8111.0 - Research and Experimental Development, Higher Education Organisations, Australia, 2006  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 13/06/2008   
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TECHNICAL NOTE DATA QUALITY


NON-SAMPLING ERROR

1 Non-sampling errors may arise as a result of errors in the reporting or processing of data. These errors can be introduced through inadequacies in the collection instrument, treatment of non-response, inaccurate reporting by data providers, errors in the application of survey procedures, incorrect recording of answers and errors in data capture and processing.

2 The extent to which non-sampling error affects the results is difficult to measure. Every effort is made to minimise non-sampling error by careful design and testing of the collection instrument, the use of efficient operating procedures and systems, and the use of appropriate methodologies.


Reliability of statistics

3 When interpreting the statistics in this release, the reliability and comparability of the estimates may be affected by the following specific non-sampling errors:

  • Many institutions provided estimates due to a lack of separately recorded data on R&D activity.
  • Data were subjectively classified, by institutions, to Research fields, Socio-economic objectives and Type of activity at the time of reporting. Some institutions may have experienced difficulty in classifying their R&D projects. The ABS makes every effort to ensure correct and consistent interpretation and reporting of these data by applying consistent processing methodologies.
  • The estimation method of R&D related overheads varied between institutions and reference periods. See paragraph 14 of the Explanatory notes.


REVISIONS

4 Revisions to previous cycle data occur on discovery of errors in previously reported data. Revisions are only applied to the previous cycle, where the impact on:
  • R&D expenditure is equal to $5 million or more; or
  • Human resources devoted to R&D is equal to 25 PYE or more.

5 This release includes revised data for the 2004 reference period. Revisions impacted four states and territories for expenditure and/or human resource effort devoted to R&D. Most significantly, the revision to human resource effort devoted to R&D was primarily a result of some misreporting of Other staff in the 2004 survey.