ABS Analytical Community Sets Focus for 2008-09

The ABS Analytical Community was established in mid-2007, through the creation and collaboration of the three analysis branches in the Bureau: Analytical Services Branch, Economic Analysis and Reporting Branch, and Social Analysis and Reporting Branch. The aim of the Community is to undertake methodological and applied policy-relevant analysis in order to enhance the value-add of ABS data and products.

The 2008-09 work program for the Analytical Community has been developed and reflects a number of emerging issues in Australian government and the community. Key areas of focus for the work program include the following:

1) Methodological analysis and research

• expanding the use of hedonic regression methodology to cover laptop computers and other consumer durables;
• investigating the methodological issues in R&D capitalisation in the National Accounts;
• examining the feasibility of pooling and analysing data from different surveys;
• developing and validating measures of social capital; and
• maintaining and developing the small area estimation program.

2) Economic analysis and research

• exploring the links between IT, innovation and productivity;
• analysing business lifecycles using administrative data;
• analysing the characteristics of younger, smaller Australian businesses; and
• disaggregating human capital stocks and flows estimates by industry and by occupation.

3) Social analysis and research

• analysing prisons data to explore trends in serious crime;
• investigating and analysing housing affordability; and
• investigating voluntary work data collected by the 2006 Census.

The 2008-09 analysis forward work program was compiled through a process of internal and external user consultation, including the establishment of an external analysis reference group which is comprised of senior representatives from a range of Government agencies, as well representation from the academic sector.

The ABS remains committed to undertaking relevant and high quality analysis to better inform Government and community decision-making.

For more information, contact Jill Charker on (02) 62527290 or jill.charker@abs.gov.au.