DATA ELEMENTS AND DATA ELEMENT CONCEPTS
SEX
IDENTIFYING AND DEFINITIONAL ATTRIBUTES
Metadata type:
DATA ELEMENT Version: 1
Definition:
The distinction 'male' and 'female', as reported by a person.
Context:
Sex is a basic demographic variable used almost universally in statistical and administrative data collections relating to people. It differentiates any population in terms of male and female numbers and characteristics. The meaning, description and use of this concept are generally standard and consistent across Australian data sources.
RELATIONAL AND REPRESENTATIONAL ATTRIBUTES
Datatype:
Numeric
Field size:
Min: 1 Max: 1
Representational form:
CODE
Representational layout:
N
Data domain:
Sex is a flat classification having only one level. In some situations there may be a need for the additional category 'Intersex or Indeterminate'. This refers to a person, who because of a genetic condition, was born with reproductive organs or sex chromosomes that are not exclusively male or female (for whatever reason). If it is necessary to include the category 'Intersex or Indeterminate', it should be allocated the code '4'. Codes are provided to assist with data entry and/or output purposes.
The code structure is:
1 Male
2 Female
4 Intersex or Indeterminate
Guide for use:
In addition to the above ABS standard classification, two extra values for 'Organisation' and 'Unknown/Not stated' are necessary for the ABS criminal courts collection. Therefore, the classification would be:
0 Unknown/Not stated
1 Male
2 Female
3 Not Applicable (Organisation)
4 Intersex or Indeterminate
Physical biology is the criterion used to classify persons into the categories 'male' and 'female'. This criterion is physical rather than genetic to cover the exceptional cases such as sex change operations. In the vast majority of cases the physical and genetic categories are identical.
Please note that the coding structure above deviates from the ABS standard which codes Intersex or Indeterminate to 3.
The term 'sex' is used rather than 'gender' because it more accurately reflects the biological distinction between males and females. In common usage the term gender is increasingly being substituted for sex. The ABS encourages the use of the term sex rather than gender in the statistical context because it is well understood by people of all ages and those who do not speak English as a first language. Furthermore, the term gender is frequently used (for example in psychological or sociological discussions) to refer to cultural or social differences as opposed to biological ones.
Verification rules:
None
Collection methods:
For the collection of data on Sex the ABS standard questionnaire module is a tick box question as shown below. Due to tradition in the ABS and other collections, the category Male is shown first.
In addition to the above, an extra value for 'Organisation' is necessary for the ABS criminal courts collection.
When collecting data on Sex by personal interview, asking the sex of the respondent is usually unnecessary and may be inappropriate, or even offensive. It is usually a simple matter to infer the Sex of the respondent from other cues such as observation, or first name.
Every effort should be made to ensure that Sex is provided for a finalised defendant. If Sex is unknown (e.g. is not included in the court record for a defendant) and cannot be determined from any other information (e.g. name), this defendant should be assigned the code 0 - Unknown/Not stated.
Code 4 - Intersex or Indeterminate should not generally be used on data collection forms completed by a respondent. It should only be used if the person volunteers that their sex is intersex or Indeterminate or where it otherwise becomes clear during the collection process that the individual is neither male nor female.
Related metadata:
Is a characteristic of the data element concept:
ADMINISTRATIVE ATTRIBUTES
Source document:
Standards for Social, Labour and Demographic Statistics (cat. no. 1200.0)
The ABS standards appear on the ABS web site. From the ABS home page (<www.abs.gov.au>) select: Methods, Classifications, Concepts & Standards/ABS concepts, classifications and statistical standards/12. Classifications and work manuals/1200.0 Standards for Social, Labour and Demographic Variables
Source organisation:
Australian Bureau of Statistics
History:
Commenced 2005
Comments:
A person's sex may change during their lifetime as a result of procedures known alternatively as Sex change, Gender reassignment, Transsexual surgery, Transgender reassignment or Sexual reassignment. Throughout this process, which may be over a considerable period of time, Sex could be recorded as either Male or Female.
Print Page
Print All