USING THE CLASSIFICATION

EDITING SPECIFICATIONS

It is important when validating input codes at editing stage, manipulating data, and deriving output items, that all valid codes are included in every specification. The full range of valid codes includes all the codes in the classification structure and all supplementary codes.

CODING, STORAGE AND PRESENTATION OF DATA

Data should be collected, classified and stored at the language level of the classification, ensuring flexibility of statistical output and resulting in more detailed analysis. It also maintains information for future use. Comparisons can be made with previous data using different classifications.

However, the constraints affecting each statistical collection or other application, such as concerns with confidentiality or standard errors, may not permit the collection or output of data at the lower levels of the classification. The use of a standard classification will enhance data comparability even though it may not always be possible to disseminate data at the most detailed level.

The hierarchical structure of the classification allows users the flexibility to output statistics at the level of the classification which best suits their particular purposes. Data can be presented at the broad group level, narrow group level, or the language level. Significant languages within a narrow group can be presented separately with the remaining languages of the narrow group aggregated.