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Standard question module 35. There are two standard question modules for Main Language Spoken at Home:
Question module for detailed data Alternative one 36. The standard question for Main Language Spoken at Home was designed for self-enumerated and interview-based surveys. However, it could also be used in administrative collections if clear instructions were included regarding the choice of only one language (the language spoken most often) when respondents speak multiple languages at home.
37b. To use the standard question module for Main Languages Spoken at Home please inform Data Management, Dissemination and Survey Support at the question specification stage of survey development by including a statement to that effect in your question specifications. 38. Instructions are included for those respondents who speak more than one language in the home. For self-enumerated surveys, respondents are instructed to indicate the language spoken most often and to mark one box in the checklist or to write in one response where tick boxes don't apply. For interview-based collections, an interviewer could use a prompt like "Which of those languages [do you] [does the person] [does (name)] use most often?" if a multiple response is given after asking the question. 39. The list of languages provided with this module has been included primarily on the basis of the statistical significance of these languages in the Australian context. Cantonese and Mandarin are both included to ensure that the response 'Chinese' is not erroneously coded to one or the other. Approximately 90% of Australians speak at least one of these languages and the use of this list ensures compatibility across collections and minimises coding costs. This list will be reviewed periodically as different languages assume a greater or lesser significance in the Australian context as a result of changing migration patterns. 40. The 'Other' category is included for those people who speak a language in the home that is not offered in the list as a response to the question. 'Please specify' is added to the 'Other' category and a space is provided for respondents to write in their language. 41. Each language response to the question will need to be matched to an entry in the Australian Standard Classification of Languages (ASCL), Second Edition Coding Index (see Coding Procedures in Classification and Coding). Alternative two 42. If there is a need for detailed information but space constraints are an over-riding consideration then the tick boxes can be deleted (except the tick box for 'English'), leaving the 'Other - please specify' option for respondents to write in their language. If this is done, however, there will be significant additional coding costs since each response will need to be matched to an entry in the ASCL Coding Index (see Coding Procedures in Classification and Coding).
44. The standard question module for minimum data for the variable Main Language Spoken at Home follows:
Standard input categories Input categories for detailed data 46. The standard input categories for the Question Module for Detailed Data for Main Language Spoken at Home are the base level units of the ASCL and are represented by their four-digit codes. For operational reasons, residual categories and codes and supplementary codes also exist to enable 'not elsewhere classified' and 'inadequately described' responses to be processed within a collection coded at the four-digit level. Full details regarding the standard classification and code structure, residual categories and codes, and supplementary codes can be found in the ASCL. Input categories for minimum data 47. The standard input categories for the Question Module for Minimum Data are:
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