Standard output categories
39. The hierarchical structure of the Australian Standard Classification of Religious Groups (ASCRG) (Cat. no. 1266.0) allows users the flexibility to output statistics at the level of the classification which best suits their requirements. Data can be presented at broad group level, narrow group level, or the base religious group (third) level. If necessary, significant religious groups within a narrow group can be presented separately while the remaining religious groups within the narrow group are aggregated. For example, the third-level category 'Albanian Orthodox' can be separately identified as an output category within the 'Orthodox' Narrow Group, with the remaining third-level categories in this narrow group aggregated in an 'Other Orthodox' category. The same principle can be adopted to highlight significant narrow groups within a broad group.
40. Regardless of the level of aggregation envisaged for the dissemination of data, wherever possible, data should be captured, classified and stored at the base level of the classification. Collecting and storing data at the most detailed level of the classification allows the greatest flexibility for the output of data, enables more detailed and complex analysis, facilitates comparisons with previous data using different classifications, and preserves information that may prove historically useful.
41. However, the constraints affecting each statistical collection or other application, such as problems with confidentiality or standard errors, may not permit the collection or output of data at the lower levels of the classification. Nevertheless, the use of a standard classification will enhance data comparability even though it may not always be possible to disseminate the data at the most detailed level.
42. The following is an example of standard output categories for the seven broad groups of the ASCRG, which have either significant narrow groups (second-level categories) or religious groups (third-level categories) highlighted:
 | | | | |
| Buddhism | |
| Christianity | |
| | Anglican
Baptist
Catholic | |
| | | Western Catholic | |
| | | Other Catholic | |
| | Lutheran | |
| | Orthodox | |
| | | Greek Orthodox | |
| | | Macedonian Orthodox | |
| | | Russian Orthodox | |
| | | Serbian Orthodox | |
| | | Other Orthodox | |
| | Presbyterian and Reformed | |
| | Uniting Church | |
| | Pentecostal | |
| | Other Christianity | |
| Hinduism | |
| Islam | |
| Judaism | |
| Other Religions | |
| No Religion | |
| | | Atheism | |
| | | Other No Religion | |
| | | | |
Supporting variables
43. Religious Affiliation requires no supporting variables.
Print Page
Print All