1289.0 - Standards for Statistics on Cultural and Language Diversity, 1999  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 22/11/1999   
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Contents >> Religious Affiliation >> Classification and coding

The classification criteria

11. The Australian Standard Classification of Religious Groups (ASCRG) (Cat. no. 1266.0) is used when collecting, aggregating and disseminating data relating to the variable Religious Affiliation.

12. Three classification criteria are used to form the categories of the classification:

      • similar religious beliefs;
      • similar religious practices; and/or
      • cultural heritage.

13. Further details regarding the classification criteria used in the classification of religious groups can be found in the ASCRG (Cat. no. 1266.0).


The standard classification

14. As mentioned above, the ASCRG (Cat. no. 1266.0) is used when collecting, aggregating and disseminating data relating to the variable Religious Affiliation. The term 'religious group' is used in the ASCRG to describe groups of religions, separately identified religions, and subsets of religions such as religious denominations, administrative and organisational groupings, groups of churches, individual churches, and breakaway groups. They are described in the classification as religious groups in that each is comprised of a group of people who share common religious beliefs and practices, or belong to organisations that are unified by a common religious theme.

15. The classification has a three-level hierarchical structure. The most detailed level of the classification consists of 107 base or third-level units which are religious groups (as defined above). Included in the 107 third-level units are 9 'not elsewhere classified' (nec) categories which contain entities that are not listed separately in the classification.

16. The third-level categories of the classification are aggregated, based on similarities of religious beliefs, religious practices and/or cultural heritage, to form the second-level categories of the classification. The second level of the classification comprises 33 narrow groups of religions. Included in the 33 narrow groups are two 'other' categories which consist of religious groups that do not fit into a particular narrow group.

17. The first and most general level of the classification comprises 7 broad groups of religions, consisting of the world's five main religions (Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism), one 'Other Religions' category and one 'No Religion' category.

18. For further details of the classification, see the ASCRG (Cat. no. 1266.0).


The code structure

19. One, two or three, and four-digit codes are assigned to the first, second and third-level units of the classification respectively. The first digit identifies the Broad Group in which each Religious Group or Narrow Group is contained. The first two or three digits taken together identify the Narrow Group in which each Religious Group is contained. The four-digit codes represent the Religious Groups.

The following examples illustrate the coding scheme:



Broad Group
2
Christianity
Narrow Group24Pentecostal
Religious Group2402Assemblies of God
Broad Group
6
Other Religions
Narrow Group605Chinese Religions
Religious Group6054Taoism


20. For further details of the code structure, see the ASCRG (Cat. no. 1266.0).

Residual categories and codes

21. In each Narrow Group a four-digit code, consisting of the two or three digits of the Narrow Group code followed by the digits '99' or '9', is reserved as a residual or the 'not elsewhere classified' (nec) category.

22. In each Broad Group, codes are also reserved for residual categories at the Narrow Group level. These codes consist of the Broad Group code followed by '9' or '99'.

23. Further details regarding the residual categories and codes used when coding religious affiliation data can be found in the ASCRG.(Cat. no. 1266.0).

Supplementary codes

24. The supplementary codes are used to process inadequately described responses in statistical collections. The codes are of three types:

      • four-digit codes ending with one or more zeros;
      • four-digit codes commencing with three zeros; and
      • the four-digit code 2001.

25. Codes ending in zero are described as 'not further defined' (nfd) codes and are used to code responses to a question about religion which cannot be coded to the detailed (Religious Group) level of the classification but which can be coded to a higher level of the classification structure.

26. Four-digit codes commencing with '000' are supplementary codes included for operational purposes to facilitate the coding of responses such as inadequately described religious affiliation, etc., which present particular problems in that they cannot be allocated a Religious Group, Narrow Group or Broad Group code.

27. An additional supplementary code '2001': 'Apostolic Church, so described', has been created because the response 'Apostolic Church' lacks sufficient information to code it to the appropriate Narrow Group.

28. Further details regarding the supplementary codes used when coding religious affiliation data can be found in the ASCRG (Cat. no. 1266.0).


Scope of the variable

29. The variable Religious Affiliation applies to all persons.


Application of the classification to other variables

30. The Religious Affiliation classification is not applicable to any other variable.


Coding procedures

31. Responses to the Religious Affiliation question are coded to the ASCRG (Cat. no. 1266.0) using the guidelines detailed in that publication. Each religion response is matched with an entry in the ASCRG Coding Index to determine the correct code. The coding index contains an exhaustive list of religious beliefs, groups, denominations, organisations and churches in Australia. Supplementary codes also exist to enable coding of inadequately described responses.


Coding indexes

32. A coding index has been developed to assist in the implementation and use of the Australian Standard Classification of Religious Groups (ASCRG) and should be used when coding responses to questions relating to Religious Affiliation. It contains a comprehensive list of the most probable responses to questions relating to religious groups and their correct classification codes. Use of the coding index enables responses to be coded accurately and quickly to the appropriate category of the classification.

33. Copies of the coding index sorted in alphabetical and numerical (code) order can be found in the ASCRG publication (Cat. no. 1266.0) or in electronic format by contacting the Assistant Director, Social Classifications and Standards, Classifications and Data Standards Section, Australian Bureau of Statistics on phone (02) 6252 7074, fax (02) 6252 5281 or e-mail social.classifications@abs.gov.au.






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