DATA ELEMENT SUMMARY INTRODUCTION
This chapter provides an in-depth overview of each data element in the 2010 National ECEC Collection. This is an ABS interpretation of the ideal data collection framework relating to the 2010 ECEC National Minimum Data Set (NMDS). This is not a formally agreed position and is only represented as an indicative understanding. This framework will be further adapted and used to form the basis for 2011 development work.
Identifying attribute and meaning
Technical name: A succinct title of the data element, briefly describing the object class, e.g. Child - preschool program hours attended per week, total hours N[N]. This is the same name that is used in the ECEC NMDS technical name attribute.
METeOR identifier: The code assigned to the data element in the AIHW Metadata Online Registry (METeOR), e.g. 390310. If there is no METeOR identifier assigned, the data element was not included in the 2010 ECEC NMDS and was an additional data element requested by the ABS for 2010.
METeOR link: A web link to the data element in METeOR. If there is no METeOR link, the data element was not included in the 2010 ECEC NMDS and was an additional data element requested by the ABS for 2010.
Definition: A description of the meaning of the data element, e.g. The number of hours of a preschool program that a child has attended in the census week, in total hours from 0 to 60. This is the same definition as that used in the ECEC NMDS.
Components: Related properties which come together to comprise the data element, e.g. Report the total hours of preschool program attendance only for the child in the reference period.
Rationale: The reason for including this data element in the overall data set, e.g. to identify the number of hours that the child has attended a preschool program in the reference period.
Inclusions: Information or guidance on components to be included within a given context for the data element. This relates closely to the outcome of the intended usage of the data, which at this stage is more specific and filtered, e.g. include the total hours, from 0 to 60 hours, that the child actually attended the preschool program in the reference period.
Exclusions: Information or guidance on components not to be included in a given context for the data element. Appropriately stated exclusions will further define the input components, e.g. exclude non-preschool program hours.
Data values: Specifies the representation class of data such as date, text, code, identifier or numeric total. Data element values can be enumerated (e.g. total hours) or non-numerical (e.g. Sex, M/F). Also summarises the permissible data types, e.g. Date, Number, String. This is the same representation class as that used in the ECEC NMDS.
Format: Specifies the presentation structure of the data value, e.g. for date of birth, DDMMYYYY, for Family name, text X[X(40)], for Preschool service received indicator, yes/no, code N. This is the same format as that used in the ECEC NMDS.
Counting rules: Collection standards which ensure that the correct properties and related attributes for the data element are obtained. Counting rules aim to ensure consistency and comparability of data, e.g. Derive child age in completed years so that if a child is aged 4 years and 9 months as at 1 July, record the child’s age as '4' for the purpose of this collection.
Print Page
Print All