ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
A set of criteria is used to judge the suitability of topics for a Census. The questions included in the Submission Form relate to these four criteria, which are:
- the topic is of major national importance
- there is a need for data on the topic for small groups in the population and/or for small geographic areas
- there are no other suitable data sources available for the topic
- the topic is suitable for inclusion in the Census.
Topic is of major national importance
Topics selected for a Census must relate to an issue which is of national importance. There must be a demonstrated need for the Census data for policy development, planning and program monitoring.
Submissions proposing the inclusion of new topics should clearly indicate the value of the information by showing the uses to which it will be put. Submissions should also spell out the implications of the topic being excluded from the Census.
Need for data for small population groups or small geographic areas
Because the Census covers all households, it can produce information at the small geographic area level or about small population groups, and enables cross-classification with other characteristics collected in the Census.
Submissions proposing the inclusion of new topics should clearly demonstrate why this information is needed at the small area level or for small population groups.
Information required for broad geographic areas only (e.g. at the state or national level) may be better obtained by other means (e.g. sample surveys) depending on the detail of the cross-classification required. If the need is restricted to information about a few specific small areas, other methods could be more appropriate.
Availability of other suitable data sources
Consideration should be given to whether data are available from other sources. Similar or surrogate data may be collected by another organisation, there may have been surveys already conducted or planned to be conducted by the ABS, or the data may be available from administrative records.
The ABS produces an extensive range of information from economic censuses and surveys, administrative sources, and a comprehensive program of population surveys. While the ABS population surveys are not able to collect the detailed information that can be obtained from the Census for small groups or small areas, there are other advantages associated with interviewers collecting the data rather than the self-enumeration method used in the Census.
For information on all data published by the ABS, users should refer to the ABS web site at www.abs.gov.au. A list of ABS publications referred to in this information paper is included in Appendix 2.
Topic is suitable for inclusion in the Census
In the Census, information is collected by 'self-enumeration'. Each household is required to fill in the Census form with relatively little assistance from the Census Collector. Self-enumeration, and the need to ensure that the large Census operation is conducted as efficiently and effectively as possible, impose certain constraints on the type of topics included, in order to minimise the reporting burden on households and control Census costs. Questions asked on the Census form need to be readily understood by all householders.
Topics which require detailed explanation to ensure accurate answers are unlikely to be answered correctly. Research has shown that people often do not read the explanations which accompany questions. Questions which are controversial or which could cause adverse reactions may also not be answered correctly. Such questions could also affect the quality of other responses. Information about these topics may require interviewer based collection methods.
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