Introduction to Statistical Work 政府統計處 Census and Statistics

Introduction to Statistical Work 政府統計處 Census and Statistics Department

The Statistical Process Administrative Records Questionnaires Used in Surveys Raw Data Processing (editing, coding, tabulation, computation) Special Returns Statistical Tables and Reports Analysis and Interpretation Application 政府統計處 Census and Statistics Department Statistics

Raw Data Raw data are information supplied by persons, households, business undertakings or various kinds of organizations from which statistics are compiled. Raw data can come from three sources: Ø Administrative Records Ø Special Returns Ø Questionnaires used in Surveys 政府統計處 Census and Statistics Department

Difference between Raw Data and Statistics We should distinguish raw data from statistics, though raw data can also be numerical figures. Statistics are information derived or summarised from raw data. Øe. g. incomes of individual households are raw data whereas the average household income derived from the former is a "statistic". 政府統計處 Census and Statistics Department

Data Collection Methods of data collection for surveys include: Ø Self administered questionnaires by mail Ø Personal interviews Ø Telephone interviews Ø Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) Very often, mixed modes of data collection can be used. An appropriate mode should be selected by carefully considering respondents' willingness to co-operate, the degree of complexity of the subject of enquiry and other relevant factors. 政府統計處 Census and Statistics Department

Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) Computer performs auto-scheduling and autodialing of assignments for the enumerators. During interview, the enumerator can directly input data into the system which immediately performs validation checks and prompts him/her for verification of exceptional cases. The technique is extensively used in the Quarterly Survey of Employment and Vacancies and the General Household Survey. 政府統計處 Census and Statistics Department

Concepts and Definitions used in Statistical Measures Clear definitions are essential for translating concepts into measurable quantities (i. e. statistical measures). This ensures that statistics compiled can be understood uniformly by data users and valid analysis can be made. 政府統計處 Census and Statistics Department

Some Common Concepts and Definitions used in Statistical Measures Definition of Household ØA household consists of a group of persons who live together and make common provision for essentials for living. These persons are not necessarily related to each other. ØA household is therefore not necessarily a family. ØSometimes members of a family may live apart and the members then belong to different households. 政府統計處 Census and Statistics Department

Some Common Concepts and Definitions used in Statistical Measures Definition of Establishment ØAn establishment is defined as "a unit engaged in the production of goods or services under a single ownership or control, in one or predominately one kind of economic activity and at a single physical location", e. g. an individual factory, a retail shop and a restaurant. • A bank has 100 branches at different locations. These branches are counted as 100 establishments although only one company is involved. 政府統計處 Census and Statistics Department

Some Common Concepts and Definitions used in Statistical Measures Definitions on Economic Activity Status ØEmployed Population Persons aged 15 and over who have been at work for pay or profit during the seven days before enumeration or who have had formal job attachment. 政府統計處 Census and Statistics Department

Some Common Concepts and Definitions used in Statistical Measures Definitions on Economic Activity Status (Cont’d) ØUnemployed Population Persons aged 15 and over who • have not had a job and have not performed any work for pay or profit during the seven days before enumeration; and • Have been available for work during the seven days before enumeration; and • have sought work during the thirty days before enumeration 政府統計處 Census and Statistics Department

Some Common Concepts and Definitions used in Statistical Measures Definitions on Economic Activity Status (Cont’d) ØEconomically Inactive Population • Persons who have not had a job and have not been at work during the seven days before enumeration other than those unemployed • Including for example home-makers and retired persons who are neither employed nor unemployed, and all persons aged below 15. 政府統計處 Census and Statistics Department

Some Common Concepts and Definitions used in Statistical Measures Definition of Industry ØIndustry sector refers to the type of business that an establishment belongs to. ØIn Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Standard Industrial Classification (HSIC) Version 1. 1 is adopted. ØThe HSIC is modelled on the United Nations’ International Standard Industrial Classification (Revision 2). 政府統計處 Census and Statistics Department

Some Common Concepts and Definitions used in Statistical Measures Definition of Industry (Cont’d) ØThe major industry sectors are : • Manufacturing • Construction • Wholesale, retail and import/export trades, restaurants and hotels • Transport, storage and communications • Financing, insurance, real estate and business services • Community, social and personal services 政府統計處 Census and Statistics Department

Some Common Concepts and Definitions used in Statistical Measures Definition of Occupation ØOccupation refers to the kind of work a person performs. ØThe occupational classification used in Hong Kong is based on the International Labour Organization’s International Standard Classification of Occupations with local adaptation. 政府統計處 Census and Statistics Department

Some Common Concepts and Definitions used in Statistical Measures Definition of Occupation (Cont’d) ØThe major occupational groups include: • • Managers and administrators Professionals Associate professionals Clerks Service workers and shop sales workers Craft and related workers Plant and machine operators and assemblers Elementary occupations 政府統計處 Census and Statistics Department

Some Common Concepts and Definitions used in Statistical Measures Industry vs. Occupation ØA clerk working for a bus company is counted under the “transport, storage and communications sector” (industry). In terms of occupation, he belongs to the category of “clerks” (occupation). 政府統計處 Census and Statistics Department