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2901.0 - Census Dictionary, 2001  
Previous ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 24/04/2001   
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Contents >> Short Definitions and Classifications >> Ancestry (ANCP) - Characteristics

Ancestry

Description
Image of Question
Classification
Quality Statement


Description

This variable is coded using the Australian Standard Classification of Cultural and Ethnic Groups (ASCCEG) released October 2000.

Census respondents may select one or more Ancestry categories. As a result, the sum of the categories may be greater than the number of people who answered this question. Where a respondent marks more than one category, only the first two are coded. In addition, care should be taken when summing categories. The sum of the categories may be greater than the total for the corresponding minor (two digit) group, and the sum the minor groups may be greater than the total for the major (one digit) group.

Ancestry data can also be output by dual response, e.g. the number of persons who have both Australian and Vietnamese ancestry. More Detailed Description



Image of Question



Classification

Applicable to: All persons

1    Oceanian

2    North-West European

3    Southern and Eastern European

4    North African and Middle Eastern

5    South-East Asian

6    North-East Asian

7    Southern and Central Asian

8    People of the Americas

9    Sub-Saharan African

Total number of categories:

one digit level    9
two digit level    27
four digit level   226

More Detailed Description


Quality Statement

Each stage of the Census is subject to stringent quality assurance measures. However, in a Census there are recognised sources of error which may survive in the data produced. Some of these are overcome or 'repaired' by careful processing procedures and quality management of the processing itself. The effect of those that remain is generally slight, although it may be more important for small groups in the population. The main kinds of error to keep in mind are:

Partial non-response - in some cases where an answer was not provided to a question an answer was imputed or derived (often from other information on the form). In other cases a 'not stated' code was allocated.

Processing error - while such errors can occur in any processing system, quality management is used to continuously improve the quality of processed data, and to identify and correct data of unacceptable quality.

Random adjustment - cells containing small values are randomly adjusted to avoid releasing information about particular individuals, families or households. The effect of random adjustment is statistically insignificant.

Respondent error - processing procedures cannot detect or repair all errors made by persons in completing the form, therefore some may remain in final data.

Undercount - although the Census aims to count each person once, there are some people who are missed and others who are counted more than once. A post enumeration survey is conducted soon after the Census to measure the undercount.

Want more information on Data Quality?

A series of Census Working Papers have been produced to assess and report on various aspects of 2001 Census data quality. More Information

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