1344.8.55.002 - ABStract, Statistics News, Australian Capital Territory, April 2010  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 13/04/2010   
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ABS ACT STATISTICAL TRAINING PROGRAM


DEVELOP YOUR STATISTICAL SKILLS

Each office of the ABS offers practical, informative and relevant training to help you develop your statistical skills. These courses may also be tailored to suit your particular needs or additional programs can be developed as required for presentations at your own locality. The next scheduled courses for the ACT are:



Principles of Questionnaire Design

Overview: A well designed questionnaire is vital for collecting high quality data. The aim of this two-day course is to provide participants with an awareness and understanding of questionnaire design principles. The course content covers:
  • Context of questionnaire design
  • Defining survey objectives
  • Developing content based on survey objectives
  • Determining most appropriate collection methodology
  • Understanding how respondents answer questions
  • Developing questionnaire wording
  • Ordering of questions
  • Format and layout
  • Accompanying information
  • Testing questionnaires
  • Evaluating questionnaires

Is this course for me? This course is designed for people who will be involved in designing and conducting a survey and wish to gain an understanding of how to design a questionnaire that will collect data accurately.

Date: 5 May 2010

Cost: $750 (inc. GST) per person


Analysing Survey Data Made Simple

Overview: This two-day computer-based course develops practical skills in basic statistical and graphical data analysis techniques using Microsoft Excel. It aims to equip participants with the skills to:
  • identify the steps involved in data analysis;
  • summarise and display survey data in graphical and tabular form;
  • find simple relationships in survey data; and
  • test for statistically significant differences between survey results.

Is this course for me? This course is designed for people with limited training and exposure to statistical analysis who need to learn how to analyse and describe data that have been collected in surveys. A mathematical background is beneficial but not essential. Previous experience using spreadsheets is recommended.

Dates: 18 May 2010 and 15 June 2010

Cost: $750 (inc. GST) per person


Turning Data Into Information

Overview: This two-day course is intended to provide skills in interpreting, communicating and displaying data clearly and effectively. Participants will gain skills in transforming data into meaningful written information, particularly in respect to social policy issues. At the completion of this course participants will be able to:
  • understand how the collection and compilation of data affects their usefulness, quality and relevance;
  • communicate results and prepare written reports;
  • construct good tables and graphs; and
  • recognise possible pitfalls in analysis.

Is this course for me? This course will be most beneficial to people who need to use data to produce reports or social commentary, or people who are involved with monitoring and evaluation in a social context.

Date: 2 June 2010

Cost: $750 (inc. GST) per person


Understanding Demographic Data

Overview: This 1 day course provides an understanding of the demographic data framework and the processes which shape the population and includes practical exercises in the analysis of demographic data. At the completion of this course participants will have an:
  • Understanding of the demographic data framework
  • Understanding of processes which shape the population
  • Basic ability to analyse demographic data

Is this course for me? This course would be useful for people who use and/or need to understand demographic data.

Date: 8 June 2010

Cost:$450 (inc. GST)


Introduction to Labour Statistics

Overview: This 1 day course provides an overview of the range of concepts and issues associated with ABS labour statistics. It explores the data produced by both household and employer based collections, and highlights the range of products available to access labour-related data. At the completion of this course participants will have an:
  • Understanding of key labour concepts and issues
  • Awareness of available ABS labour-related data and products

Is this course for me? This course would be useful for people who use and/or need to understand ABS labour statistics.

Date: 16 June 2010

Cost: $450 (inc. GST)

Basic Survey Design

Overview: The aim of this 2 day course is to give a broad overview of all facets of survey development. The course covers developing survey objectives, advantages and disadvantages of various collection methodologies, questionnaire development, data processing and reporting of results. At the completion of this course participants will have the:
  • Ability to formulate survey objectives and prepare project briefs
  • Appreciation of issues and limitations associated with survey management and design
  • Identification of appropriate survey techniques for data collection
  • Understanding of the entire survey process

Is this course for me? This course would be useful for people who will be involved in conducting a sample survey, or people who would like to gain a broad understanding of the issues associated with the survey process.

Date: 25 June 2010

Cost: $750 (inc. GST) per person


Making Quality Informed Decisions

Overview: Need to introduce some quality into your statistical decision making?

This one-day course introduces the concept of 'holistic quality' through the use of a data quality framework. The framework ensures that users of statistics are able to assess whether the statistics are fit for their intended use. This course will provide participants with an increased understanding of:
  • how to set up a quality framework;
  • risk management in making statistical decisions;
  • how to assess datasets in the context of data need; and
  • using information on data quality to make better informed decisions.

Is this course for me? This course would be useful for anyone who uses statistics in decision making, or is involved in producing statistics and wants to ensure that statistics are used appropriately.

Date: 21 July 2010

Cost: $450 (inc. GST) per person

Further details of training courses and registrations forms can be found on the ABS Training home page.