 SUPPORT MATERIAL
How To Use CensusAtSchool Data
The CensusAtSchool data is available for teachers to use in ways they believe is most appropriate for their teaching and learning environment. Having access to rows of real, raw data provides students with the opportunity to make meaningful use of statistics.
Students can extract data on their own from the Random Sampler. This will provide them with a real sense of ownership of the data. For your convenience, a range of data samples have already been downloaded into an Excel spreadsheet and a series of tables of information prepared.
Use the Random Sampler
Students can extract data on their own from the Random Sampler. This will provide them with a real sense of ownership of the data. It also means that each student will have their own individual sample. As the sampler is random, each sample will be different and the information from the sample will vary.
The ABS does not permit the situation where students can be identified by the responses they provide. In the Random Sampler, you will receive an error message if there is a chance of identifying an individual student from their response. It is best to leave all characteristics with the default "All" setting. Students will tend to make a selection from each list. Please discourage this. Students should restrict their selections to only those characteristics that are necessary. The more characteristics that are chosen, the greater the likelihood of getting a "no sample".
The "no sample" error message will be given if there is even a slight possibility a student will be identified from their responses. A 10% rule has been added to the sampler. To get a sample of 200 records with certain characteristics, there must be at least 2,000 students with those characteristics in the database. Samples will only be made available where it is not possible to identify individual students.
When a student receives a "no sample" error message they have three choices:
- reduce the size of the sample they are requesting or;
- Increase the postcode range. Choosing a state/territory is a good starting point
reduce the number of characteristics that have selected. The more default "All" settings the greater the likelihood of returning the requested sample.
It is a good idea to have at least one of the prepared samples available for students in case Internet access presents a problem.
Use The Prepared Spreadsheets
A range of questionnaire response data samples that have already been downloaded into an Excel spreadsheet can be found on the Data Samples page. In some cases, the samples have been simplified to make them easier for students to read. Using the prepared samples will mean that every student in the class will have the same data sample and will derive the same information. It also means that access to the Internet is not required.
If you would like other samples added, please contact CensusAtSchool by email censusatschool@abs.gov.au.
Use The Prepared Tables
A range of table, some with summary information can be found on the Information Tables page.
If you would like other tables of information added, please contact CensusAtSchool by email censusatschool@abs.gov.au. These tables have been prepared to give teachers the option of a hard copy version of the CensusAtSchool data. They will be of particular interest to classes where the emphasis is on the use of information.
If you would like other tables of information added, please contact CensusAtSchool by email censusatschool@abs.gov.au.
Senior Students
Senior students can use the questionnaire response data as a source in their study of univariate and bivariate data. The CensusAtSchool activities are written for middle year students but the data can feasibly be used by any year level. Moreover, the activities can be modified to include more sophisticated concepts such as standard deviation, variance, correlation, confidence levels and linear modelling. A powerful strategy to explore variation is for every student in the class to take their own random sample and make comparisons across the class.
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Conduct Your Own Questionnaire
Students may wish to investigate a topic that requires data that is unavailable on the Random Sampler. They can conduct their own data collection and present their findings in class.
Frequently Asked Questions
The FAQs page should answer any further questions you have about using the questionnaire response data. |
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This page last updated 25 July 2008 | 
