4240.0.55.002 - National Early Childhood Education and Care Collection: Data Collection Guide, 2012  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 13/03/2013   
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STATISTICAL LINKAGE KEY MATCH CODE

Technical name: Matching instance of Statistical Linkage Key indicator (Child)
METeOR identifier: N/A
METeOR link: N/A
METeOR definition: N/A
Note: This is an additional data element, requested for the following purpose: To accurately connect episodes of preschool to a child record.

    Scope

    Inclusions: All children enrolled in a preschool program that have multiple episode records.
    Exclusions: Child records that have only one discrete episode record.

    Underlying Concepts

    Concept: The Statistical Linkage Key Match Code identifies where two or more episode records are related to a child record.
    Nominal definition: N/A.
    Operational definition: N/A
    Supporting data elements: The following data element is used to support the matching statistical linkage keys:

    Conceptual issues:
    • This data element facilitates correct handling of complex scenarios where several duplicate SLKs belong to two or more children.

    Standard Jurisdictional Output Categories

    Representation class: Code
    Data type: Number
    Format: NNNNN, for example 2
    Maximum character length: 5

    Classification values:
      Blank - Non matching SLK
      1 to 99,999 - Matching SLK record (sequential numbering depending on the number of children that have multiple episode records)

    2.1.1 LEGAL VALUE CHECKS

    Edit specificationsEdit resolution
    1.If SLK Match is not numeric or BlankProvide a valid SLK Match.
    2. If character length is greater than 5.Provide a valid SLK Match.


    Guide for Use

    Counting rules:
      Refer to the table below for further detail regarding correct use of matching SLK codes.

    MATCHING STATISTICAL LINKING KEY, SCENARIOS AND INSTRUCTIONS

    Matching scenario
    Observation
    Validity status
    Jurisdiction action
    Matching SLK code
    1. Child record has no matching SLK.All records that do not have a matching SLK.Unique SLKNo actionBlank:
    Non Matching SLK
    2. Coincidental match of SLKs produced for 2 discrete children in the same dataset.Confirm that matched SLKs represent different children.
    This may entail cross-checking other characteristics of the child such as address, indigenous status etc.    		Matching SLK but valid multiple children – physically distinct children, twins etc
    		No actionBlank:
    Non Matching SLK
    3. Same child with more than one episode in the reference period in the same dataset.Confirm that matched SLKs represent
    the same child. This may entail cross-checking other characteristics of the child such as address, indigenous status etc.    		Matching SLK for the same childSet SLK Match Code

    Note: Each child will have a unique SLK Match Code to enable grouping of his/her episodes across multiple service providers within the dataset.    		Set sequential SLK Match Code against all episodes for that child, to indicate that they are linked, i.e.
    Assign ‘1’ – to all episodes of the first matched child.
    Assign ‘2’ – to all episodes of the 2nd matched child.
    Assign ‘nn’ – to all episodes of the nnth matched child.

    Operationally this will necessitate two or more occurrences of the same SLK Match code (one for each episode) within the dataset.


    Other Information

    Related aggregate data elements: No related aggregate data element.



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