TECHNICAL NOTE DATA QUALITY
NON-SAMPLING ERROR
1 Non-sampling errors may arise as a result of errors in the reporting or processing of data. These errors can be introduced through inadequacies in the questionnaire, treatment of non-response, inaccurate reporting by providers, errors in the application of survey procedures, incorrect recording of answers and errors in data capture and processing.
2 The extent to which non-sampling error affects the results is difficult to measure. Every effort is made to minimise non-sampling error by careful design and testing of the collection instrument, the use of efficient operating procedures and systems, and the use of appropriate methodologies.
Reliability of statistics
3 When interpreting the statistics in this publication, the reliability of the estimates may be affected by the following specific non-sampling errors:
- Many organisations provided estimates due to a lack of separately recorded data on R&D activity.
- Data were subjectively classified, by organisations, to research fields, socio-economic objectives and types of activity at the time of reporting. Some organisations may have experienced difficulty in classifying their R&D projects. The ABS makes every effort to ensure correct and consistent interpretation and reporting of these data by applying consistent processing methodologies.
- Estimation of overhead R&D expenditure varied across organisations.
REVISIONS
4 Revisions to 2002-03 Business sector data were applied for significant changes where there were: errors in previously reported data; and newly identified R&D performers in the previous cycle(s). For more information see the Technical note in Research and Experimental Development, Businesses, Australia, 2004-05 (cat. no. 8104.0).
5 In 2004-05, revisions were not applied to previous cycle data for the Higher education, Government and Private non-profit sectors. For more information on revisions in these sectors, see the Technical note in the respective sector publications.
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