1285.0 - Demographic Variables, 1999

ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 11/08/1999

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Contents >> Sex >> Classification and coding

The classification criteria

8. Physical biology is the criterion used to classify persons into the categories 'male' and 'female'. This criterion is physical rather than genetic to cover the exceptional cases such as sex change operations. In the vast majority of cases the physical and genetic categories are identical.

The standard classification

9. Sex is a flat classification having only one level with the two categories 'Male' and 'Female'.

10. In some situations there may be a need for the additional category 'Intersex or Indeterminate'. This refers to a person, who because of a genetic condition, was born with reproductive organs or sex chromosomes that are not exclusively male or female (for whatever reason).

The code structure

11. The code structure is simply:

Male

Female

12. If it is necessary to include the category 'Intersex or Indeterminate', it should be allocated the code '3'.

Residual categories and codes

13. Not applicable.

Supplementary codes

14. The following supplementary code is used to code inadequately described responses and non-responses:

Not stated/Inadequately described

Scope of the variable

15. The variable Sex applies to all persons.

Application of the classification to other variables

16. The Sex classification is not applicable to any other variable.