USING THE CRIMINAL COURTS DATA DICTIONARY
INTRODUCTION
As noted in Chapter 1, the data dictionary contains 27 data elements/concepts that are used in the ABS and COAG criminal court collections. These data elements were chosen because they provide a range of information that is pertinent to the measurement of criminal courts activity in Australia.
COLLECTING CRIMINAL COURTS DATA
The administrative systems used by the courts to manage their daily operations are an important source of courts statistics. Broadly, these systems contain information on demographic characteristics of defendants (e.g. age, sex), offences, sentences and court workloads. As the systems have been established to meet the recording needs of each court, there is significant variation across the states and territories with regard to systems used and processing procedures employed (e.g. mandatory fields). Some states/territories do not yet have fully computerised recording practices while for those that do, periodically these systems are reviewed and re-developed or replaced to improve functionality.
Different legislation in the states and territories regarding court jurisdiction adds to the complexity of producing comparable courts statistics. The allocation of cases to courts varies across states and territories due to differences in court jurisdictions (e.g. some states and territories do not have intermediate courts), and availability of specialist courts (e.g. Drug Court) and tribunals. Thus, the type of matters heard in a court level can vary between each state and territory.
The ABS recommends that the national classifications and standards referenced in the 27 data elements and data element concepts in the data dictionary be used when collecting information about these data elements/concepts. This will ensure that consistent and comparable data are collected.
When implementing these classifications and standards in collections it is recommended that agencies adopt the definitions, recommended question modules, classifications and coding structures provided in the data dictionary. For the data elements sex, age and Indigenous Status, responses to data element questions should be classified using standard ABS classifications and associated coding procedures. These classifications are well researched and soundly developed and their use enables the ready comparison of data from different sources. The use of coding indexes designed to complement the classifications will simplify the coding process and improve data accuracy.
It is recommended that data be captured and stored at the most detailed level of the classifications wherever possible. This allows the greatest flexibility for the output of statistics, enables more detailed and complex analysis, facilitates comparisons with previous data using different classifications and preserves information so as to provide maximum flexibility for future use of data.
Organisations may need to review and adjust their measurement tools and data processing procedures to fully implement the classifications and standards proposed for each data element in their collections. While implementation of the data elements may involve some initial costs and inconvenience, consistent use of the data elements will ultimately result in improved usefulness of information collected.
USING CRIMINAL COURTS DATA
The data dictionary aims to guide how the data relating to each data element is to be collected and reported.
Use by organisations will depend on the data requirements and operational aims of each organisation. The data dictionary points to standard statistical classifications and definitions, which could be used in administrative systems and statistical collections to maximise the comparability of court-related statistics across the different sources.
ABS STANDARDS FOR SEX, AGE AND INDIGENOUS STATUS
Users of the data dictionary should be aware that while the data element attributes for Sex, Age and Indigenous status are based on ABS standards, some deviations from the ABS standard (for example the data domain and output categories) have been necessary to extend the standard appropriately to the criminal courts. Where this occurs it has been noted within the applicable data attribute. Users wishing to refer to the ABS standards for Sex, Age and Indigenous Status, for purposes other than a criminal courts collection, are referred to the ABS web site (from the ABS home page (<www.abs.gov.au>) select: Methods, Classifications, Concepts & Standards/ABS concepts, classifications and statistical standards/12. Classifications and work manuals/1200.0 Standards for Social, Labour and Demographic Variables).
MAINTENANCE OF THE DATA DICTIONARY
One of the aims of the data dictionary is to be flexible, expanding over time to ensure the comparability of the criminal courts collections. This flexibility is best assured if the same agency has responsibility for maintaining the content and monitoring the quality of the implementation of the standards in the data dictionary. It is envisaged that the ABS will have primary responsibility for maintaining the data dictionary, subject to ongoing resources.
ISSUES FOR NEXT VERSION OF DATA DICTIONARY
The NCCSU is currently producing experimental Children's Criminal Court data. Version 2 of the National Criminal Courts Data Dictionary will include amendments or additions to data items arising from the inclusion of this court level.
CONTACT DETAILS
For more information about the data dictionary, please contact the NCCSU at the ABS. Feedback or comments on this report are welcome.
Postal address:
Director
National Criminal Courts Statistics Unit
GPO Box 2796Y
Melbourne Vic 3001
Email:
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