APPENDIX 3 DATA COMPARISON
COMPARISON OF DATA FROM GSS AND OTHER ABS SOURCES
1 The GSS collected data across a range of topics, many of which have been included in previous ABS surveys. Where possible question modules from existing surveys were used in the GSS questionnaire. This practice ensured that GSS data is highly comparable with that of other surveys that users of the data may wish to compare with. However, due to the number of topics included in the GSS and in order not to overload survey respondents, it was not always possible to adopt the full question modules used in other surveys. For example, personal income was collected via 11 questions in the GSS, while the Survey of Income and Housing (SIH) used more than 40 questions to fully collect personal income data. Many of the additional questions in other surveys simply provide more detailed breakdowns of the data collected. However, in some cases the reduced question modules used in the GSS have resulted in small differences in the definition or scope of data items. Wherever possible standard ABS 'shortened' question modules have been used. These shortened question modules have been designed to maximise comparability with the full question modules and their use also ensures comparability with other surveys where the shortened modules have been used. Users should refer to the Glossary of this publication for the definitions of GSS items and to the General Social Survey: User Guide (cat. no. 4159.0.55.002) for the survey questions.
2 There are other reasons why results from the GSS may differ from other ABS surveys collecting information on the same topic. The GSS is a sample survey and its results are subject to sampling error. GSS results may differ from other sample surveys, which are also subject to sampling error. Users should take account of the RSEs on GSS estimates and those of other survey estimates where comparisons are made. Differences may also exist in the scope and/or coverage of the GSS compared to other surveys.
3 Furthermore, the GSS was collected over the period March to July 2006. Differences in GSS data, when compared to the estimates of other surveys, may result from different reference periods reflecting seasonal variations, non-seasonal events that may have impacted on one period but not another, or because of underlying trends in the phenomena being measured.
4 Finally, differences can occur as a result of using different collection methodologies. This is often evident in comparisons of similar data items reported from different ABS collections where, after taking account of definition and scope differences and sampling error, residual differences remain. These differences often have to do with the mode of the collections, such as whether data is collected by an interviewer or self-enumerated by the respondent, whether the data is collected from the person themselves or from a proxy respondent, and the level of experience of interviewers undertaking the data collection. Differences may also result from the context in which questions are asked, i.e. where in the interview the questions are asked and the nature of questions that are asked beforehand. Because of the nature of such differences between statistical collections, the impacts on data are difficult to quantify. As a result, every effort is made to minimise such differences.
5 The following table, Comparison of Data from GSS and Other ABS Sources, presents comparisons between a number of key GSS data items and similar data items from other ABS sources. As can be seen from the table, GSS data is broadly consistent with other ABS sources. However, there are a number of notable inconsistencies, which are commented on below. Further information about these GSS items and comparisons with other sources can be obtained from the ABS, referring to the contact details noted at the front of this publication.
LABOUR FORCE
6 GSS includes persons aged 18 years or over, living in private dwellings across Australia but excluding persons living in very remote areas. In comparison, the Labour Force Survey (LFS) includes persons living in both private dwellings and non-private dwellings (institutions, hotels, etc.) in all areas of Australia. It is expected that the higher proportion of LFS respondents who reported being not in the labour force (34.5%) compared to the GSS (31.4%) can be attributed to these scope-related differences.
CRIME
7 The 2006 GSS collected two crime related data items: feelings of safety and victimisation. Respondents were asked whether in the last 12 months they had been a victim of physical or threatened violence or had experienced a break-in or attempted break-in. Respondents were also asked about how safe they felt in their home alone both during the day and after dark and walking alone after dark.
8 The rates of victimisation both for physical violence and break-in recorded by the 2006 GSS were substantially higher than those reported in the 2005 National Crime and Safety Survey (NCSS). The GSS also reported a somewhat different pattern of feelings of safety compared to the NCSS, most notably with a higher proportion of people reporting safe or very safe at home during the day and after dark. The NCSS used a considerably longer question module than the GSS. However, it has not been possible to determine the extent to which the differences between the NCSS and GSS methodologies may have contributed to the different results.
9 However, it is expected that the different ordering of the response categories for feelings of safety questions may have contributed to the data differences. For example, the first response category in the NCSS was 'very unsafe', whereas the first response category in the GSS was 'very safe'. This is known as 'response order effect', where the options presented first may be selected because they make an initial impact on respondents, or because respondents do not hear or read the remaining options.
VOLUNTEERING
10 The voluntary work data collected in 2006, and presented in tables 2 to 16 and table 30, excludes those persons who were required to do unpaid community work for specified reasons (see Voluntary work in Glossary), resulting in a participation rate of 34%. However, the results can be presented in a form that is comparable to previous Voluntary Work Surveys, in 1995 (when Work for the Dole was not a mainstream issue) and in 2000 (when Work for the Dole involvements were excluded). On this basis, the volunteer rate has increased from 24% in 1995, to 32% in 2000 and 34% in 2006.
11 The voluntary work data presented in table 1 for 2002 and 2006 does not exclude work for the dole or any of these other reasons people are required to do community work and therefore indicates a higher rate of voluntary involvement. This comparison shows an increase between the 2002 and 2006 GSS from 34.4% to 35.4%. For further information on voluntary work, and for comparisons over time, please refer to the publication Voluntary Work, Australia (cat. no. 4441.0).
SPORTS AND CULTURAL ATTENDANCE
12 In comparison to the 2005-06 Multipurpose Household Survey (MPHS), for people who reported having attended a sporting event in the last 12 months, the GSS records an attendance rate eight percentage points higher than the MPHS. Similarly, the GSS also shows a greater proportion of people who have attended selected cultural venues and events in the last 12 months. Furthermore, the proportion of people attending each selected cultural venue or event is also greater in the GSS, in particular for libraries and popular music concerts. The 2005-06 MPHS was collected as a supplement to the monthly LFS from July 2005 to June 2006. It is likely that the differences may be related to methodological differences, including the different age scope of the surveys (MPHS enumerated persons aged 15 years or over, while the GSS enumerated only persons aged 18 years or over), context effects, as well as different collection methodologies (face-to-face interview in the GSS versus telephone interview in the MPHS). However, it has not been possible to determine the extent to which the differences between the MPHS and GSS methodologies may have contributed to the different results.
A5 COMPARISON OF DATA FROM GSS AND OTHER ABS SOURCES(a) |
|
| Other ABS source/Data item |  | Source of
comparable
statistics | 2006
GSS |
|
| NATIONAL HEALTH SURVEY, 2004-05 | | | |
| Self-assessed health status(b) | | | |
| | Excellent/very good | % | 56.4 | 57.6 |
| | Good | % | 27.8 | 26.6 |
| | Fair/poor | % | 15.8 | 15.8 |
| SURVEY OF DISABILITY, AGEING AND CARERS, 2003 | | | |
| Whether has disability or long-term health condition(b)(c) | | | |
| | Has disability or long term health condition | % | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| | Has no disability or long term health condition | % | 60.0 | 60.4 |
| LABOUR FORCE SURVEY, MARCH - JULY 2006 | | | |
| Labour force status(b)(d)(e) | | | |
| | Employed full-time | % | 45.6 | 46.8 |
| | Employed part-time | % | 17.0 | 18.7 |
| | Unemployed | % | 2.9 | 3.1 |
| | Not in labour force | % | 34.5 | 31.4 |
| SURVEY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING, 2005 | | | |
| Level of highest educational attainment(b) | | | |
| | Postgraduate degree | % | 3.3 | 3.5 |
| | Graduate Diploma/Graduate Certificate | % | 3.8 | 2.2 |
| | Bachelor Degree | % | 12.3 | 14.8 |
| | Advanced Diploma/Diploma | % | 8.8 | 8.3 |
| | Certificates III/IV | % | 16.9 | 16.2 |
| | Certificates I/II | % | 1.6 | 1.3 |
| | Certificate not further defined | % | 0.1 | 0.1 |
| | Year 12 | % | 16.8 | 17.3 |
| | Year 11 | % | 6.1 | 6.0 |
| | Year 10 or below | % | 29.1 | 28.7 |
| | Level not determined | % | 0.8 | 1.0 |
| Main field of highest educational attainment(b) | | | |
| | Natural and physical sciences | % | 1.8 | 2.0 |
| | Information technology | % | 1.6 | 1.7 |
| | Engineering and related technologies | % | 10.0 | 10.5 |
| | Architecture and building | % | 3.2 | 2.9 |
| | Agriculture, environmental and related studies | % | 1.0 | 1.2 |
| | Health | % | 4.9 | 5.0 |
| | Education | % | 4.4 | 4.1 |
| | Management and commerce | % | 9.8 | 9.0 |
| | Society and culture | % | 5.8 | 6.2 |
| | Creative arts | % | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| | Food, hospitality and personal services | % | 2.6 | 2.3 |
| | Mixed field programmes | % | 52.0 | 52.1 |
| | Field not determined | % | 0.5 | 0.6 |
| Highest year of school completed(b) | | | |
| | Year 12 | % | 45.6 | 46.9 |
| | Year 11 | % | 10.3 | 10.3 |
| | Year 10 | % | 25.5 | 25.0 |
| | Year 9 | % | 8.2 | 8.6 |
| | Year 8 or below | % | 10.1 | 8.8 |
| | Never attended school | % | 0.4 | 0.4 |
| Full-time/part-time study(b) | | | |
| | Full-time study | % | 5.7 | 4.9 |
| | Part-time study | % | 7.1 | 6.8 |
| | Not studying | % | 87.2 | 88.3 |
| Disability or long term health condition status(b)(f)(g) | | | |
| | Profound or severe core activity limitation | % | 5.1 | 5.7 |
| | Moderate core activity limitation | % | 3.2 | 5.5 |
| | Mild or no core activity limitation(h) | % | 25.6 | 28.4 |
| | No disability and no long term health condition | % | 66.1 | 60.4 |
| Disability type(b)(f)(g)(i) | | | |
| | Sight, hearing, speech | % | 11.3 | 13.8 |
| | Physical | % | 24.9 | 26.3 |
| | Intellectual | % | 2.5 | 2.4 |
| | Psychological | % | 4.7 | 5.2 |
| | Type not specified | % | 11.8 | 20.2 |
| | Has no disability or long-term health condition | % | 66.1 | 60.4 |
| HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY, 2004 | | | |
| Ability to raise $2000 in an emergency(b) | | | |
| | Could raise $2000 within a week | % | 85.7 | 86.9 |
| | Could not raise $2000 within a week | % | 14.3 | 13.1 |
| Number of bedrooms(b)(j) | | | |
| | Bedsitter/One bedroom | % | 4.9 | 3.0 |
| | Two bedrooms | % | 19.2 | 15.4 |
| | Three bedrooms | % | 48.8 | 47.1 |
| | Four bedrooms | % | 23.0 | 27.8 |
| | Five or more bedrooms | % | 4.0 | 6.7 |
| Dwelling structure(b) | | | |
| | Separate house | % | 79.9 | 78.1 |
| | Single storey semi-detached, row or terrace house or townhouse | % | 5.3 | 6.9 |
| | Two or more storey semi-detached, row or terrace house or townhouse | % | 3.2 | 3.9 |
| | Flat or apartment in a 1 or 2 storey block | % | 5.9 | 5.0 |
| | Flat or apartment in a 3 storey block | % | 3.1 | 3.0 |
| | Flat or apartment in a 4 or more storey block | % | 1.9 | 2.5 |
| | Flat attached to a house | % | 0.3 | 0.2 |
| | Other dwelling: Caravan, cabin, houseboat | % | 0.2 | 0.3 |
| | Other dwelling: Improvised home, tent, sleepers out | % | 0.1 | - |
| | House or flat attached to shop or office | % | 0.2 | 0.1 |
| SURVEY OF INCOME AND HOUSING, 2003-04 | | | |
| Tenure type(b) | | | |
| | Owner without a mortgage | % | 34.9 | 35.9 |
| | Owner with a mortgage | % | 35.1 | 36.1 |
| | Renter | % | 27.6 | 23.9 |
| | Other tenure types | % | 2.4 | 4.1 |
| Landlord type(b)(i) | | | |
| | Not applicable | % | 72.4 | 74.0 |
| | Private landlord | % | 21.2 | 20.1 |
| | State housing authority | % | 4.9 | 4.2 |
| | Other landlord type | % | 1.5 | 1.7 |
| | Total renters | % | 27.6 | 26.0 |
| NATIONAL CRIME AND SAFETY SURVEY, 2005 | | | |
| Feelings of safety at home alone during day(k)(g) | | | |
| | Safe or very safe | % | 82.4 | 94.9 |
| | Neither safe nor unsafe | % | 9.1 | 2.7 |
| | Unsafe or very unsafe | % | 4.0 | 1.8 |
| | Never home alone during the day | % | 4.5 | 0.5 |
| Feelings of safety at home alone after dark(k)(g) | | | |
| | Safe or very safe | % | 72.3 | 85.8 |
| | Neither safe nor unsafe | % | 15.2 | 6.3 |
| | Unsafe or very unsafe | % | 8.3 | 6.7 |
| | Never home alone during the day | % | 4.2 | 1.1 |
| Victim of actual or attempted break-in in last 12 months(k)(g) | | | |
| | Victim of actual or attempted break in | % | 5.4 | 9.4 |
| | Not a victim of actual or attempted break-in | % | 94.6 | 90.6 |
| Victim of physical or threatened violence in last 12 months(k)(g) | | | |
| | Victim of physical or threatened violence | % | 4.8 | 10.8 |
| | Not a victim of physical or threatened violence | % | 95.2 | 89.2 |
| HOUSEHOLD USE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, 2005-06 | | | |
| Frequency of Internet access at home in last 12 months(k)(g)(l) | | | |
| | Everyday | % | 42.0 | 43.1 |
| | At least weekly | % | 46.0 | 42.9 |
| | At least monthly | % | 10.0 | 9.9 |
| | At least yearly | % | 2.0 | 4.1 |
| SURVEY OF VOLUNTARY WORK, 2000 | | | |
| Voluntary work in last 12 months(m) | | | |
| | Volunteer rate | % | 31.8 | 34.1 |
| Number of volunteers who did voluntary work in the last 12 months(m) | | | |
| | Male volunteers of all volunteers | % | 47.3 | 46.0 |
| | Female volunteers of all volunteers | % | 52.7 | 54.0 |
| Length of time since first volunteered(m) | | | |
| | Less than 1 year | % | 8.1 | 7.5 |
| | 1- 5 years | % | 28.5 | 22.7 |
| | 6 - 10 years | % | 14.9 | 13.5 |
| | More than 10 years | % | 48.4 | 56.4 |
| Current reasons for being a volunteer(m)(i)(n) | | | |
| | Personal/family involvement | % | 31.3 | 38.1 |
| | Personal satisfaction | % | 42.7 | 45.0 |
| | Social contact | % | 17.9 | 22.5 |
| | Religious beliefs | % | 11.9 | 15.1 |
| | To be active | % | 10.8 | 16.0 |
| | To learn new skills | % | 6.7 | 9.8 |
| | To do something worthwhile | % | 29.5 | 37.1 |
| | Help others/community | % | 47.0 | 58.1 |
| | Gain work experience | % | 3.9 | 5.1 |
| | Use skills/experience | % | 12.7 | 16.5 |
| | Other | % | 12.5 | 10.1 |
| ATTENDANCE AT SELECTED CULTURAL VENUES AND EVENTS, 2005-06 | | | |
| Whether has attended any selected cultural venues or events in last 12 months(b) | | | |
| | Has attended selected culture and leisure activities in last 12 months | % | 84.1 | 88.6 |
| | Has not attended any selected culture and leisure activities in last 12 months | % | 15.9 | 11.4 |
| Which cultural venues and events were attended in last 12 months(b)(i) | | | |
| | Art galleries | % | 22.7 | 28.4 |
| | Museums | % | 22.4 | 27.6 |
| | Zoological parks and aquariums | % | 35.3 | 41.0 |
| | Botanic gardens | % | 34.4 | 40.3 |
| | Libraries | % | 33.4 | 45.6 |
| | Classical music concerts | % | 9.6 | 12.4 |
| | Popular music concerts | % | 24.9 | 32.4 |
| | Theatre performances | % | 16.6 | 21.9 |
| | Dance performances | % | 9.7 | 15.8 |
| | Musicals and operas | % | 16.2 | 23.2 |
| | Other performing arts | % | 16.4 | 22.1 |
| | Cinemas | % | 63.7 | 68.6 |
| PARTICIPATION IN SPORT AND PHYSICAL RECREATION, 2005-06 | | | |
| Whether has participated in sport or recreational physical activity in last 12 months(b) | | | |
| | Participated in sport or recreational physical activity | % | 65.4 | 62.2 |
| | Did not participate in sport or recreational physical activity | % | 34.6 | 37.8 |
| SPORTS ATTENDANCE, 2005-06 | | | |
| Whether has attended any sporting events in last 12 months(b) | | | |
| | Has attended sporting events | % | 43.8 | 52.1 |
| | Has not attended any sporting events | % | 56.2 | 47.9 |
| CHARACTERISTICS OF MIGRANTS, 2004 | | | |
| Persons born overseas(b) | | | |
| | Persons born overseas, year of arrival 1985 or later | % | 12.0 | 12.7 |
| Current visa category(b) | | | |
| | New Zealand citizen | % | 14.6 | 13.1 |
| | Long-term temporary resident | % | 10.3 | 9.5 |
| | Permanent resident - Skilled | % | 26.2 | 31.9 |
| | Permanent resident - Family | % | 30.9 | 27.1 |
| | Permanent resident - Humanitarian | % | 4.6 | 2.9 |
| | Permanent resident - Other | % | 11.4 | 12.7 |
| | Status not determined | % | 2.1 | 2.8 |
|
| - nil or rounded to zero (including null cells) |
| (a) Percentages shown relate to the total population of persons unless otherwise indicated. |
| (b) Data from other source has been restricted to persons 18 years or over to align with GSS data. |
| (c) Data from other source has been restricted to persons living in private dwellings to align with GSS data. |
| (d) Data from other source includes persons living in sparsely settled areas. |
| (e) Data from other source includes persons not living in private dwellings. |
| (f) The SET is considered to be a good source for comparing disability/long-term health conditions data items, as both the SET and GSS used the same shortened disability/long-term health conditions module. |
| (g) GSS data has been collapsed to align with data from other source. |
| (h) GSS data includes 'employment and schooling restriction only'. |
| (i) Categories are not mutually exclusive. |
| (j) Data from other source has been collapsed to align with GSS data. |
| (k) Data from other source includes persons aged 15-17 years and therefore does not align exactly with GSS data. |
| (l) Percentages shown relate to the population of persons who had access and used the Internet in the last 12 months. |
| (m) GSS data has been subset to exclude those persons who were required to do voluntary work because of employment or study commitments, in order to align with data from other source. |
| (n) Percentages shown relate to the population of persons who volunteered in the last 12 months. |
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