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.
3 Some errors in reporting by providers for past reference periods were identified during processing of the 2004-05 survey. Because of extensive changes in organisation structures and personnel since 2002-03, particularly in the Government sector, it was not possible to obtain accurate past data from these providers. This has had some impact on the comparability between 2004-05 data and previously published estimates.
Reliability of Statistics
4 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.
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