Statistical techniques

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All (207)

All (207) (40 to 50 of 207 results)

41. Data ethics: An introduction Archived
Stats in brief: 89-20-00062022001
Description:
Gathering, exploring, analyzing and interpreting data are essential steps in producing information that benefits society, the economy and the environment. To properly conduct these processes, data ethics ethics must be upheld in order to ensure the appropriate use of data.

Release date: 2022-05-24
42. FAIR data principles: What is FAIR? Archived
Stats in brief: 89-20-00062022002
Description:
This video will break down what it means to be FAIR in terms of data and metadata, and how each pillar of FAIR serves to guide data users and producers alike, as they navigate their way through the data journey, in order to gain maximum, long term value.

Release date: 2022-05-24
43. Statistics 101: Confidence intervals Archived
Stats in brief: 89-20-00062022003
Description:
By the end of this video you will understand what confidence intervals are, why we use them, and what factors have an impact on them.

Release date: 2022-05-24
44. Estimating the false negatives due to blocking in record linkage
Articles and reports: 12-001-X202100200002
Description:
When linking massive data sets, blocking is used to select a manageable subset of record pairs at the expense of losing a few matched pairs. This loss is an important component of the overall linkage error, because blocking decisions are made early on in the linkage process, with no way to revise them in subsequent steps. Yet, measuring this contribution is still a major challenge because of the need to model all the pairs in the Cartesian product of the sources, not just those satisfying the blocking criteria. Unfortunately, previous error models are of little use because they typically do not meet this requirement. This paper addresses the issue with a new finite mixture model, which dispenses with clerical reviews, training data, or the assumption that the linkage variables are conditionally independent. It applies when applying a standard blocking procedure for the linkage of a file to a register or a census with complete coverage, where both sources are free of duplicate records.
Release date: 2022-01-06
45. Study: A 30-year look at the work histories of Canadian workers Archived
Stats in brief: 11-001-X202134332266
Description: Release published in The Daily – Statistics Canada’s official release bulletin
Release date: 2021-12-09
46. Integrating Machine Learning into Coding of the 2021 Canadian Census Using fastText Archived
Articles and reports: 11-522-X202100100010
Description: As part of processing for the 2021 Canadian Census, the write-in responses to 31 census questions must be coded. Up until, and including, 2016, this was a three stage process, including an “interactive (human) coding” step as the second stage. This human coding step is both lengthy and expensive, spanning many months and requiring the hiring and training of a large number of temporary employees. With this in mind, for 2021, this stage was either augmented with or replaced entirely by machine learning models using the "fastText" algorithm. This presentation will discuss the implementation of this algorithm and the challenges and decisions taken along the way.

Key Words: Natural Language Processing, Machine Learning, fastText, Coding
Release date: 2021-11-05
47. Statistics Netherlands and AI Archived
Articles and reports: 11-522-X202100100011
Description: The ways in which AI may affect the world of official statistics are manifold and Statistics Netherlands (CBS) is actively exploring how it can use AI within its societal role. The paper describes a number of AI-related areas where CBS is currently active: use of AI for its own statistics production and statistical R&D, the development of a national AI monitor, the support of other government bodies with expertise on fair data and fair algorithms, data sharing under safe and secure conditions, and engaging in AI-related collaborations.

Key Words: Artificial Intelligence; Official Statistics; Data Sharing; Fair Algorithms; AI monitoring; Collaboration.
Release date: 2021-11-05
48. Machine Learning Classifier Evaluation Criteria: application to price statistics Archived
Articles and reports: 11-522-X202100100012
Description: The modernization of price statistics by National Statistical Offices (NSO) such as Statistics Canada focuses on the adoption of alternative data sources that include the near-universe of all products sold in the country, a scale that requires machine learning classification of the data. The process of evaluating classifiers to select appropriate ones for production, as well as monitoring classifiers once in production, needs to be based on robust metrics to measure misclassification. As commonly utilized metrics, such as the Fß-score may not take into account key aspects applicable to prices statistics in all cases, such as unequal importance of categories, a careful consideration of the metric space is necessary to select appropriate methods to evaluate classifiers. This working paper provides insight on the metric space applicable to price statistics and proposes an operational framework to evaluate and monitor classifiers, focusing specifically on the needs of the Canadian Consumer Prices Index and demonstrating discussed metrics using a publicly available dataset.

Key Words: Consumer price index; supervised classification; evaluation metrics; taxonomy
Release date: 2021-11-05
49. Need for Speed: Using fastText (Machine Learning) to Code the Labour Force Survey Archived
Articles and reports: 11-522-X202100100013
Description: Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey (LFS) plays a fundamental role in the mandate of Statistics Canada. The labour market information provided by the LFS is among the most timely and important measures of the Canadian economy’s overall performance. An integral part of the LFS monthly data processing is the coding of respondent’s industry according to the North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS), occupation according to the National Occupational Classification System (NOC) and the Primary Class of Workers (PCOW). Each month, up to 20,000 records are coded manually. In 2020, Statistics Canada worked on developing Machine Learning models using fastText to code responses to the LFS questionnaire according to the three classifications mentioned previously. This article will provide an overview on the methodology developed and results obtained from a potential application of the use of fastText into the LFS coding process.

Key Words: Machine Learning; Labour Force Survey; Text classification; fastText.
Release date: 2021-11-05
50. An Approximate Bayesian Approach to Improving Probability Sample Estimators Using a Supplementary Non-Probability Sample Archived
Articles and reports: 11-522-X202100100008
Description:
Non-probability samples are being increasingly explored by National Statistical Offices as a complement to probability samples. We consider the scenario where the variable of interest and auxiliary variables are observed in both a probability and non-probability sample. Our objective is to use data from the non-probability sample to improve the efficiency of survey-weighted estimates obtained from the probability sample. Recently, Sakshaug, Wisniowski, Ruiz and Blom (2019) and Wisniowski, Sakshaug, Ruiz and Blom (2020) proposed a Bayesian approach to integrating data from both samples for the estimation of model parameters. In their approach, non-probability sample data are used to determine the prior distribution of model parameters, and the posterior distribution is obtained under the assumption that the probability sampling design is ignorable (or not informative). We extend this Bayesian approach to the prediction of finite population parameters under non-ignorable (or informative) sampling by conditioning on appropriate survey-weighted statistics. We illustrate the properties of our predictor through a simulation study.
Key Words: Bayesian prediction; Gibbs sampling; Non-ignorable sampling; Statistical data integration.

Release date: 2021-10-29

Data (1)

Data (1) ((1 result))

1. Income divergence index (D-index) by census tract
Table: 11-10-0074-01
Geography: Census tract
Frequency: Occasional
Description:
The divergence index (D-index) describes the degree that families with different income levels are mixing together in neighbourhoods. It compares neighbourhood (census tract, CT) discrete income distributions to a base distribution, which is the income quintiles of the neighbourhood’s census metropolitan area (CMA).

Release date: 2020-06-22

Analysis (199)

Analysis (199) (0 to 10 of 199 results)

1. Analytical Studies: Methods and References
Journals and periodicals: 11-633-X
Description: Papers in this series provide background discussions of the methods used to develop data for economic, health, and social analytical studies at Statistics Canada. They are intended to provide readers with information on the statistical methods, standards and definitions used to develop databases for research purposes. All papers in this series have undergone peer and institutional review to ensure that they conform to Statistics Canada's mandate and adhere to generally accepted standards of good professional practice.
Release date: 2026-04-24
2. Effects of model misspecification on small area estimators
Articles and reports: 12-001-X202500200001
Description: Nested error regression models are commonly used to incorporate unit specific auxiliary variables to improve small area estimates. When the mean structure of the model is misspecified, the design-based mean squared prediction error (MSPE) of Empirical Best Linear Unbiased Predictors (EBLUP) generally increases. The Observed Best Prediction (OBP) method has been proposed with the intent to improve on the design-based MSPE over EBLUP. In this paper, we conduct a Monte Carlo simulation experiments to understand the effect of misspsecification of mean structures on different small area estimators. Our findings suggest that the OBP using unit-level auxiliary variables does not outperform the EBLUP in terms of design-based MSPE, unless the number of small areas m is extremely large. Conversely, the performance of OBP significantly improves when area-level auxiliary variables are employed. This paper includes both analytical and numerical evidence to demonstrate these observations, providing practical insights for addressing model misspecification in small area estimation (SAE).
Release date: 2025-12-23
3. Integrating probability and non-probability samples through deep learning-based mass imputation
Articles and reports: 12-001-X202500200007
Description: Although probability samples have been regarded as the gold standard to collect information for population-based study, non-probability samples have been used frequently in practice due to low cost, convenience, and the lack of the sampling frame for the survey. Naïve estimates based on non-probability samples without any adjustments may be misleading due to selection bias. Recently, a valid data integration approach that includes mass imputation, propensity score weighting, and calibration has been used to improve the representativeness of non-probability samples. The effectiveness of the mass imputation approach depends on the underlying model assumptions. In this paper, we propose using deep learning for the mass imputation in the combining of probability and non-probability samples and compare it with several modern machine learning-based mass imputation approaches, including generalized additive modeling, regression tree, random forest, and XG-boosting. In the simulation study, deep learning-based approaches have been shown to be more robust and effective than other mass imputation approaches against the failure of underlying model assumptions under non-linearity scenarios.
Release date: 2025-12-23
4. Generalized regression estimation under misspecified sample design
Articles and reports: 12-001-X202500200008
Description: Classical design-based survey estimation relies on a properly specified sampling design for valid inference. We consider the properties of regression estimation under a misspecified sample design, in which the nominal and true inclusion probabilities do not necessarily match. This general misspecified sample design setting encompasses many challenges in the modern survey environment. Under this setting, an asymptotic analysis of the regression estimator, an expression of the bias, and an expression of the variance are presented. Further, a consistent variance estimator is derived and an expression which estimates the bias in-part or in-whole is discussed. This later expression may be used as an indicator of the presence of bias due to misspecification by a practitioner. A simulation study is conducted to support the presented theory.
Release date: 2025-12-23
5. Mapping location and co-location of industries at the neighborhood level: A spatial kernel density approach
Articles and reports: 18-001-X2025001
Description: This paper brings the analysis of business cluster to a more granular geographic scale by developing a methodology for identifying business clusters at the neighborhood level. The proposed method identifies clusters of businesses at the DB level, which is one of the most granular spatial units of analysis defined by Statistics Canada. The method is developed with an application to four census metropolitan areas (CMAs) of different sizes and for different industry cluster specifications, including simple 2-digit North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) groups as well as industry clusters resulting from groupings of NAICS codes, as defined by Delgado et al. (2014).
Release date: 2025-10-10
6. Efficient Record Linkage for Large Datasets by Business Names Archived
Articles and reports: 11-522-X202500100019
Description: Accurate and efficient record linkage is crucial for maintaining a comprehensive and current Statistical Business Register (SBR) at Statistics Canada. Linking external business lists to the SBR by name presents computational and methodological challenges, especially as data volumes grow. This paper describes a scalable methodology that employs blocking techniques to constrain the computational search space and integrates multiple similarity measures—from edit distances and n-gram overlaps to embedding-based methods using Sentence-BERT (SBERT)—to identify likely matches. By combining simple character-level comparisons with more advanced semantic embedding methods, the approach can adapt to various naming conventions and complexities. While it does not guarantee superior accuracy in all circumstances, it offers a pragmatic balance between computational feasibility and linkage quality.
Release date: 2025-09-08
7. Evaluating the Accuracy when Linking Records in Waves Archived
Articles and reports: 11-522-X202500100020
Description: At Statistics Canada, many data sets are linked with quasi-identifiers such as the first name, last name, or address. In such cases, linkage errors are a potential concern and must be measured. In that regard, previous studies have shown that the evaluation may be based on modeling the number of links from a given record while accounting for all the interactions among the linkage variables and dispensing with clerical reviews, so long as the decision to link two records does not involve other records. In this communication, the methodology is adapted for a class of practical strategies, which violate this constraint by linking the records in consecutive waves, where a given wave links a subset of the records that are not linked in previous waves. In particular, the linkage may be based on a deterministic wave followed by a probabilistic one.
Release date: 2025-09-08
8. Model-Based Threshold Selection for Agricultural Linkages Archived
Articles and reports: 11-522-X202500100021
Description: Optimal threshold selection is a critical challenge in probabilistic linkage, with significant implications for the accuracy and reliability of linked datasets. This paper analyzes the performance of the neighbour model, a recently proposed error model which models linkage errors by the number of links from each record. Three threshold selection algorithms utilizing the neighbour model were assessed, highlighting the strengths and limitations of each. Their performance was assessed through simulation studies, which demonstrated that methods using the neighbour model achieved lower relative bias compared to two established methods for threshold selection. Additionally, the practical utility was validated through goodness-of-fit tests conducted on four agricultural datasets, showing the potential of the model for use in real-world applications.
Release date: 2025-09-08
9. T1 Redesign: T1 Partnership Identification Process Archived
Articles and reports: 11-522-X202500100022
Description: In Canada, T1 Tax forms are used to report personal income, whether earned as an employee or through self-employment. Income from self-employment, or "T1 Business Income" is reported by sole proprietorships or partnerships. A T1 partnership involves two or more legal entities jointly filing for a shared business. T1 business data is received as individual filings, meaning partnerships are received separately for each partner. Internal record linkage within the T1 business database is performed to identify partnerships and prevent overcoverage within the final population of T1 businesses. This new T1 partnership identification process takes advantage of newer algorithms, such as DBSCAN numerical clustering fuzzy matching, to identify internal linkages. Graph theory is used to construct the list of partnerships from the row-pairs identified in the linkage process.
Release date: 2025-09-08
10. Development of Linkage-Adjusted Weights Accounting for Gender for the 2021 Canadian Census Health and Environment Cohort Archived
Articles and reports: 11-522-X202500100023
Description: The latest Canadian Census Health and Environment Cohort (CanCHEC) continues a series of population-based microdata linkages focused on population health research by demographic, social and economic characteristics. The 2021 CanCHEC consists of 95.5% of the 2021 Census long-form sample survey records. The records of survey respondents that could not be linked to the Derived Record Depository and those presumed to be duplicates account for the remaining 4.5%. Linkage-adjusted main and replicate weights allow researchers to estimate and evaluate the variance of summary measures about population health in the presence of missed linked pairs to better understand the experiences of diverse population groups.
Release date: 2025-09-08

Reference (7)

Reference (7) ((7 results))

1. Methods for Constructing Life Tables for Canada, Provinces and Territories
Surveys and statistical programs – Documentation: 84-538-X
Geography: Canada
Description: This electronic publication presents the methodology underlying the production of the life tables for Canada, provinces and territories.
Release date: 2023-08-28
2. Canadian Cancer Registry System Guide, 2007 Edition Archived
Surveys and statistical programs – Documentation: 82-225-X200701010508
Description:
The Record Linkage Overview describes the process used in annual internal record linkage of the Canadian Cancer Registry. The steps include: preparation; pre-processing; record linkage; post-processing; analysis and resolution; resolution entry; and, resolution processing.
Release date: 2008-01-18
3. Using the postal code as merge key for independent data files: matching data from the Canadian Census and an administrative file of school test scores in Quebec Archived
Surveys and statistical programs – Documentation: 11-522-X20050019476
Description:
The paper will show how, using data published by Statistics Canada and available from member libraries of the CREPUQ, a linkage approach using postal codes makes it possible to link the data from the outcomes file to a set of contextual variables. These variables could then contribute to producing, on an exploratory basis, a better index to explain the varied outcomes of students from schools. In terms of the impact, the proposed index could show more effectively the limitations of ranking students and schools when this information is not given sufficient weight.
Release date: 2007-03-02
4. The Integrated Approach to Economic Surveys in Canada Archived
Surveys and statistical programs – Documentation: 68-514-X
Description:
Statistics Canada's approach to gathering and disseminating economic data has developed over several decades into a highly integrated system for collection and estimation that feeds the framework of the Canadian System of National Accounts.
The key to this approach was creation of the Unified Enterprise Survey, the goal of which was to improve the consistency, coherence, breadth and depth of business survey data.
The UES did so by bringing many of Statistics Canada's individual annual business surveys under a common framework. This framework included a single survey frame, a sample design framework, conceptual harmonization of survey content, means of using relevant administrative data, common data collection, processing and analysis tools, and a common data warehouse.
Release date: 2006-11-20
5. The Longitudinal Administrative Databank (LAD) and the Longitudinal Immigration Database (IMDB): Building the LAD_IMDB - A Technical Paper Archived
Surveys and statistical programs – Documentation: 89-612-X
Description:
This paper describes the structure and linkage of two databases: the Longitudinal Administrative Databank (LAD), and the Longitudinal Immigration Database (IMDB). The combined data associate landed immigrant taxfilers on the LAD with their key characteristics upon immigration. The paper highlights how the combined information, referred to here as the LAD_IMDB, enhances and complements the existing separate databases. The paper compares the full IMDB file with the sample of immigrants to assess the representativeness of the sample file.
Release date: 2004-01-05
6. Linking Provincial Student Assessments with National and International Assessments Archived
Surveys and statistical programs – Documentation: 81-595-M2003005
Geography: Canada
Description:
This paper develops technical procedures that may enable ministries of education to link provincial tests with national and international tests in order to compare standards and report results on a common scale.
Release date: 2003-05-29
7. An Overview of the Issues Related to the Use of Personal Identifiers Archived
Surveys and statistical programs – Documentation: 85-602-X
Description:
The purpose of this report is to provide an overview of existing methods and techniques making use of personal identifiers to support record linkage. Record linkage can be loosely defined as a methodology for manipulating and / or transforming personal identifiers from individual data records from one or more operational databases and subsequently attempting to match these personal identifiers to create a composite record about an individual. Record linkage is not intended to uniquely identify individuals for operational purposes; however, it does provide probabilistic matches of varying degrees of reliability for use in statistical reporting. Techniques employed in record linkage may also be of use for investigative purposes to help narrow the field of search against existing databases when some form of personal identification information exists.
Release date: 2000-12-05

Date modified:: 2026-05-17

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