Analysis

Description:

The synthetic estimator (SYN) has been traditionally used to estimate characteristics of small domains. Although it has the advantage of a small variance, it can be seriously biased in some small domains which depart in structure from the overall domains. Särndal (1981) introduced the regression estimator (REG) in the context of domain estimation. This estimator is nearly unbiased, however, it has two drawbacks; (i) its variance can be considerable in some small domains and (ii) it can take on negative values in situations that do not allow such values.

In this paper, we report on a compromise estimator which strikes a balance between the two estimators SYN and REG. This estimator, called the modified regression estimator (MRE), has the advantage of a considerably reduced variance compared to the REG estimator and has a smaller Mean Squared Error than the SYN estimator in domains where the latter is badly biased. The MRE estimator eliminates the drawback with negative values mentioned above. These results are supported by a Monte Carlo study involving 500 samples.

Description:

This paper presents an overview of the methodology used in the processing of the 1981 Census of Agriculture data. The edit and imputation techniques are stressed, with emphasis on the multivariate search algorithm. A brief evaluation of the system’s performance is given.

Description:

Following each decennial population census, the Canadian Labour Force Survey (CLFS) has undergone a sample redesign to reflect changes in population characteristics and to respond to changes in information needs. The current redesign program which culminated with introduction of a new sample at the beginning of 1985 included extensive research into improved sample design, data collection and estimation methodologies, highlights of which are described.

Description:

Goodness of fit tests, tests for independence in a two-way contingency table, log-linear models and logistic regression models are investigated in the context of samples which are obtained from complex survey designs. Suggested approximations to the null distributions are reviewed and some examples from the Canada Health Survey and Canadian Labour Force Survey are given. Software implementation for using these methods is briefly discussed.

Description:

This paper presents a moving average which estimates the trend-cycle while eliminating seasonality from semi-annual series (observed twice yearly). The proposed average retains the power of all cycles which last three years or more; 90% of those of two years; and 55% of cycles of one year and a half. By comparison, the two by two moving average retains the power of respectively 75%, 50% and 25% of the same cycles.

Description:

This paper discusses the use of matching between files of comparable data in the evaluation of non-sampling error. As an example of the technique, the data quality evaluation of the 1981 Canadian Census of Agriculture is described and some results presented.

Description:

A finite population of size N is supposed to contain M (unknown) units of a specified category A (say) constituting a domain with mean \mu. A procedure which involves drawing units using simple random sampling without replacement till a preassigned number of members of the domain is reached is proposed. An unbiased estimator of \mu is also derived. This is seen to be superior to the corresponding possibly biased estimator based on a comparable SRSWOR scheme with a fixed number of draws. The proposed scheme is also shown to admit unbiased estimators of M and the domain total T.

Description:

In response to a need for data on disabled persons in Canada, Statistics Canada undertook a program to create a disability database. This includes using supplements to the Canadian Labour Force Survey in the Fall of 1983 and the Spring of 1984, as well as including questions on the 1986 Census of Population. A general discussion of the background and content of the survey is presented. A comparison of screening methodologies conducted by Statistics Canada in November 1982 and January 1983 is presented and the results are compared.

Description:

This presentation describes the important and urgent task of providing useful expressions for analytical statistics for complex sample designs. The following topics are discussed: effects of complex designs, sampling error for analytical statistics, subclasses involved in analytical statistics, comparisons of paired means, computation of analytical statistics and categorical data analysis.

Description:

Univariate statistical models, linear regression models and generalized linear models are briefly reviewed. Examples of a two-way analysis of variance, a three-way analysis of variance and logistic regression for a three way layout are given.

Description: Release published in The Daily – Statistics Canada’s official release bulletin

Description: Canada's workforce is among the most educated in the world. But when it comes to worker productivity, we've seen a real slump over the past few years. The quarterly data published by StatCan in June 2024 confirms Canadian workers are continuing to underperform compared to our neighbours to the south. This comes as no surprise to this episode's guest, Guy Gellatly, Chief Economic Advisor at StatCan. The latest quarterly numbers are a continuation of an ongoing decline in Canada's productivity that economists have been tracking for years. 

But what factors influence worker productivity? And why does it matter if Canadians are less productive? As a matter of face, what even is productivity? In this episode, we asked Guy to help us understand how we got to this point and why it matters for Canadians.

Description: Release published in The Daily – Statistics Canada’s official release bulletin

Description: Release published in The Daily – Statistics Canada’s official release bulletin

Description: Release published in The Daily – Statistics Canada’s official release bulletin

Description: Release published in The Daily – Statistics Canada’s official release bulletin

Description: Release published in The Daily – Statistics Canada’s official release bulletin

Description: Release published in The Daily – Statistics Canada’s official release bulletin

Description: Release published in The Daily – Statistics Canada’s official release bulletin

Description: Release published in The Daily – Statistics Canada’s official release bulletin

Description: Kennedy, Mercer, and Lau explore misreporting by respondents in non-probability samples and discover a new feature, namely that of deliberate misreporting of demographic characteristics. This finding suggests that the “arms race” between researchers and those determined to disrupt the practice of social science is not over and researchers need to account for such respondents if using high-quality probability surveys to help reduce error in non-probability samples.

Description: Nonprobability samples are quick and low-cost and have become popular for some types of survey research. Kennedy, Mercer and Lau examine data quality issues associated with opt-in nonprobability samples frequently used in the United States. They show that the estimates from these samples have serious problems that go beyond representativeness. A total survey error perspective is important for evaluating all types of surveys.

Description: Statistical approaches developed for nonprobability samples generally focus on nonrandom selection as the primary reason survey respondents might differ systematically from the target population. Well-established theory states that in these instances, by conditioning on the necessary auxiliary variables, selection can be rendered ignorable and survey estimates will be free of bias. But this logic rests on the assumption that measurement error is nonexistent or small. In this study we test this assumption in two ways. First, we use a large benchmarking study to identify subgroups for which errors in commercial, online nonprobability samples are especially large in ways that are unlikely due to selection effects. Then we present a follow-up study examining one cause of the large errors: bogus responding (i.e., survey answers that are fraudulent, mischievous or otherwise insincere). We find that bogus responding, particularly among respondents identifying as young or Hispanic, is a significant and widespread problem in commercial, online nonprobability samples, at least in the United States. This research highlights the need for statisticians working with commercial nonprobability samples to address bogus responding and issues of representativeness – not just the latter.

Description: This paper is an introduction to the special issue on the use of nonprobability samples featuring three papers that were presented at the 29^th Morris Hansen Lecture by Courtney Kennedy, Yan Li and Jean-François Beaumont.

Description: This article explores results from the survey related to the use of AI in producing goods and delivering services. Furthermore, this article explains the specific types of AI being used, such as machine learning, virtual agents and voice recognition, as well as the impact of AI adoption on tasks performed by employees and on employment levels. It involves an examination of the data produced by the Canadian Survey on Business Conditions.

Description: Extreme heat has significant impacts on mortality. In Canada, past research has analyzed the degree to which non-accidental mortality increases during single extreme heat events; however, few studies have considered multiple causes of death and the impacts of extreme heat events on mortality over longer time periods. This study analyzes the impacts of extreme heat events on nonaccidental, cardiovascular, and respiratory deaths from 2000 to 2020 in 12 of the largest cities in Canada.

Description: Optimal oral health is an essential element of healthy aging. Oral health problems such as tooth loss, periodontal disease, and dry mouth accumulate throughout adult life and worsen with increasing age. Using data from the 2019/2020 Canadian Health Survey on Seniors, this study explores the link between dental insurance, income, and oral health care access among seniors (aged 65 and over) in Canada. It contributes to the understanding of oral health care among seniors before the implementation of the Canadian Dental Care Plan.

Description: This paper describes the composition of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) basket and the changes introduced with the 2024 basket update, based on 2023 expenditure weights.

Description: With the proportion of small businesses making up nearly all of the employer businesses in Canada, small businesses are an important role in employing Canadians and are a significant driver towards economic recovery. This article provides insights on the expectations of small businesses as well as the unique conditions faced by these businesses in the second quarter of 2024. It involves an examination of the data produced by the Canadian Survey on Business Conditions.

Description: This article examines trends in rates of employment and unemployment, as well as hourly wages and work hours, for the year 2023, and explores how disability intersects with age, sex, educational attainment, and racialized groups to influence labour market outcomes.

Description: Demographic documentsis a series of texts intended for scholars and researchers, published occasionally by the Demography Division of Statistics Canada for their methodological, analytical or descriptive interest in the population field.

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.

Description: This article presents results from the first Survey of Sexual Misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces. Namely, the prevalence of general sexualized behaviour in the workplace; discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity; personal experiences of discrimination or sexualized behaviour; the prevalence of sexual assault; and knowledge of policies on sexual misconduct and perceptions of responses to sexual misconduct are examined. Where possible, results are analyzed by sex, environmental command, type of service, age, rank, and number of years of service.

Description: This publication features short, informative articles focusing on specific justice-related issues. For more in-depth articles on justice in Canada, see also Juristat, Catalogue no. 85-002-X.

Description:

Each issue contains a short article highlighting statistical insights on themes relating to agriculture, food and rural issues.

Description: This publication presents energy balance sheets in natural units and heat equivalents in primary and secondary forms, by province. Each balance sheet shows data on production, trade, interprovincial movements, conversion and consumption by sector. Analytical tables and details on non-energy products are also included. It includes explanatory notes, a historical energy summary table and data analysis. The publication also presents data on natural gas liquids, electricity generated from fossil fuels, solid wood waste and spent pulping liquor.

Description: The Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS) outlines departmental actions, with measurable performance indicators, that support the implementation strategies of the 2022-2026 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy. The DSDS further outlines Statistics Canada’s sustainable development vision to produce data to help track whether Canada is moving toward a more sustainable future and highlights projects with links to supporting sustainable development goals.

Description: This series provides detailed documentation on the issues, concepts, methodology, data quality and other relevant research related to household expenditures from the Survey of Household Spending, the Homeowner Repair and Renovation Survey and the Food Expenditure Survey.

Description: This report summarizes the annual achievements of the Methodology Research and Development Program (MRDP) sponsored by the Modern Statistical Methods and Data Science Branch at Statistics Canada. This program covers research and development activities in statistical methods with potentially broad application in the agency’s statistical programs; these activities would otherwise be less likely to be carried out during the provision of regular methodology services to those programs. The MRDP also includes activities that provide support in the application of past successful developments in order to promote the use of the results of research and development work. Selected prospective research activities are also presented.

Description: The series covers environment accounts and indicators, environmental surveys, spatial environmental information and other research related to environmental statistics. The technical paper series is intended to stimulate discussion on a range of environmental topics.