Analysis

Description: Pseudo weight construction for data integration can be understood in the two-phase sampling framework. Using the two-phase sampling framework, we discuss two approaches to the estimation of propensity scores and develop a new way to construct the propensity score function for data integration using the conditional maximum likelihood method. Results from a limited simulation study are also presented.

Description: Nonprobability samples emerge rapidly to address time-sensitive priority topics in different areas. These data are timely but subject to selection bias. To reduce selection bias, there has been wide literature in survey research investigating the use of propensity-score (PS) adjustment methods to improve the population representativeness of nonprobability samples, using probability-based survey samples as external references. Conditional exchangeability (CE) assumption is one of the key assumptions required by PS-based adjustment methods. In this paper, I first explore the validity of the CE assumption conditional on various balancing score estimates that are used in existing PS-based adjustment methods. An adaptive balancing score is proposed for unbiased estimation of population means. The population mean estimators under the three CE assumptions are evaluated via Monte Carlo simulation studies and illustrated using the NIH SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence study to estimate the proportion of U.S. adults with COVID-19 antibodies from April 01-August 04, 2020.

Description: Our comments respond to discussion from Sen, Brick, and Elliott. We weigh the potential upside and downside of Sen’s suggestion of using machine learning to identify bogus respondents through interactions and improbable combinations of variables. We join Brick in reflecting on bogus respondents’ impact on the state of commercial nonprobability surveys. Finally, we consider Elliott’s discussion of solutions to the challenge raised in our study.

Description: This discussion summarizes the interesting new findings around measurement errors in opt-in surveys by Kennedy, Mercer and Lau (KML). While KML enlighten readers about “bogus responding” and possible patterns in them, this discussion suggests combining these new-found results with other avenues of research in nonprobability sampling, such as improvement of representativeness.

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: Every year, Statistics Canada collects data from hundreds of surveys. As the amount of data gathered increases, Statistics Canada has introduced infographics to help people, business owners, academics, and management at all levels, understand key information derived from the data. Infographics can be used to quickly communicate a message, to simplify the presentation of large amounts of data, to see data patterns and relationships, and to monitor changes in variables over time.

These infographics will provide a quick overview of Statistics Canada survey data.

Description: The journal publishes articles dealing with various aspects of statistical development relevant to a statistical agency, such as design issues in the context of practical constraints, use of different data sources and collection techniques, total survey error, survey evaluation, research in survey methodology, time series analysis, seasonal adjustment, demographic studies, data integration, estimation and data analysis methods, and general survey systems development. The emphasis is placed on the development and evaluation of specific methodologies as applied to data collection or the data themselves.

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

Description: Using Census data, this infographic provides data trends on the size of the South Asian population, as well admission categories, top source countries and an overview of the historical migration levels of selected South Asian populations.

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

Description: Using data from the 2022 Canadian Survey on Disability, this American Sign Language video examines disability characteristics among Canadians aged 15 years of age and older, as well as their employment experiences and information on income and poverty, and unmet needs for disability supports because of cost.

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

Description: From April 2nd to May 6th, 2024, Statistics Canada conducted the Canadian Survey on Business Conditions. The purpose of this survey is to collect information on businesses in Canada related to emerging issues. This infographic presents key results from this.

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

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This article looks at the changes in immigration to Canada during the 20th century.

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This article looks at the evolution of heritage languages in the last half of the 20th century, with a focus on their transmission from one generation to the next.

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This article looks at the household characteristics of children aged 5 to 14 who play sports, with special focus on their parents' involvement in sport.

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This article uses the measure of dependence-free life expectancy to ask whether the additional years of life gained over the last century are being lived in good health.

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The statistics presented in this bulletin are derived from the 1998 survey of industrial Research and development activities in Canada and from Canada Customs and Revenue Agency's administrative data for firms performing or funding R&D under $1 million . In 1997, a decision was made to eliminate the short survey forms in favour of administrative data in order to reduce the response burden. The survey collects information on the Research and development spending intentions for 2000, the estimates for 1999 and the actual expenditures for 1998 of corporations performing Research and development activities in Canada.

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Changing the focus - from the individual to the family, from one week to one year - can dramatically alter perceptions of unemployment. This article compares alternative measures with the official rate over the last two decades.

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Some taxes may be higher, some lower than in other developed nations, but overall Canada's effective tax rate is middle-of-the-road. Using OECD data, this study compares several tax-t0-GDP ratios of the G-7 and the 29 OECD countires.

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Payroll taxes vary widely in level and growth across the provinces. Of the nine taxes, only three are nationwide. This article looks at trends across the country. It also briefly compares total Canadian payroll taxes with those of other G-7 and OECD nations.

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This article examines the issue of non-union members who are covered by collective agreements, comparing the Canadian picture in the late 1990s with that of the United States. An accompanying update, which covers the first half of 2000, provides Perspectives annual socio-demograhic and economic profile of union members.

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For some time, concerns have been raised about the movement of young people away from rural areas, mainly to find work. This article provides information on the extent to which youths stay, leave or return to rural communities. (Adapted from a recently published analytical report.)

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In 1997, the rubber products industries (Major Group 15) increased the value of its shipments by 7.7% from the previous year. According to the Monthly Survey of Manufacturing (MSM), shipments grew an additional 6.6% in 1998. This strength is largely due to low inflation, low interest rates, increased exports and increased demand for automobiles.

This document presents an overview of rubber products manufacturing in Canada and highlights key factors which have contributed to its improved performance over the last few years. Most of the data presented are based on the 1997 Annual Survey of Manufactures (ASM).

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This report presents results from the Survey of 1995 Graduates Who Moved to the United States. Both the survey and this report were conducted in partnership between Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) and Statistics Canada. The survey covered post-secondary graduates from the class of '95 who moved to the U.S. between graduation and the summer of 1997. These graduates were surveyed to obtain information on their characteristics, reasons for relocating to the U.S., education and work experiences, and plans for the future.

This report is also available on HRDC's web site at: www.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/arb. Additional reports on the experience of post-secondary graduates are also available on the same web site.

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This document is an examination of the present use of two case management tools in the Canadian civil courts: time limits and formal notification requirements. Time limits refer to the established time periods outlined for the conclusion of critical steps in the litigation process. These address individual case movement in the court system. Formal notification requirements relate to an obligation by the parties to notify the court when an action has terminated. These requirements serve to inform overall case disposition irrespective of any target disposition dates that may be in effect.

The current study examines the situation in Canadian provinces and territories with respect to the existence and observance of time limits and formal notification requirements. This examination is timely because a number of jurisdictions are presently engaged in building or modifying automated case management systems. As well, many jurisdictions are re-examining case management in an attempt to increase the speed of case processing and lessen backlog in the courts.

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This publication presents data from four special studies conducted in Canadian civil courts by Statistics Canada's Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics.

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The second edition of Historical statistics of Canada was jointly produced by the Social Science Federation of Canada and Statistics Canada in 1983. This volume contains about 1,088 statistical tables on the social, economic and institutional conditions of Canada from the start of Confederation in 1867 to the mid-1970s. The tables are arranged in sections with an introduction explaining the content of each section, the principal sources of data for each table, and general explanatory notes regarding the statistics. In most cases, there is sufficient description of the individual series to enable the reader to use them without consulting the numerous basic sources referenced in the publication.

The electronic version of this historical publication is accessible on the Internet site of Statistics Canada as a free downloadable document: text as HTML pages and all tables as individual spreadsheets in a comma delimited format (CSV) (which allows online viewing or downloading).

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The Employment Insurance Coverage Survey was conducted during 4 months of 1998 to provide information on the ceverage of the jobless and part-time worker population by Employment Insurance. It is a survey of individuals sampled from Labour Force Survey participants; these were interviewed by telephone. The report attempts to answer the following questions: How many unemployed persons has insurable employment? How many have access to the benefits provided by EI? How many are eligible for benefits? Those not covered or not receiving benefits are identified. Finally, what are the alternative sources of revenue of the unemployed? This report analyses the main findings from the survey for Canada. It compares outcomes to the previous years' results. It also presents some beneficiary/unemployed ratio data to put the results in a historical context.

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The results of special business surveys conducted on a cost-recovery basis on behalf of clients outside Statistics Canada are published in this series, one issue per survey. The first issue presents the results of the 1995 Survey of Practices in Support of Quality Services in the Federal Public Service.

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The leather and allied products major group includes four industries, the most important of which is the footwear industry. These industries have experienced problems causing a steady shrinkage, which began in the 1960s and continued up to 1996. In 1997, shipments of manufactured goods increased by 6% compared to a 4% drop the previous year. This paper, based mainly on the results of the 1996 Annual Survey of Manufactures (ASM), examines some of the factors affecting these industries and compares their performance with that of the manufacturing sector overall.

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The Youth Custody and Community Services (YCCS) Survey is a micro-data survey, conducted annually since 1992. The YCCS survey collects data from jurisdictional operational systems via electronic interfaces. Data are forwarded to the Centre, processed, and returned to jurisdictions as aggregate data tables for verification and sign-off. The survey collects a wide array of information on young offender admissions to custody and community services (e.g., custody type, crime committed, sentence length, age, gender, Aboriginal/non-Aboriginal). The YCCS annual report is the primary vehicle for disseminating young offender information on prison populations and the use of community sanctions. To date, there have been four releases (Initiative only) of the YCCS annual report. Jurisdictional coverage varied from report to report since YCCS interfaces were phased-in over several years.

Interface projects have been completed, and data are being collected from Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Manitoba, Alberta, British Columbia, and Yukon. In addition, the interface project for Nova Scotia is nearing completion. Together, these jurisdictions represent 47% of the national coverage of youth corrections. While the development of an electronic interface is presently not feasible in some jurisdictions, Ontario and Quebec are able to provide some of the aggregate data required to populate the tables contained in the annual report. With the addition of Ontario and Quebec in 1998-99, only data from Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories would be missing from the annual report.

Further, in preparation for the proposed release of YCCS data, and as part of Statistics Canada's ongoing survey review process, the YCCS survey is currently undergoing a detailed methodological review, with particular attention to data quality issues and output.

The inclusion of aggregate data from Ontario and Quebec will increase the coverage of the YCCS significantly. Also, the methodological review of the YCCS will assess the reliability of the data elements covered in the annual report. Since the survey has been in operation since 1992 and since the YCCS is the primary source of young offender information on prison populations and the use of community sanctions.

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This report, revised in May 1999, describes the Electronic Publications Pilot (EPP) which was conducted to gather knowledge on how library staff and their clients are adjusting to the Internet. The pilot was conducted from September 1996 to September 1997 as a joint initiative of Statistics Canada and the Depository Services Program (DSP), in partnership with the depository library community. The objective of the pilot was to assess the impact of replacing print publications with electronic equivalents via the Internet in DSP libraries. This objective was based on an assumption that the electronic medium will complement print rather than replace it entirely and that departments will continue to produce some print publications in the future. The major conclusions of the pilot cover resources and training, web site feedback, selection of publications for conversion to electronic format, web site access and security, publication functionality and access and archiving.