Analysis

Description: My brief as a speaker was to comment on points raised in the opening session, within the general theme of serving the needs of research users in the 1980’s. This scheme did not allow a prepared paper, and my impromptu comments tended to be discussive. Below is a summary of my main points, leaving out anecdotes and examples used in the actual talk.

Description: This paper deals with the desirability of designing surveys in such a way that results can be compared to previous existing data. The writer explains why there are practical difficulties in assessing the significance of data collected in a one-time survey where these data stand alone and are not readily comparable to other existing data, i.e., where control group data or other benchmarks do not exist.

Description: The government survey sponsor should plan carefully what he expects to get from the supplier, specifying who is to do what, when, including details of what the sponsor will do. If there are many eligible suppliers, only a small number should be invited to submit proposals, increasing as the value of the contract increases. Procedures for screening suppliers and selecting the successful one should be organized before proposals are received. These should include visits to review suppliers, facilities and organization, as a good relationship between a sponsor and a supplier depends largely on good faith and willing cooperation. Sponsor-supplier relationships are more formal, and more time-consuming in the selection process, than in the private sector.

Description: Various research methods are discussed in terms of evaluating government programs and meeting the needs of users in the private sector. A brief evaluation of social trend studies is given, as well as a description of problems associated with consumer research.

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The paper illustrates several practical problems in the adaptation of statistical theory to survey design in the context of the revision of an employment survey programme.

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The Reverse Record Check is the main vehicle used to assess the level of undercoverage in the Canadian Census of Population. A sample of persons is selected from sources independent of the current census and extensive tracing operations are undertaken to determine the usual address of each selected person as of Census day. Census records are then checked to determine whether or not each selected person was enumerated. The tracing is by far the most complex, costly and time-consuming operation associated with this study. It involves extensive use of administrative records as well as tracing in the field. This paper describes the various tracing methods used as well as the success obtained from each of them.

Description: In this paper three types of ratio estimators, namely combined, post-stratified and a generalized ratio estimator developed earlier by Singh (1969) and Naga Reddy (1974), are considered. Based on an empirical evaluation, their efficiencies are compared for two large scale household surveys, namely the Canadian Labour Force Survey and the Survey of Consumer Finances.

Description: Statistics on sales of establishments classified as restaurants, caterers and taverns have been collected since 1951. The sample has not been updated for births since 1968 and as a result, it is not representative of the current universe. This paper reports on several methodological aspects of the redesign. The sampling unit, sample design, sample size and allocation, data collection methods, edits and imputations, accumulations and calculations, frame and sample maintenance are described. The new survey will reduce manual procedures wherever possible. Collection, editing, imputation, tabulation and updating procedures will be completely computerized. Data collection will be decentralized and will take place via telephone.

Description: The Farm Expenditure Survey was developed to provide annual expenditure estimates for the Western Grain Stabilization Act which is an income stabilization program for grain farmers in the prairies and Peace River district of British Columbia. This paper describes the design of the 1979 survey which incorporated a stratified two-stage design in the area sample and a single take-all stratum in the list sample.

Description: An alternative to the direct selection of sample is suggested, which while retaining the efficiency at the same level simplifies the selection and variance estimation processes in a wide variety of situations. If n* is the largest feasible pPS sample size that can be drawn from a given population of size N, then the proposed method entails selection of m (=N - n*) units using a pPS scheme and rejecting these units from the population such that the remainder is a pPS sample of n* units; the final sample of n units is then selected as a subsample from the remainder set. This method for selecting the pPS sample can be seen as an analogue of SRS where it is well known that the “unsampled” part of the population as well as any subsample from this part are also SRS from the entire population when SRS is the procedure used. The method is very practical for situations where m is less than the actual sample size n. Moreover, the method has the additional advantage in the context of continuing surveys, e.g. Canadian Labour Force Survey (LFS), where the number of primary sampling units (PSU’s) may have to be increased (or decreased) subsequent to the initial selection of the sample. The method also has advantages in the case of sample rotation. Main features of the proposed scheme and its limitations are given. Efficiency of the method is also evaluated empirically.

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

Description: This infographic focuses on innovation and business strategy in Canada, based on data from the 2022 Survey of Innovation and Business Strategy. It presents the long-term strategy for innovative businesses and non-innovative businesses, the innovation rate and intellectual property(IP) ownership for multinational businesses and non-multinational businesses, the competition, and the skill shortages in Canadian businesses.

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

Description: Are you feeling like it's a little bit harder to bring home the bacon... from the grocery store? The latest data indicate that food prices have mostly stabilized... but why does it feel like the cost of feeding your family is still going up? Today, we're talking food inflation with StatCan's resident smart cookie Taylor Mitchell.

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: This infographic uses data from the 2018 and 2022 Canadian Internet Use Survey to examine patterns and trends in online banking by population groups.

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

Description: From January 2nd to February 5th, 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 iteration of the survey focuses on business expectations and business conditions in Canada. In addition, the questionnaire for the first quarter of 2024 includes a component specifically for non-profit organizations (NPOs). The intent of this set of questions is to address a present data gap and to provide a better understanding of the non-profit sector. This infographic presents key results from this.

Description:

The paper shows different estimation methods for complex survey designs. Among others, estimation of mean, ratio and regression coefficient is presented. The standard errors are estimated by different methods: the ordinary least squares procedure, the stratified weighted sample procedure, the stratified unit weight procedure, etc. Theory of large samples and conditions to apply it are also presented.

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Cost models to determine an optimum allocation of the sample among stages in cluster samples are considered. Results from a proposed cost model, which directly considers the implications of follow-up visits to sample clusters as well as other travel to and from the field by data collectors, are compared with results from existing cost models. The proposed model generally calls for fewer clusters with more elements selected per cluster than the existing models.

Description:

This study considers the suitability of composite estimation techniques for the Canadian Labour Force Survey. The performance of a class of AK composite estimators introduced initially by Gurney and Daly is investigated for several characteristics. While the ordinary composite estimate has a large bias, the AK composite estimate is capable of reducing the bias. Composite estimates having minimum variance and minimum mean square error are compared.

Description:

The oil crisis of the mid-1970’s triggered a new awareness among Canadians of the importance of energy conservation. The resulting government programs in the transportation sector demanded basic data about on-the-road fuel consumption by motor vehicles operating in Canadian conditions. This paper describes the Passenger Car Fuel Consumption Survey which was developed jointly by Statistics Canada and Transport Canada to meet this need. The methodology of the survey is described and some examples of the results are presented. The paper concludes with some speculation about future directions for the survey and for vehicle-usage statistics in general.

Description:

In order to improve the timeliness, accuracy and consistency of population estimates for different geographic areas, Statistics Canada has developed new methods of estimation for sub-provincial areas (census divisions and census metropolitan areas). Beginning with 1982, two sets of population estimates (regression and component based) will be published yearly, appearing 3-4 months and 12-15 months, respectively, from the reference date.

The regression technique uses family allowance recipients as the main symptomatic indicator and where available, additional indicators - reference population from provincial health insurance files and hydro accounts - to derive population change for the current year. The first set is obtained by adding this change to the second set for the previous year produced by the component method, with births and deaths from vital registers, and estimated migration from Revenue Canada taxation files. The two sets were found to be statistically similar with respect to accuracy, though the first set is more timely, and the second provides more details on the components of population change.

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This paper firstly provides an overview of the For-hire Trucking Survey background and of the steps that were involved in the revision that led to its re-design. It secondly describes the general direction of the methodology of the re-designed survey which is being implemented for reference year 1981.

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The Air Scheduled International Passenger Origin and Destination (ASIPOD) estimation system uses the data from two air traffic surveys to produce origin-destination estimates of international passengers. The “assignment technique” is the solution to the problem caused by the non-coverage of non-interlining traffic. The assumptions of the technique are sufficiently questionable to warrant an evaluation of the bias of the estimates. However, major improvements will be made in the new system which will decrease the bias in the estimates. Also, estimates of reliability will be produced. And as a result, knowledge of the strength of the inferences made with respect to air traffic markets from these estimates will be improved in international bilateral air negotiations.

Description:

Statistics Canada, Canada’s central statistical agency, has been compiling national mortality statistics, including those on cancer mortality since 1921. Also, cancer incidence data are available from 1969.

The data quality of these files may be assessed in a variety of ways. Ratios of cancer mortality to incidence give some information on coverage errors. Micro-data matches between incidence and mortality files give an indication of misclassifications. As well, multiple registrations for cancer incidence may be duplicates. Completeness and availability of data items are also important for special studies.

In this paper, the feasibility of using these measures of data quality and the implications of these measures are discussed.

Description:

The Canadian Labour Force Survey is a household survey conducted each month for the purpose of producing point-in-time estimates of the number of persons employed, unemployed and not in the labor force. The survey has a rotating panel design in which all individuals in a sampled household location are interviewed each month, for six consecutive months. In the past, little use has been made of this longitudinal structure, although considerable interest has been expressed in the month-to-month gross flows (transitions) amongst the labour force status categories. In this paper we discuss methods being considered by Statistics Canada for the production of gross flow estimates, but from a model-based perspective.

Description:

The peach, sour cherry and the grape objective yield surveys have been carried out annually in the Niagara Peninsula since 1964 in order to forecast the magnitude of change in marketable fruit production from the previous year. Timeliness of the estimates is essential in order to enable the Ontario Tender Fruit Growers Marketing Board (OTFGMB) and the Ontario Grape Growers Marketing Board (OGGMB) to establish the marketing strategies well ahead of the harvest. This paper summarizes the major changes due to the second redesign initiated in 1982. In particular, the sample design, data collection operation and modifications of the estimation procedures are elaborated upon.

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.

Description: This series of analytical articles provides insights on the socio-economic environment in rural communities in Canada. New articles will be released periodically.

Description: Statistics Canada is committed to sharing our knowledge and expertise to help all Canadians develop their data literacy skills by developing a series of data literacy training resources. Data literacy is a key skill needed in the 21st century. It is generally described as the ability to derive meaning from data. Data literacy focuses on the competencies or skills involved in working with data, including the ability to read, analyze, interpret, visualize data, as well as to drive good decision-making.