Analysis

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: The problem considered in this paper is the estimation of various agricultural variables using a multiple frame approach. The list frame is completely contained within the area frame. The stratification for the list and area frames are based on different criteria. Overall, the multiple frame shows some gains in terms of variance over the area frame. However, a more careful analysis reveals problem areas associated with the list frame such as the method of stratification and the degeneration of list strata over time.

Description: This article presents the methodology and analysis of two major pretests undertaken in order to compare the effectiveness of different interviewing methods and to assess the feasibility of collecting information which would meet Victimization Survey information requirements.

Description: This article provides insights into the rates of COVID-19 mortality among First Nations peoples and Métis living in private dwellings and the social determinants of COVID-19 mortality among these populations using data from the 2016 Canadian Census Health and Environment Cohorts linked to the Canadian Vital Statistics – Death Database from 2016 to 2021.

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 short video explains how it can be very effective for all levels of governments and organizations that serve communities to use disaggregated data to make evidence-informed public policy decisions. By using disaggregated data, policymakers are able to design more appropriate and effective policies that meet the needs of each diverse and unique Canadian.

Description: This short video explains how the use of disaggregated data can help policymakers to develop more targeted and effective policies by identifying the unique needs and challenges faced by different demographic groups.

Description: A series of articles on various subjects which explore the impact of COVID-19 on the socio-economic landscape. New articles will be released periodically.

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:

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.

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This paper describes the procedures used and results of a joint Canada Centre for Remote Sensing (CCRS) and Statistics Canada project to provide a timely potato acreage estimate for New Brunswick, a major potato producing province in Canada. The project has demonstrated that satellite imagery combined with more traditional potato area estimation procedures can lower respondent burden, produce timely crop distribution maps and produce reliable estimates for subregions.

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A theory of sampling on two occasions with unequal probabilities and without replacement is presented. Fellegi’s (1963) method, which yields the same selection probabilities for a given unit on each occasion, is used to select the units for the rotation sample. The variances of composite estimators of the population total on the second occasion are developed. Numerical results are presented for small sample sizes and efficiency comparisons are made with a competing strategy.

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The modern statistical survey is an effective method of meeting the ever-increasing demand for timely and accurate data. One important component of the statistical survey is the questionnaire. This article discusses the role of the questionnaire in meeting the needs of users, the relationship of the questionnaire to the other components of survey design, and the effect of the questionnaire on the quality of survey data. The importance of viewing the questionnaire as an integral part of the total survey design is stressed.

Description:

Estimates from sample surveys are sometimes required for domains whose boundaries do not coincide with those of design strata. Taking the Canadian Labour Force Survey as an example of a survey utilizing a clustered sample design, some alternative small area estimation techniques available in the literature are evaluated empirically including synthetic, domain (simple and post-stratified) and composite estimators which are linear combinations of synthetic and post-stratified domain estimators. A sample dependent estimator which attaches weight to the post-stratified domain estimate depending on the amount of sample in the domain is proposed and its performance is also evaluated.

Description:

This article presents findings from a study to characterize responding and non-responding households in the Labour Force Survey (LFS). This study was motivated by two projects associated with the LFS Redesign, namely, the family estimation project and evaluation of non-response compensation procedures. However, the results of the study are of general interest in the assessment of the quality of data emanating from the LFS.

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The paper attempts to evaluate the impact of non-response adjustment by rotation groups on rotation group bias in the estimates from the Canadian Labour Force Survey. Results on bias and non-response characteristics are presented and discussed. An index used to measure rotation group bias is given and some empirical results are analyzed.

Description:

Survey data collected by statistical agencies is most likely to be processed through to the tabulation stage by these agencies. The computer programs associated with this processing are also most likely tailored to the particular design and variables used. The statistics computed from such surveys typically range from simple descriptive totals and means to these required for analytic studies such as comparison of domains, regression analysis and contingency tables analysis. This paper describes a computer program which computes these statistics and their associated sampling errors for commonly used sampling designs.

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The problems associated with making analytical inferences from data based on complex sample designs are reviewed. A basic issue is the definition of the parameter of interest and whether it is a superpopulation model parameter or a finite population parameter. General methods based on a generalized Wald Statistics and its modification or on modifications of classical test statistics are discussed. More detail is given on specific methods-on linear models and regression and on categorical data analysis.

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This paper presents an outline of the nonresponse research which is carried out at the Netherlands Central Bureau of Statistics. The phenomenon of nonresponse is put into a general frame-work. The extent of nonresponse is indicated with figures from a number of CBS-surveys. The use of auxiliary variables is discussed as a means for obtaining information about nonrespondents. These variables can be used either to characterize nonrespondents or as stratification variables in adjustment procedures.

Adjustment for nonresponse bias by means of subgroup weighting is considered in more detail. Finally, the last section lists a number of other methods which also aim at reduction of the bias.

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.

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