Representing variables according to the ISO/IEC standard

Structuring Variables Statistical Unit

Structuring Variables Statistical Unit The unit of observation and measurement for which data are collected and derived. In ISO 11179= object class Can be a person, a thing or an event

Structuring Variables PropertyStatistical Unit

Structuring Variables PropertyStatistical Unit A characteristic or attribute common to all members of a statistical unit “Occurrence” is a special property for cases where the variable is simply a count (or measure) of the statistical units

Structuring Variables PropertyStatistical Unit Data Element Concept

Structuring Variables PropertyStatistical Unit Data Element Concept A concept that can be represented in the form of a data element, described independently of any particular representation. amalgamation of the statistical unit and the property.

Structuring Variables Representation Property Statistical Unit Data Element Concept

Structuring Variables Representation Property Statistical Unit Data Element Concept The representation describes how the data are represented to represent a DEC logically a representation must be added ISO guidelines and examples for representation terms include Name, Type, Amount, Quantity, Number, Etc.

Structuring Variables Variable Representation Property Statistical Unit Data Element Concept

Structuring Variables Variable Representation Property Object Class Data Element Concept A variable is a data item for which the definition, identification, representation, and permissible values are specified by means of a set of attributes. A variable consists of the (statistical unit+ property + representation). This can be termed an “abstract data element” for ISO 11179

Structuring Variables Value domain Representation Property Statistical Unit Data Element Concept Variable

Structuring Variables Value domain Representation Property Statistical Unit Data Element Concept Variable The set of values that a variable can assume Can be enumerated or non- enumerated

Structuring Variables Value domain Representation Property Statistical Unit Data Element Concept VariableData element

Naming Convention The naming convention for variables: – of of Examples: –Type of Industry of Establishment –Value of Revenue of Enterprise

Format for Definitions The definition of the variable –Includes a description of its constituent parts (statistical unit, property, representation) –Provides links to the classification(s) or the unit(s) of measure associated with the variable

Value domains Non-enumerated: –Units of Measure Quantity: Units, weights, volumes Value: constant Cdn $, current Cdn $ Enumerated: –Type Various classifications of product type