Data and Social Research Chuck Humphrey Data Library Rutherford North Library

Outline Research data Connect how social research uses quantitative evidence with data Discuss how statistics are related to data Statistics are about definitions and classifications Being a critical user of statistics Understanding the Census Aggregate data and microdata

Uses of quantitative evidence Providing a description of social phenomena This typically entails answering the question about the scale or scope of some social group or characteristics of the group. Making a comparison among social entities This typically involves establishing the degree of similarity or dissimilarity among social entities. Identifying relationships among social variables This approach looks at the correlation among social phenomena. How are things related?

How statistics and data differ Statistics numeric facts & figures derived from data, i.e, already processed presentation-ready needs definitions published Data numeric files created and organized for analysis or processing requires processing not display-ready needs detailed documentation disseminated, not published

Six dimensions or variables in this table The cells in the table are the number of estimated smokers. Geography Region Time Periods Social Content Smokers Education Age Sex Statistics and data

Statistics are about definitions! Statistics are dependent on definitions. You may think of statistics as numbers, but the numbers represent measurements or observations based on specific definitions.definitions Tables are structured around geography, time and social content based on attributes of the unit of observation. These properties all need definitions.

Statistics are about definitions! Consider the following example from the 2006 Canadian Census on the data behind some statistics about visible minorities. Visible Minority Groups (15), Generation Status (4), Age Groups (9) and Sex (3) for the Population 15 Years and Over of Canada, Provinces, Territories, Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations, 2006 Census - 20% Sample Data

Statistics are about definitions! How is visible minority status identified in the Census? Are aboriginals among the visible minority in Canada? What is the definition of visible minority?

Classifications Sex Total Male Female Periods Statistics involve classifications

Some classifications are based on standards while others are based on convention or practice. For example, Standard Geography classificationsStandard Geography classifications Statistics involve classifications

Statistics are derived from observational, experimental and computational data. A table is a format for displaying statistics and presents a summary or one view of the data. Tables are structured around geography, time and attributes of the unit of observation. Statistics are dependent on definitions. Working with data requires some computing skills with analytic software. Facts about statistics and data

Who published this statistic?  Can you name the producer or distributor of the data?  You need this information to provide a citation for each statistic.  You should ask yourself what motive is behind this published statistic. What view of the data is shown in this statistic?  What level of geography is shown?  What time period is shown?  What social characteristics are shown? Questions to ask about statistics

What concepts are represented in this statistic?  Are definitions provided with the statistic for geography, time or the social characteristics?  Was a standard classification system used for the categories of the statistic? Can you identify a data source for the statistic?  If there isn’t a data source, the statistic isn’t real.  Is there enough information that you could find the data?  Can you name the data source itself? Questions to ask about statistics

Statistics are presentation ready Tables and charts (or graphs) are typically used to display many statistics at once. You will find statistics sprinkled in text as part of a narrative describing some phenomenon; but tables and charts are the primary methods of organizing and presenting statistics.

Population and demographics The Census is one of the most important sources of statistical information about Canada. It is the largest survey conducted in Canada and, consequently, is the primary source for small area statistics. To use data from the Census, you must know:  The characteristics collected in the Census that are available for the spatial units used to disseminate results;  The variety of spatial units used to disseminate Census results.

Census of Population Two forms are used to collect the Census: 2A, which goes to 80% of the households, and 2B, which goes to the other 20%. In 2006, the 2A form contained 8 questions while the 2B form had these 8 plus 53 additional questions. Long history of specific questions (see the Census Dictionary.)history of specific questions You need to understand the content of the Census to know what statistics are possible from the Census.

Post- Censal Post- Censal PALS EDS APS PALS EDS APS PUMF RDC DATA Public Use Microdata Aggregate STATS STC Website Custom Tabulations DLI CENSUS 2006 CENSUS 2006

Microdata and aggregate data Microdata from observational methods created from the respondents in a survey Aggregate Data statistics organized in a data file structure derived from microdata sources used in GIS & time series analysis

Spatial Unit Geo-code

Geo-referenced data The unit analysis makes up the rows in the data file and is the object being described by the other variables the file. The values for this variable are geo-codes for Census tracts.

Geo-referenced data This case in the data file represents Census Tract , which was shown in the image two slides earlier.

The variety of spatial units Statistics Canada groups the variety of spatial units associated with the Census into two groups: Source for the graphics: Illustrated Glossary, 2006 Census Geography, Statistics Canada Source: Illustrated Glossary, 2006 Census Geography, Statistics Canada

Urban small area statistics Census Metropolitan Areas Source for the graphic: Illustrated Glossary, 2006 Census Geography, Statistics Canada Metropolitan Areas 2006Map of Edmonton CMA

Census results for 2006 Standard Census data products Highlight tables Profiles Census trends Topic-based tabulations For smaller areas outside CMAs or for dissemination areas, need to retrieve from the Data Library Data Library Public use microdata files for individuals

CANSIM CANSIM is a very large database containing socio-economic statistics for Canada. There are currently over 38 million time series organized in approximately 2,800 tables. The statistics in CANSIM come from surveys (e.g., the Labour Force Survey), administrative data (e.g., crime and justice) and simulations or models (e.g., population projections).surveyscrime and justicepopulation projections Geography, content and time are basic to retrieving time series from CANSIM.

Online copies of questionnaires and data documentation from DLI.   Online catalogues, such as the Statistics Canada DLI title list, the ICPSR catalogue, the CESSDA portal and the ASSDA Nesstar server.     Tools for working with data

Online access to data through IDLS  Off line access through the Data Library  Rutherford North, 1 st Floor ( ) Statistical software, such as SPSS  Tools for working with data