Malawi National Seminar on Census Data Analysis Blantyre, Malawi, July 2010 Jeremiah Banda (International Consultant)

Introduction  Census (thematic) topics need to be effectively and properly communicated to users  The report has to address the relevant audience  Thus, report must provide sufficient explained information  The introduction of the report must be brief- leave details to the body of report

Statement of Purpose  There should be a clear statement of the need or problem including the objectives of the study (further analysis)  An indication of the ways in which the results are meant to be used is always useful  Literature relevant to the study should be reviewed to make readers aware of previous studies

Coverage & Nature of information Description of coverage and date and duration of the Census Eligibility Nature of information collected

Methodology The report should discuss the methods used in data collection Domains of study including subject and geographical coverage Analytical procedures may be indicating assumptions made and formulas used

Census results  Discussion of results constitutes a major portion of a good report  The results or findings tell what the census results suggest on a particular topic  Initially report the data on the topic of interest  Topics should be presented comprehensively & in a coherent manner

Census results cont’d Tabulated data should be presented in a form of standard tables, with proper headings, well labeled rows and columns Graphs and charts may be included to assist readers to easily comprehend some of the results Assessment of quality of data should be part of the report

Objectivity of the report  The report should present balanced and honest findings based on the census information  The researchers should always stick to statistical ethics anchored on honesty and objectivity( see UN Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics, 1994)  Judgment values should not be allowed to dictate out come results and the analysis of the census topic in question

Summary  It is always good to give a summary and interpretation of the main points raised in the report  Summaries should be brief and to the point  Some very technical report give an abstract

THANK YOU