1. ECONOMIC CLASSIFICATIONS Advanced course Day 1 – first morning session Basic principles of classifications
Zsófia Ercsey - KSH – Hungary
Marie-Madeleine Fuger - INSEE – France
Hans Van Hooff - CBS - Netherlands
THE CONTRACTOR IS ACTING UNDER A FRAMEWORK CONTRACT CONCLUDED WITH THE COMMISSION

2. Session 1 and 2: Plan Definition Characteristics Classification types
International system of statistical classifications
Historical background
Bodies involved in economic classifications

3. Definition of a classification
It is a way to organize a universe in an unambiguous (unequivoqual) and structured way
It is a reference tool for people dealing with the same domain
Coordination
Harmonization (same language)
But, also a certain vision of the universe

4. What is a classification ?
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
A classification is a tree-structure of successive partitions strictly linked

5. A tree structure
The universe
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4

6. Classification types
Flat classification vs hierarchical classification
One level vs several levels
Items defined in extension vs
items defined in comprehension
Central classification vs dedicated classification

7. Construction criteria
Definition of the scope
also ‘universe’ or ‘coverage’
Definition of grouping criteria
Principle of homogeneity
--► Lowest variance within the group and highest variance among groups
Relevance
Revision / update issues 7

8. Components of a classification
Code (choice of coding system)
Headings (or title)
Explanatory notes
Includes
Includes also
Item X
Excludes
Rules
Correspondence tables

9. Thank you!