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Census and administrative data sources

2: Outputs and access

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Census and administrative data

• Lecture overviewObjectives of lecture

Introductory questions

2001 Census

Data outputs

Neighbourhood Statistics Service

Access mechanisms

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Objectives• To introduce the the UK Censuses• To understand the different forms

of output• To recognise the difference

between the Census and Neighbourhood Statistics

• To be able to identify and obtain the appropriate census and neighbourhood data

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2001 Census basics

• Separate censuses in England and Wales; Scotland; Northern Ireland

• Differences in questions, data output and access arrangements

• 200 years of the census (1801-2001, ex. 1941, inc. 1966)

• Statutory data collection exercise• Most detailed source of small area

data

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What topics are covered?

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Introductory questions…

How do we obtain access to the census datasets?

What output products are produced from the census?

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2001 Census outputs• Multiple output products

– Aggregate statistics– Boundaries– Interaction data– Microdata– Lookup tables– Metadata

• NB national differences

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Aggregate statistics

• Key statistics; census area statistics; standard tables (Previously small area statistics;local base statistics)

• Data aggregated to geographical areas

• 2001 lowest level is Output Area• Nested hierarchical geography• Threshold populations• Tabular layout for areas

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1991 SAS table 5 layout

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Digital boundary data

• Created by census organizations for the purposes of the census

• Nests within statutory geography (statistical wards)

• Different methodologies in Scotland (very) and NI (slightly)

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2001 Output Areas England and Wales (n=175,434)

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2001 OA

1991 Ward

1991 ED

Code-Point

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Census interaction data

• Describes flows extracted from census returns– Journey to work– Migration from usual address one year ago

• To produce two datasets– Special Workplace Statistics– Special Migration Statistics

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Samples of anonymised records

• Literally, a sample of anonymised records from actual census forms

• Known as microdata (internationally, public use microdata samples PUMS)

• 1991 2% sample of individuals (~LADs) and 1% sample of households (regions)

• Unique tabulations and analyses

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ONS longitudinal study

• Since 1971, longitudinal microdataset• 4 DoBs, ~1% sample, ~500,000

persons• Confidentially linked records from

census, B&D and cancer registration• Unique resource for study of

socioeconomic lifecycle – esp. health• No direct researcher access to dataset

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Problems with Using the Census

1. Census data go out of date quickly

2. People missing from the Census3. Census data are subject to other

inaccuracies4. Problems with comparison 5. Census data are aggregated

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Census data access

• 2001 Census Access and Neighbourhood Statistics Service

• Pre-2001 data purchase• Academic access to all products

funded by ESRC/JISC Census Programmes

Census Access

Pre-2001 datasets2001 datasets

Census organizations Other data suppliers

ESRC/JISCOther Census Access partners Data support

units

Registration service

Academic census users

integrated dataset services

Users

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Academic access agreements

Census organizations

ESRCData registrar

Data redistributors

End users

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Neighbourhood Statistics Service

• Government departments contributing datasets derived from administrative records

• Aggregating initially to 1998 wards, soon to be super output areas (SOAs)

• Varying levels of SOA reflect sensitivity of different administrative datasets

• No facilities for bulk/research download

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Neighbourhood Statistics Service

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NeSS Interactive Mapping

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NeSS thematic mapping

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Log on by clicking icon

Using Casweb

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Click here to start

Select dataset of interest

Dataset selection

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Select country

Select country

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Define area of interest

Step through hierarchy, progress highlighted in geography selection diagram

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Select output geography

Complete selection of areas of interest, and then choose level of output geography

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Choose census table

Select the census table containing the data required

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Select variables from the table

Check boxes representing the cells for which data are required, variables are added to current selection list

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Options for data download

Specify output requirements – plain text or GIS format

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Download data file to own PC

Click to download specified data in requested format

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Load data into own software

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Assignment 5/Coursework 1

• Use Casweb to obtain additional Census data for your chosen neighbourhood: major changes from 1991?

• Neighbourhood description wrt literature

• Use data to provide neighbourhood profile

• Assessment of geography compatibility

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Lecture summary

• Census basics• Census output products• Census access arrangements• Neighbourhood Statistics Service

– Ease of access but limited download

• Academic access to census– Aggregate statistics from Casweb