What's New Archive
2006
Hard to Count? A one-day seminar exploring enumeration challenges in the UK censuses
Presentations from the Census study Group meeting held on the 4th December are now available on the RSS site.
2007 Census Test questionnaires published
The 2007 Census Test questionnaires were published on the 1 November. View the questionnaires and read supporting papers summarising the development work, the timetable for finalising questionnaires for the 2011 Census and ONS' view on possible Census content.
Geography and People: How academic theory has evolved into business benefit
This seminar, organised by the MRS Census & Geodemographics Group, took place in November and brought together the academic, research, and commercial communities to build closer understanding in key areas of geodemographics. It raised awareness of many of the latest developments, and gave insights from the different perspectives of the communities.
A report and presentations from the event are now available on the MRS website
National Statistician Welcomes Statistics and Registration Service Bill
This is the press release from Karen Dunnell, the National Statistician, welcoming the Statistics and Registration Service Bill which was announced in the Queens Speech on 15th November 2006.
Census News - latest issue published
The latest issue of Census News includes information on the questionnaires to be used in the 2007 Census Test in England and Wales, which have been published by ONS. In addition, ONS has also recently announced the names of the two companies shortlisted for the final phase of negotiations to find the supplier to help deliver the 2011 Census data capture and associated services.
UK Strategy for Geographical Information (GI) - contribute your views
The Geographic Information Panel was established in 2005 in order to provide high-level advice on GI issues. Know Edge Ltd are currently developing a GI Strategy for the UK and members of the GI community are invited to contribute. You can also read online the CGG's submission.
Consultation: improving statistical services in Scotland
You are invited to comment on the Scottish Executive’s proposals to improve statistical services in Scotland.
Hard to Count?: a one-day seminar exploring enumeration challenges in the UK Censuses
Organised by the Census Study Group of the Royal Statistical Society
4 December 2006; RSS, 12 Errol Street, London EC1Y 8LX
The strength of the population census rests in its near-complete coverage, yet experiences in the UK in 2001 and internationally in the 2000 round of censuses suggest that the challenge of achieving high enumeration rates is growing substantially. The difficulties of constructing adequate address lists, obtaining access to properties and gaining responses from residents can seriously challenge census quality and these factors display strong clustering at the neighbourhood scale. This seminar will examine current understandings of the enumeration challenge and explore the potential implications for users in 2011.
www.geog.soton.ac.uk/users/martindj/cenprog/RSS-CSG/htcseminar.htm
Seminar: Geography and People: How academic theory has evolved into business benefit
The detailed programme and speakers have been announced for this seminar, from the MRS Census & Geodemographics Group, which will take place on Monday 27 November at the SCI in London.
Understanding Population Trends and Processes: a secondary data analysis initiative: Call for proposals for UPTAP User Fellowships
This call for proposals is an extension to the ESRC's invitation for applications to an initiative on 'Understanding Population Trends and Processes' (UPTAP) in 2005, whose primary aim is to build capacity in secondary analysis and promote the use of the large-scale social science data sets, both qualitative and quantitative. The call is open to academic and non-academic researchers.
Read more (PDF 44KB)
SUF Annual Conference: New Statistics from Administrative and Customer Files
Thursday 16 November; The Royal Society, Carlton House Terrace, London SW1
SARs User Meeting
SARs User Meeting Thursday 16 November 2006 at the Royal Statistical Society, Errol Street, London.
This meeting will include presentations on how the various 2001 SARs/CAMs/SAM files are being used. It will also include an opportunity to discuss the needs for microdata files from the 2011 Census and to hear from the Census Offices about their plans for microdata.
GeoLytics
GeoLytics provide demographic data, business information, GIS and mapping company for USA. They produce and sell demographic data and estimates, census data products, business data, GIS data, and create custom data reports and projects. They also provide free census data and thematic maps that can be accessed via the website.
Statoids: administrative divisions of countries
Provides population estimates for primary and often secondary administrative divisions within (very nearly) all countries, sometimes with historical figures.
2001 Census Debriefing Seminar
A report relating to the 2001 Census Debriefing Seminar held at City Hall, London, in April 2006 is available to download.
Internet World Statistics
This site includes Internet usage and population statistics for over 233 countries and regions.
Understanding Population Trends and Processes (UPTAP)
UPTAP is an ESRC-funded initiative designed to: build capacity in secondary data analysis; promote the use of large-scale social science data sets; and improve our understanding of demographic trends and processes which affect society and the population. It funds projects by young or mid-career researchers working in academic and non-academic organisations around the country. A call for proposals will be issued shortly, with an application deadline at the end of October.
ONS Census News
Planning is well advanced for the first major field test for the next Census, to take place in May 2007.
iShareMaps
iShareMaps are mapping products from Astun Technology. UK Geocoding integrated into your website or on the desktop, and location-based web server for local government.
Consultation on Independence of Statistics
HM Treasury has published a consultation document on the Independence of Statistics. The closing date for responses has now passed.
www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/budget/budget_06/other_documents/bud_bud06_odstatistics.cfm
InSite
InSite, from CACI, is a market analysis tool that brings together database, mapping and reporting functionality. It enables users to uncover intelligence in marketing data, from finding trends and opportunities in customer information to understanding locations in terms of people and demographics.
Postcode Anywhere
Postcode Anywhere is a web based address management software which provides access to UK and international addresses, bank data, maps, lifestyle and geographic information.
ONS Consultation on 2011 Census - response
In 2005 the ONS conducted a programme of user consultation for the 2011 Census, which focused on identifying topics to be considered for inclusion in the Census. The response to this consultation has been published; it also includes an updated ONS view on the likely content of the 2011 Census.
www.statistics.gov.uk/about/consultations/2011Census_response.asp
Data for Neighbourhood Renewal
The OCSI 'Data Provision for Neighbourhood Renewal' report and website has been launched by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's Neighbourhood Renewal Unit as part of its work to support evidence based policy making at local level. The project offers signposts to key sources of data available for targeting, monitoring, priority setting and performance management.
Social grade data and the 2001 Census
The MRS Census & Geodemographics Group developed an algorithm for deriving approximate social grade codes (the 'ABC1' system) from the 2001 Census. In order to help users to use the results across the 16-64 age range MRS commissioned a customised set of Census tables from ONS. A description of these tables, a spreadsheet which provides the table outlines and details of how to obtain these tables free of charge is available on the MRS website.
The Clockworks
The Clockworks is a data marketing consultancy which aims to help clients understand their customers and markets more effectively. At the heart of the business is a series of unique marketing data models including the SONAR geodemographic classification system and SONARMAP, geographic information system software.
Spatial-Literacy.org
Spatial-literacy.org is a gateway to the Spatial Literacy in Teaching (Splint) Centre of Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL), which is a joint initiative of the University of Leicester, University College London and the University of Nottingham. It provides resources and information on a variety of teaching, research and outreach activities, and acts as a portal to guide best practice across a range of public sector geographic information system (GIS) activities.
The site also includes the Surname Profiler site, which details the distribution of surnames in Great Britain, both current and historic, in order to understand patterns of population movement, social mobility, regional economic development and cultural identity.
United Nations Statistics Division
The Statistics Division compiles statistics from many international sources and produces global updates, including the Statistical Yearbook, World Statistics Pocketbook and yearbooks in specialised fields of statistics.
ONS: Integrated Household Survey
The ONS is proposing to integrate its five major household surveys into one survey, the Integrated Household Survey (formerly the Continuous Population Survey, CPS). The surveys included are the Labour Force Survey, the Annual Population Survey, the General Household Survey, the Expenditure and Food Survey, and the National Statistics Omnibus Survey. CGG, on behalf of MRS, responded to the consultation paper.
www.statistics.gov.uk/CCI/nugget.asp?ID=936&Pos=&ColRank=1&Rank=208
Classifying and Targeting Businesses
This seminar, organised by the MRS Census & Geodemographics Group, took place in October and examined the world of business classification and targeting used in 'business to business' marketing. The presentations from the event are now available on the MRS website.
The National Classification of Census Output Areas
The National Classification of Census Output Areas is a three tier hierarchy which was created from Census variables, and classifies every output area in the UK based on its value for those variables. This site is designed to give users access to the classification, and information about its creation and additional information to aid use.
Census 2001 - Office for National Statistics
Gateway page to ONS information on 2001.
ONS - Census
2001 Census based classification of Output Areas has been announced - read the latest ONS Census News for more information.
ONS Survey Charter
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has published a Survey Charter which sets out their commitments to the people and organisations who take part in their surveys and use their survey statistics. Further information and a copy of the Charter can be found on the ONS website.
Database Marketing Magazine
Database Marketing magazine carries regular updates on the UK geodemographics market and other market analysis topics. The June 2005 issue carries the latest geodemographics market update. You can take out a free 6 month trial subscription to the magazine via the website.
Harmonisation in market research
Harmonisation is concerned with the use of standard definitions, concepts, questions and outputs. The MRS Census & Geodemographics Group has compiled a short guide on harmonisation, which gives information on standards available.
A Guide to the 2001 Census
Essential Information for Gaining Business Advantage
This book, produced by the Market Research Society and the Office for National Statistics, provides a wealth of valuable information for users of the 2001 Census. The editors are Keith Dugmore (Demographic Decisions Ltd) and Corrine Moy (NOP World) and there are contributions from a wide range of industry experts. The book will be essential reading for anyone thinking of applying Census data in the commercial or public sectors.