scholarly journals Linked Administrative Data at Statistics Canada – new data resources for horizontal research

Author(s):  
Li Xue

There has been an increasing demand for analytics and research related to cross-cutting and horizontal issues in Canada, such as in the domains of housing, aging and immigration. Very often policy makers and stakeholders are posing a full spectrum of questions around a specific topic, requiring multidisciplinary evidence and data. Statistics Canada has a long history of record linkage. Over the past decade, the number of record linkage projects has increased exponentially. Several established platforms have been developed to facilitate linkage – Canadian Employer and Employer Database which brings together tax and employment records from both employees and employers; the Social Data Linkage Environment created to support linkages at the individuals level across a broad spectrum of social data (health, justice, education, socio-economic); and the Linkable File Environment for business data. The breadth of our data holdings married with record linkage capabilities allows the creation of data sets that crosses disciplines and areas or research. This presentation will showcase the innovative data integration approaches that Statistics Canada has advanced to meet the inter-disciplinary data needs. Statistics Canada are pioneering in some innovative linkages across various domains to help answer cross-cutting questions. For example, Longitudinal Administrative Databank linking longitudinal tax records to numerous other data files including tax records of spouses and children in the household, longitudinal Immigration Database linkage key and health records, is used to study economic impact of hospitalization, as well as better understand health outcomes of immigrants by various dimensions including socio-economic status. Other examples include the pilot projects linking Canadian Financial Capability Survey to tax records, to gauge the relationship between financial literacy and annual retirement savings behavior and Intergenerational Income Database being linked to Census to understand socio-economic factors affecting the intergenerational mobility. Rapid growth in data availability for research also poses new challenges on IM/IT, governance, access, capacity building, etc. As Statistics Canada has moved on a path of modernization, data integration is key to the development of new data sources to fill information gaps as we move forward.

Author(s):  
Colin Babyak ◽  
Abdelnasser Saidi

ABSTRACTObjectivesThe objectives of this talk are to introduce Statistics Canada’s Social Data Linkage Environment (SDLE) and to explain the methodology behind the creation of the central depository and how both deterministic and probabilistic record linkage techniques are used to maintain and expand the environment.ApproachWe will start with a brief overview of the SDLE and then continue with a discussion of how both deterministic linkages and probabilistic linkages (using Statistic Canada’s generalized record linkage software, G-Link) have been combined to create and maintain a very large central depository, which can in turn be linked to virtually any social data source for the ultimate end goal of analysis.ResultsAlthough Canada has a population of about 36 million people, the central depository contains some 300 million records to represent them, due to multiple addresses, names, etc. Although this allows for a significant reduction in missing links, it raises the spectre of additional false positive matches and has added computational complexity which we have had to overcome.ConclusionThe combination of deterministic and probabilistic record linkage strategies has been effective in creating the central depository for the SDLE. As more and more data are linked to the environment and we continue to refine our methodology, we can now move on to the ultimate goal of the SDLE, which is to analyze this vast wealth of linked data.


Water ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1278
Author(s):  
Rembrandt H. E. M. Koppelaar ◽  
May N. Sule ◽  
Zoltán Kis ◽  
Foster K. Mensah ◽  
Xiaonan Wang ◽  
...  

Improvements in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) service provision are hampered by limited open data availability. This paper presents a data integration framework, collects the data and develops a material flow model, which aids data-based policy and infrastructure development for the WASH sector. This model provides a robust quantitative mapping of the complete anthropogenic WASH flow-cycle: from raw water intake to water use, wastewater and excreta generation, discharge and treatment. This approach integrates various available sources using a process-chain bottom-up engineering approach to improve the quality of WASH planning. The data integration framework and the modelling methodology are applied to the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA), Ghana. The highest level of understanding of the GAMA WASH sector is achieved, promoting scenario testing for future WASH developments. The results show 96% of the population had access to improved safe water in 2010 if sachet and bottled water was included, but only 67% if excluded. Additionally, 66% of 338,000 m3 per day of generated wastewater is unsafely disposed locally, with 23% entering open drains, and 11% sewage pipes, indicating poor sanitation coverage. Total treated wastewater is <0.5% in 2014, with only 18% of 43,000 m3 per day treatment capacity operational. The combined data sets are made available to support research and sustainable development activities.


2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fang Zhao ◽  
Alan Collier ◽  
Hepu Deng

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of the digital divide on e-government development. Design/methodology/approach – The study takes a multidimensional and integrative approach in order to examine the various ways in which different contextual factors affecting the digital divide (i.e. economic, social, political, demographic, cultural and ICT infrastructure) interact to influence e-government development. To test the hypotheses, authors perform a correlation and multiple regression analysis using SPSS. Findings – After analysing several global data sets such as those of the World Bank and the United Nations, the study finds that the digital divide is a multidimensional construct that has a significant impact on e-government development in various ways. In contrast to the consensus view of a correlation existing between economic status on the one hand, and the digital divide and e-government development on the other, this study finds that economic status is not a significant predictor of the digital divide or e-government development. Practical implications – The findings should help inform public policy makers when developing strategies to deal with issues of the digital divide and e-government development by encouraging analysis in a holistic and integrative way. Simply addressing the digital divide alone is unlikely to be sufficient to stimulate an increase in the uptake of e-government. Moreover, our model helps identify areas of strengths as well as weaknesses for improvement. Originality/value – The authors develop a multidimensional and integrative research model to study the digital divide and e-government development and the relationship between the two, and validate the model through systematically testing it with empirical data. This study is among the first to take such an approach.


Author(s):  
Richard Trudeau

ABSTRACTObjectivesThe Social Data Linkage Environment (SDLE) at Statistics Canada promotes the innovative use of existing administrative and survey data to address important research questions and inform socio-economic policy through record linkage. It expands the potential of data integration across multiple domains, such as health, justice, education and income, through the creation of linked analytical data files without the need to collect additional data from Canadians.ApproachAt the core of the SDLE is a Derived Record Depository (DRD), essentially a national dynamic relational data base containing only basic personal identifiers. The DRD is created by linking selected Statistics Canada source index files for the purpose of producing a list of unique individuals. These files are brought into the environment, processed and linked only once to the DRD. Each individual in the DRD is assigned an SDLE identifier. Some of the source index files used to build the DRD include tax records, vital statistics registration records (births and deaths), and immigrant data. Updates to these data files are linked to the DRD on an ongoing basis. Only basic personal identifiers are stored in the DRD. Examples of personal identifiers stored in the DRD include surnames, given names, date of birth, sex, insurance numbers, parents' names, marital status, addresses (including postal codes), telephone numbers, immigration date, emigration date and date of death. The paired SDLE identifiers and source index file record IDs resulting from the record linkage are stored in a Key Registry. To reduce the risk of privacy intrusiveness and to minimize the risk of disclosure, source files are separated into source index files and source data files. Employees performing the record linkages in SDLE have access to only the basic personal identifiers needed for linkage. Employees who build the analytical files for research have access only to the data stripped of personal identifiers.ResultsThe SDLE is a highly secure environment that facilitates the creation of linked population data files for social analysis. It is not a large integrated data base.ConclusionThe SDLE program facilitates pan-Canadian social and economic statistical research. It is a record linkage environment that: increases the relevance of existing surveys without collecting new data; substantially increases the use of administrative data; generates new information without additional data collection; maintains the highest privacy and data security standards; and promotes a standardized approach to record linkage processes and methods.


1979 ◽  
Vol 18 (02) ◽  
pp. 89-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martha E. Smith ◽  
H. B. Newcombe

Empirical tests of the application of computer record linkage methods versus the use of routine clerical searching, for bringing together various vital and ill-health records, have shown that the success rate for the computer operation was higher (98.3 versus 96.7 per cent) and the proportion of false linkages very much lower (0.1 versus 2.3 per cent). The rate at which the ill-health records were processed by the computer was approximately 14,000 per minute of central processor time, representing a cost of a half a cent apiece.Factors affecting the speed, accuracy and cost of computerized record linkage are discussed.


Author(s):  
Tue Nguyen Dang

This research examines the factors affecting the financial literacy of Vietnamese adults. Using a sample of 266 observations of adults in 2 big cities in Vietnam (Hanoi and Vinh in Nghe An Province), the author evaluates the literacy level of adults in these urban areas. The financial literacy of the interviewed people is low. The multiple regression results show that lower financial literacy levels associate with higher age and married status and higher financial literacy levels associate with higher education, more family members, the person making financial decisions and the person attending a useful financial course. This research also explores the association between financial literacy and financial behaviors of individuals employing logistic models. It is found that higher financial literacy associates with less probability of overspending and higher probability of saving money and careful spending. Higher financial literacy is also found to associate with higher probability of opening a savings account and making various investments. 


Author(s):  
Pinar Döner ◽  
Kadriye Şahin

Abstract Purpose: Reproductive health includes the capability to reproduce and the freedom to decide. In this context, both women and men have rights. In this study, it is aimed to reveal the obstacles in using these rights and to describe perceptions on marriage and family planning (FP) of Syrian women and men and to increase awareness for developing new policies on the Primary Health Care. Methods: The study was conducted using qualitative method, consisting of in-depth interviews with 54 participants; 43 women and 11 men who had to emigrate from varied regions of Syria at different times since 2011. Syrian women living in Hatay, in the south of Turkey were identified from Primary Health Care Center. Most of the Syrian women had given birth to the first two children before the age of 20 years. The interviewees were selected by purposive and snowball sampling. Results: The result was examined under seven headings: knowledge about FP and contraceptive methods, hesitation about contraceptive methods, emotional pressure of family and fear of maintaining marriage, embarrassing of talking about sexuality and contraception, the effects of belief and culture on contraception, psychological reflections of war, and changes in the perception of health during the process of immigration. The most significant factors affecting the approaches to FP and contraceptive methods of the women in this study were determined to be education, traditions, economic status, and religious beliefs. The most important factors affecting participants’ FP and contraceptive method approaches are education, cultural beliefs, economic status, and religious beliefs. Conclusions: The primary healthcare centers are at a very strategical point for offering FP services to help address patients’ unmet contraceptive needs and improve pregnancy outcomes. More attention should be paid to social determinants that influence the access to reproductive health. Moreover, efforts can be done to address gender inequality that intercept FP. The most important strategy for primary health systems to follow the gender barriers that hinder access to FP services and men are empowered to share responsibility for FP.


2021 ◽  
pp. 193229682110075
Author(s):  
Rebecca A. Harvey Towers ◽  
Xiaohe Zhang ◽  
Rasoul Yousefi ◽  
Ghazaleh Esmaili ◽  
Liang Wang ◽  
...  

The algorithm for the Dexcom G6 CGM System was enhanced to retain accuracy while reducing the frequency and duration of sensor error. The new algorithm was evaluated by post-processing raw signals collected from G6 pivotal trials (NCT02880267) and by assessing the difference in data availability after a limited, real-world launch. Accuracy was comparable with the new algorithm—the overall %20/20 was 91.7% before and 91.8% after the algorithm modification; MARD was unchanged. The mean data gap due to sensor error nearly halved and total time spent in sensor error decreased by 59%. A limited field launch showed similar results, with a 43% decrease in total time spent in sensor error. Increased data availability may improve patient experience and CGM data integration into insulin delivery systems.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maruša Levstek ◽  
Daniel Elliott ◽  
Robin Banerjee

This paper investigates the relationship between music qualification choice and academic performance in secondary education in England at Key Stage 4 (KS4; usually at age 15 and 16). We analysed data from 2257 pupils at 18 educational settings in a city in the southeast of England. Two regression analyses with clustered errors modelled KS4 music qualification choice and GCSE academic achievement in English, Mathematics, and other English Baccalaureate subjects, while controlling for a range of demographic, academic, and socio-economic variables. Choice of music as a subject at KS4 was positively associated with the total volume of KS4 qualifications entered for examination and was also predicted by coming from an affluent neighbourhood. Furthermore, this choice of music at KS4 was associated with greater academic performance on English Baccalaureate subjects above and beyond other significant predictors (gender, language, prior academic achievement, total volume of KS4 qualifications, and neighbourhood socio-economic status; local Cohen’s f-squared = .09). These results point to a small but significant additive effect of studying music at KS4 in relation to performance on core GCSE subjects. We also found that schools with KS4 music qualification choice greater than the national average were higher in overall academic attainment, in the proportion of pupils attending extra-curricular instrumental lessons, and in our composite measure of school’s engagement with a local music education hub. The results are interpreted in light of sociological theories of education in an attempt to better understand the underlying systemic factors affecting youth music engagement.


1976 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. 413-417
Author(s):  
R H Michaels ◽  
C S Poziviak ◽  
F E Stonebraker ◽  
C W Norden

Over 1,300 children were studied in an analysis of factors that might affect pharyngeal colonization with Haemophilus influenzae type b. Our semiquantitative methods for the culture of H. influenzae type b, consisting of inoculation of 0.001 ml of throat swab fluid on antiserum agar plates and division of the results into three grades of intensity, showed agreement as to intensity of colonization in over 80% of repeat throat cultures. Our data also suggest that throat swabs are more efficient than nasopharyngeal swabs for detecting colonization, particularly for older children. All 17 H. influenzae type b carriers found with either method were detected with throat swabs, but six had negative nasopharyngeal cultures; four of these six were lightly colonized older children. Furthermore, colony counts were apt to be higher on plates inoculated with throat swab fluids. The frequency of pharyngeal H. influenzae type b colonization in children visiting health department clinics and pediatricians' offices was low during the first 6 months of life (0.7%) but averaged 3 to 5% throughout the rest of childhood. Approximately two-thirds of the carriers were colonized at an intensity too low to be detected by standard laboratory techniques. No influence on colonization rates was found for sex, race, season, economic status, or common childhood infectious diseases such as coryza or otitis media.


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