The Guide: Implementing the Standards for Statistics on Cultural and Language Diversity

Check list for assessment of data collections

1. Identify the systems, data collections and major surveys that use cultural and language data. As well as the variables listed in the ABS Standards this may include concepts/terms such as:
   
   
   • ethnicity;
   • migrant, child of migrants; and
   • overseas born.
   
   
2. For each system, data collection or survey, determine whether the ABS minimum core set of variables is collected. If not, which variable is missing:
   
   
   • country of birth of person;
   • main language other than English spoken at home;
   • proficiency in spoken English; or
   • Indigenous status.
   
   
3. For each system, data collection or survey, determine what other variables from the ABS standard set need to be collected, such as:
   
   
   • ancestry;
   • country of birth of father;
   • country of birth of mother;
   • first language spoken;
   • languages spoken at home;
   • main language spoken at home;
   • religious affiliation; and
   • year of arrival in Australia.
   
   
4. For each system, data collection or survey, review measurement tools and data processing procedures and identify necessary changes. This could involve changes to:
   
   
   • question wording and sequencing;
   • definitions;
   • the classification of responses; and
   • manual and computer coding systems used to capture and manipulate data.
   
   
5. Identify opportunities for changes to systems, collections and surveys (e.g. scheduled change cycles, computer upgrades, program evaluations, and implementation of other ABS data standards such as education or health).
   
   
6. Develop a timetable for implementation of the identified changes and a system for monitoring the implementation schedule.

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