Computer aspects of the use of registers in statistical offices

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Jeays, T.M.¹

Note: [1] T.M. Jeays was born in England in 1941, and was educated at Dr. Challoner's Grammar School, Amersham, and Alcester Grammar School, in Warwickshire. He studied mathematics at St. Peter's College, Oxford until 1963. He was then employed by English Electric Ltd., and worked on the safety analysis of nuclear power stations. He emigrated to Canada in 1968, and joined Statistics Canada in 1970. During the period 1970 to 1980 he worked on the Canadian Business Register. He was then appointed Assistant Director, Systems Development Division, with responsibility for statistical and data base management software.

Abstract: Registers of business entities are maintained by many national statistical offices, and are used as survey frames for economic censuses and sample surveys. They can be created and maintained from administrative data sources such as taxation files. Classification data is normally added by the statistical office, and it should be correct and timely, and applied in a consistent manner throughout the register. Although businesses must often be represented by complex reporting structures, hierarchical numbering systems are not recommended. Record linkage techniques are important in merging administrative lists with the register, and in detecting duplicates within it. Computer systems designed to maintain a register will usually employ modern data base techniques, and may make use of dedicated equipment. Data dictionary techniques are needed to make the register maintenance system sufficiently flexible to adapt to new demands.

DOI: 10.3233/SJU-1983-1405

Journal: Statistical Journal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, vol. 1, no. 4, pp. 463-475, 1983