Problems in classifying resources in educational statistics

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Hyland, W.J.

Abstract: The widespread acceptance of ISCED has made a significant improvement in the collection and analysis of resource data using standard international terminology, but it has not solved the problem. This paper suggests that an adequate solution to the problem does not require any modification of the components of ISCED; it requires a new approach to using ISCED and a revision of some of its guidelines. While pupils can be classified to a unique level of ISCED, resources in general cannot be so classified, nor can they be classified to any pre-determined pattern; they can be classified only to a range, i.e., a set formed from contiguous levels of ISCED (or other classification). The number of items on a classification by range is manageable. When this approach is taken possibilities for analysis and presentation of the data are open; in particular an allocation procedure can be used to attribute certain aspects of resource data (e.g. time, money) to unique ISCED levels, depending on the availability of suitable supplementary data. A key difference from current practices is that the allocation phase is separable from the reporting phase. It is regarded as a process requiring the professional judgement of the analyst.

DOI: 10.3233/SJU-1989-6203

Journal: Statistical Journal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 147-158, 1989