Methodology
Information on the methods used in the production of Executive statistics can be found under the individual statistics themes to which they relate. The Office for National Statistics carries out methodology work which cuts across many statistical themes. This information relates primarily to statistics for England and Wales, but much is applicable to Scottish statistics
Classifications
A classification assigns items into categories according to shared characterisitics and it provides a framework for the description and comparison of statistics.
The Executive uses many statistical classifications to classify businesses and people.
The main classifications are:
Industry
Occupational and socio-economic
Geography
Geography is a key component of all statistics and provides a framework for their collection, storage, analysis and release.
The Scottish Executive produces statistics for a wide range of geographies from Scotland and its local authorities down to much smaller areas.
During 2004, there have been a number of significant developments:
Scottish Neighbourhood Statistics: This database and interactive mapping provides information on Scotland's local areas (data zones). It provides information on health, education, poverty, unemployment, housing, population, and social / community issues.
Scottish Neighbourhood Statistics Data Zones Background Information: This report sets out background information on the development and use of the data zones. The data zone boundaries and look-up tables are available on request.
Maintaining Scottish Neighbourhood Statistics Geographies: This sets out the Scottish Executive policy for maintaining data zones.
Scottish Neighbourhood Statistics Intermediate Geography Background Information: This report sets out background information on the development and use of the intermediate geography which supplements the data zone geography. The intermediate geography boundaries and look-up tables are also available on request. ( Late changes to Intermediate Geography zone names)
Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation 2004: Summary Technical Report: Provides users with a clear overview of the methodology used to develop the Scottish Index. An Interactive Map and associated Background Data supplement the summary technical report.
Scottish Executive Urban Rural Classification 2003-2004: This report sets out background information on the development and use of the Executives urban rural classification. Boundaries and look-up tables are available on request.
The Scottish Executive and General Register Office for Scotland (GROS) work in partnership on geography matters. An introduction to the geography classifications used in the Census can be found at the GROS Census Internet pages. General Register Office for Scotland also produce the Postcode Index which allows information referenced at the postcode level to be validated and also aggregated to a range of other geographies.
An introduction to UK and Scottish geography, describing the key features and relationships between various administrative, electoral and operational geographies can be found at National Statistics Geography.
Standard Area Measurements
Standard area measurements for a range of geographies (including data zones) are available on the Scottish Neighbourhood Statistics internet site ( www.sns.gov.uk).
The ONS also produces information on UK standard area measurements and methods, and this can be accessed at www.statistics.gov.uk/geography/sam.asp