Census 2001:Output Classifications 

1.                 Introduction

1.1          Classifications are used to summarise the diverse range of responses to questions in the Census. This enables efficient statistical processing of data, and facilitates meaningful statistical analysis. Classifications are used in output in a number of ways. Categories within classifications can be combined to reduce the level of detail provided; information can be provided on specific categories of interest; and information from separate classifications can be combined to create new derived variables which provide a different perspective, or view, of the data.

1.2          This document describes the output classifications for questions in the 2001 Census, listing all possible categories within each classification. Derived variables that will be commonly used have also been described. These classifications and the definition for the derived variables are the result of two years of consultation with users and within the three Census organisations. In addition to these ‘standard’ derived variables, customers can specify new derived variables on an ad-hoc basis. There is now no further scope for consultation on the classifications.

1.3          This document also provides reference material essential for customers when considering customised output requirements, and the proposals for standard output. It will form part of the statistical meta-data and be available electronically. Note that the Standard Tables often cannot incorporate full classifications, as they are too detailed and may be disclosive. As far as possible, harmonised aggregated classifications and standard derived variables have been used, although other requirements, such as 1991 Census comparability, have also been considered when designing the content of the standard area statistics.  

Content of this document  

1.4          To provide customers with a better understanding of the statistical content of the 2001 Census, information is provided in this document on Differences between parts of the UK in Section 2 and Comparability with the 1991 Census in Section 3. An alphabetical list of Concepts and Definitions is provided in Section 4.

1.5          Section 5 provides the Data Classifications, with illustrations of the relevant Census questions, for people and their accommodation.

1.6          Whilst customers can specify their own derived variables on an ad-hoc basis, derived variables which are commonly used in the standard output will be created and stored on the output database. Standard Derived Variables are described in Section 6.  

Mnemonics  

1.7          The proposed classifications should be used when describing new tables. For convenience, each classification has been given a mnemonic, for example, AGEPUK. These mnemonics are a shorthand method of describing Census classifications when specifying output requirements.  

1.8          Whilst the first few characters of the mnemonic are linked to the classification name, the last few characters of the mnemonic indicate whether the classification is describing characteristics of a person (P), family (FAM), household/ household space (H) or communal establishment (C) and whether a classification is applicable to the whole of the United Kingdom (UK), England and Wales (EW), Wales (W), Scotland (S) or Northern Ireland (NI), or a combination (for example, EWS means England, Wales and Scotland). For example, AGEPUK relates to the age breakdown for persons in the UK.