Question
The following is a question from a PhD student:
Would you please advise me about whether statistics on the amount of seed that is saved ("Saved seeds" being those collected by farmers from the previous years' crops for use in future years) by Canadian farmers is available and if so, how I might obtain it. Preferably, there would be statistics collected in various years so a comparison could be made; however, I would also be interested in the latest collected data on this topic.
As a worst case alternative, if there is data on the amount of certified seed used, the acreage seeded, and the recommended rates of seeding I suppose I could calculate the amount of non-certified seed used in various years. However, since this would not necessarily indicate the amount of seed saved, obviously real statistics on saved seed would be most helpful.
Answer
The Census of Agriculture does not collect the information, and I asked the Agriculture Division for their input. It follows:
We calculate the total amount of seed used by multiplying the seeded area by average seeding rates. The seed data are published in supply-disposition tables for the major grains and special crops. These tables are available in catalogue 22-007 Cereals and oilseeds review for free on the Statistics Canada website under Publications and are also on CANSIM, tables 41 and 42 for a small fee (*but available free of charge through E-Stat or CHASS if you subscribe*).
The calculated seed data are likely also available from the Crop Reporting Unit of the Agriculture Division as a special tabulation for a fee.
Monday, February 19, 2007
Friday, February 16, 2007
Monthly Variable for GSS 19
Question
I have a student trying to look at seasonable variations in how people use their time.
The General Social Survey 19 on time use was done between January and November and could be used to look at seasonal variations, if there was a variable to identify the month in which each survey was completed. We found a day of the week variable, but no month or other date variable.
Has anyone else faced this problem?
If they had access to the whole GSS file through the Research Data Centre, would they be able to access the month variable?
Answer
We don't have that variable in the PUMF anymore because of the confidentiality. The month variable is only with the analytical file. If he can get access to the RDC, he can access these files. He can also ask for a custom tabulation but their would be a cost.
The GSS 12, 1998, also on time use, does include a month of interview variable, but it is almost 10 years old.
I have a student trying to look at seasonable variations in how people use their time.
The General Social Survey 19 on time use was done between January and November and could be used to look at seasonal variations, if there was a variable to identify the month in which each survey was completed. We found a day of the week variable, but no month or other date variable.
Has anyone else faced this problem?
If they had access to the whole GSS file through the Research Data Centre, would they be able to access the month variable?
Answer
We don't have that variable in the PUMF anymore because of the confidentiality. The month variable is only with the analytical file. If he can get access to the RDC, he can access these files. He can also ask for a custom tabulation but their would be a cost.
The GSS 12, 1998, also on time use, does include a month of interview variable, but it is almost 10 years old.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
2006 Boundary Files
The 2006 Boundary Files, available in electronic format, contain the boundaries for four geographic areas - dissemination blocks, dissemination areas, census tracts and federal electoral districts. They provide a framework for mapping and spatial analysis.
The files are available in two formats: ArcInfo and MapInfo.
/dli/geography/2006/spatial_info_products(mapinfo-arcinfo-guides)produits_d'info_spatiale/arcinfo
/dli/geography/2006/spatial_info_products(mapinfo-arcinfo-guides)produits_d'info_spatiale/mapinfo
Clients can use the Correspondence Files to determine how two specific geographic areas (dissemination areas and dissemination blocks) correspond to each other for the 2001 and 2006 Censuses.
/dli/geography/2006/correspondence_files_fichiers_de_correspondance(da-sd_db-sd)
The files are available in two formats: ArcInfo and MapInfo.
/dli/geography/2006/spatial_info_products(mapinfo-arcinfo-guides)produits_d'info_spatiale/arcinfo
/dli/geography/2006/spatial_info_products(mapinfo-arcinfo-guides)produits_d'info_spatiale/mapinfo
Clients can use the Correspondence Files to determine how two specific geographic areas (dissemination areas and dissemination blocks) correspond to each other for the 2001 and 2006 Censuses.
/dli/geography/2006/correspondence_files_fichiers_de_correspondance(da-sd_db-sd)
Data Acquisition and Use Agreement
Questions
a) I am wondering if there is still a necessity to have this document signed by users of DLI material given we do have a secure site? I see that some locations have mounted the agreement as a condition of use.
b) If we are required to have faculty sign the agreement, does the one signature suffice for all DLI material requested for that individual, or is it to be signed each time a request for data is made?
Answers
a) Users are not actually required to sign the DLI licence to use DLI data. From what I understand, this is the scoop:
1) Some DLI member-institutions request that users sign the Model Use Licence to ensure that the users are familiar with the terms of use. The fact that they are signing a licence may make the users feel more responsible for following the conditions outlined in the licence. Should anything happen (such as inadmissible use of the data), the data centre is protected against the "I didn't know" excuse!
2) Some DLI member institutions also use the filled licences as a gauge of activity. By requesting a signed licence from all users, they have have a quick count of activity in their data centres.
3) Some institutions provide data through protected web access and the terms of use of the data are clearly available for users. I think some even have the terms of use pop up before users download the data and they have to agree to proceed. Others, on the other hand, have a brief blurb about the terms of use and a link to the full terms. Some simply have a link with the terms of use.
As you can see, there is a wide variety of methods used by DLI contacts to monitor the use of the data. We find that the smaller institutions can manage having every user sign a licence, whereas the larger institutions provide information about the terms of use for the data, but do not request a formal signature.
b) I think this will have to be decided at the institutional level. The DLI does not require signed licences and so we can not stipulate whether you need one for each data product or one per request.
I believe this is something that should be discussed with your people. The thing that matters to the DLI is that the data are used in accordance with our licence. How you see that this is enforced is at your discretion.
a) I am wondering if there is still a necessity to have this document signed by users of DLI material given we do have a secure site? I see that some locations have mounted the agreement as a condition of use.
b) If we are required to have faculty sign the agreement, does the one signature suffice for all DLI material requested for that individual, or is it to be signed each time a request for data is made?
Answers
a) Users are not actually required to sign the DLI licence to use DLI data. From what I understand, this is the scoop:
1) Some DLI member-institutions request that users sign the Model Use Licence to ensure that the users are familiar with the terms of use. The fact that they are signing a licence may make the users feel more responsible for following the conditions outlined in the licence. Should anything happen (such as inadmissible use of the data), the data centre is protected against the "I didn't know" excuse!
2) Some DLI member institutions also use the filled licences as a gauge of activity. By requesting a signed licence from all users, they have have a quick count of activity in their data centres.
3) Some institutions provide data through protected web access and the terms of use of the data are clearly available for users. I think some even have the terms of use pop up before users download the data and they have to agree to proceed. Others, on the other hand, have a brief blurb about the terms of use and a link to the full terms. Some simply have a link with the terms of use.
As you can see, there is a wide variety of methods used by DLI contacts to monitor the use of the data. We find that the smaller institutions can manage having every user sign a licence, whereas the larger institutions provide information about the terms of use for the data, but do not request a formal signature.
b) I think this will have to be decided at the institutional level. The DLI does not require signed licences and so we can not stipulate whether you need one for each data product or one per request.
I believe this is something that should be discussed with your people. The thing that matters to the DLI is that the data are used in accordance with our licence. How you see that this is enforced is at your discretion.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Updated Products - TAMS 2006
Travel Activities and Motivation Survey - 2006
The Travel Activities and Motivation Survey (TAMS) was conducted by Statistics Canada on behalf of the Canadian Tourism Commission and four provincial and territorial agencies responsible for tourism. The types of information collected are: areas of Canada travelled to in the previous two years and travel intentions for the next two years; reasons non-travellers do not travel; participation in recreational and entertainment activities; reasons for travelling in Canada and to Canadian provinces and territories; types of accommodation used while travelling; sources of travel planning information; and impressions of parts of Canada as travel destinations.
FTP: /ftp/dli/tams/2006
WEB: http://www.statcan.ca/english/Dli/Data/Ftp/tams/tams2006.htm
The Travel Activities and Motivation Survey (TAMS) was conducted by Statistics Canada on behalf of the Canadian Tourism Commission and four provincial and territorial agencies responsible for tourism. The types of information collected are: areas of Canada travelled to in the previous two years and travel intentions for the next two years; reasons non-travellers do not travel; participation in recreational and entertainment activities; reasons for travelling in Canada and to Canadian provinces and territories; types of accommodation used while travelling; sources of travel planning information; and impressions of parts of Canada as travel destinations.
FTP: /ftp/dli/tams/2006
WEB: http://www.statcan.ca/english/Dli/Data/Ftp/tams/tams2006.htm
Additional Missing Variables in CCHS 3.1
Question
I found a couple of other variables that were not in the CCHS 3.1 pumf even though the documentation listed them as being there. They are NDEEDFTT and LBFEGJST. Do you know if the Health division will be putting out updated documentation? Or at least an Errata?
Answer
For NDEEDFTT (and all other NDE... variables), same problem as SCHEDSTG, only selected in one HR (this time Nunavut), and therefore suppressed from the PUMF.
For the LBF... variables (complete "labour force" module), the story is slightly more complicated. This module was offered as optional (but not selected), and it was also asked of the 1st sub-sample of respondents. The LBF... variables are included in the separate PUMF sub-sample 1 data file hss1.txt. The twist here is that our naming convention for sub-sample variables replaces the 4th character of the variable name (which normally refers to the cycle) by a "z". Thus, in this case NDE"e"DFTT, is now NDE"z"DFTT. In the hss1.txt file (and corresponding data dictionary reports, layouts, etc.) LBF"e"... variables are in actuality LBF"z"... variables. Users should consult Appendix A (Guidelines for the use of sub-sample variables) in the User Guide.
I found a couple of other variables that were not in the CCHS 3.1 pumf even though the documentation listed them as being there. They are NDEEDFTT and LBFEGJST. Do you know if the Health division will be putting out updated documentation? Or at least an Errata?
Answer
For NDEEDFTT (and all other NDE... variables), same problem as SCHEDSTG, only selected in one HR (this time Nunavut), and therefore suppressed from the PUMF.
For the LBF... variables (complete "labour force" module), the story is slightly more complicated. This module was offered as optional (but not selected), and it was also asked of the 1st sub-sample of respondents. The LBF... variables are included in the separate PUMF sub-sample 1 data file hss1.txt. The twist here is that our naming convention for sub-sample variables replaces the 4th character of the variable name (which normally refers to the cycle) by a "z". Thus, in this case NDE"e"DFTT, is now NDE"z"DFTT. In the hss1.txt file (and corresponding data dictionary reports, layouts, etc.) LBF"e"... variables are in actuality LBF"z"... variables. Users should consult Appendix A (Guidelines for the use of sub-sample variables) in the User Guide.
Trade by Mode of Transport
Question
A grad student here is attempting to look at international trade. He is interested in looking specifically at trade by mode of transportation - what is the value of material arriving by rail / air / sea / road? He'd like at least twenty data points (twenty years, by preference). He doesn't care about examining particular commodities. CANSIM table 404-0021 would be useful if it covered more countries, more modes of transportation, and a longer time period.
I don't think that the trade statistics that we currently have allow this type of analysis - are there other Statistics Canada data which would capture this information? Should we be checking with some other government department for these data?
Answer
International Trade Division can produce this data, but at a fee only (multiple hundreds of dollars).
The Transportation Division does not have this type of information at the level requested. The student can have a look at our following publications for some information. I have not perused the pubs and doubt it will meet the user's needs - but just an FYI.
Trucking in Canada 53-222
Shipping in Canada 54-205
Rail in Canada 52-216
Looks like the CANSIM table you found may be the closest thing available free of charge.
A grad student here is attempting to look at international trade. He is interested in looking specifically at trade by mode of transportation - what is the value of material arriving by rail / air / sea / road? He'd like at least twenty data points (twenty years, by preference). He doesn't care about examining particular commodities. CANSIM table 404-0021 would be useful if it covered more countries, more modes of transportation, and a longer time period.
I don't think that the trade statistics that we currently have allow this type of analysis - are there other Statistics Canada data which would capture this information? Should we be checking with some other government department for these data?
Answer
International Trade Division can produce this data, but at a fee only (multiple hundreds of dollars).
The Transportation Division does not have this type of information at the level requested. The student can have a look at our following publications for some information. I have not perused the pubs and doubt it will meet the user's needs - but just an FYI.
Trucking in Canada 53-222
Shipping in Canada 54-205
Rail in Canada 52-216
Looks like the CANSIM table you found may be the closest thing available free of charge.
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