VT Census Case Studies : United Nations Statistics Division- Housing

Created and last modified by molfe on 09 Aug 2015

Brief Overall Description of the Dataset:

The United Nations Statistics Division’s dataset is a collection of survey results dating back to 1971. Responses come from all countries associated with the United Nations. These results are then used by all countries around the world for policy and decision making.

This dataset is a look at housing data not only in the United States, but also in comparison to the rest of the world, providing interesting insight into world wide trends.

Link:  http://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic/sconcerns/housing/housing2.htm.

Date Inventory Completed: 06/18/2015

Screening

  • Is the data collected opinion-based?
  • Is the data collection recurring (must be collected at least annually)?
  • Is there data available for 2013?
  • Is the data collected at the property or housing unit level?
  • Can we access the data by August 15th?

Purpose

  • What is the purpose of the organization collecting the data?

“The United Nations Statistics Division is responsible for collecting official national statistics on housing stock and housing conditions generated from population and housing censuses.”

  • Why is it collected and how does the organization use it?

This data is collected in order to understand the state of housing around the world. The data is used for policy and decisionmaking worldwide.

  • Who else uses the data?

Policy-makers, researchers, citizens

  • Who do they sell the data to?

Anyone

 

Method

  • What is the data collection method? 

Collection from census data

  • What is the type of data collected? 

Administrative

  • If designed, who created the questions?

Government

  • What is the raw source of the collected data (prior to any aggregation)? 

Collect records from the many censuses around the world affiliated with the United Nations.


Description

  • What is the general topic of the data (1-2 words)?

Housing conditions

  • What are the earliest and latest dates for which data is available?

1971-2011

  • Is data collected and available periodically?

Yes, decennially

  • How soon after a reference period ends can a data source be prepared and provided? 

Unknown


Selectivity

  • What is the universe (e.g., population) that the data represents?

Households in United Nations countries

 

Accessibility

  • How is the data accessed? 

Download

  • Is it open data?

Yes

  • Any legal, regulatory, or administrative restrictions on accessing the data source?

No

  • Cost? - One time or annual or project based payment?

None

Does this dataset appear to meet our needs for the Census study? YES

Full Inventory

Description

  • Features
    • What is the temporal nature of the data: longitudinal, time-series, or one time point?

Time Series

    • Geospatial? If Yes, at what level?

Census Tracts

 

Metadata

  • Is there information available to assess the transparency and soundness of the methods to gather the data for our purposes?

No

  • Is there a description of each variable in the source along with their valid values?

No

  • Are there unique IDs for unique elements that can be used for linking data?

No

  • Is there a data dictionary or codebook?

None

 

Selectivity

  • What unit is represented at the record level of the data source?

Household

  • Does this universe match the stated intentions for the data collection? If not, what has been included or excluded and why?

Only those who responded to a census around the world

  • What is the sampling technique used (if applicable)? 

Randoms

  • What was the coverage?

Unknown

 

Stability/Coherence

  • Were there any changes to the universe of data being captured (including geographical areas covered) and if so what were they?

Census tracts did change over the years, and new metropolitan area shifts occurred, as well as changes in UN memberships

  • Were there any changes in the data capture method and if so what were they? 

No

  • Were there any changes in the sources of data and if so what were they? 

No

 

Accuracy

  • Any known sources of error?

Potential incorrect recording or wrong answers selected

  • Describe any quality control checks performed by the data’s owner.

Unknown

 

Accessibility

  • Any records or fields collected, but not included in data source, such as for confidentiality reasons)? 

Unknown

  • Is there a subset of variables and/or data that is must be obtained through a separate process? If yes, is there a separate legal, regulatory, or administrative restrictions on accessing the data source? Cost? - One time or annual or project based payment?

No


Privacy and security

  • Was consent given by participant? If so, how was consent given?

Census takers had the choice whether or not to return the form

  • Are there legal limitations or restrictions on the use of the data? 

No

  • What confidentiality policies does the source have? 

Does not include PII

 

Research

  • What research has been done with this dataset? (e.g., impact of policies, predictors of student success)

None

  • Include any links to research if provided:

None

  • List any other data use notes provided by the supplier.

 

Gaps/Concerns

  • Feasibility - can all jurisdiction levels provide the data (if applicable)?
  • Data ownership - a lack of clarity in legal guidance stemming from a lack of clarity with who owns digital data?
  • Data collection authority - what data is reasonably private and what constitutes unwarranted intrusion?
  • Describe any other notes you have or any gaps/concerns you see with this dataset: