Survey of Colleges and Institutes (SCI)

Detailed information for 2003-2004

Status:

Inactive

Frequency:

Annual

Record number:

5143

The objective of this program is to collect full-time aggregate public college and institute enrolment and graduate data.

Data release - November 2, 2007

Description

The objective of this program is to collect full-time aggregate public college and institute enrolment and graduate data. We also collect a list of the "public" colleges for each jurisdiction. This list is used for confirming which institutions are covered in the survey and is also used for updating the Register of Postsecondary and Adult Education Institutions. Data will only be broken out at the provincial/territorial level. The data from this survey will be used for updating the annual Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) data request and the Pan-Canadian Education Indicators Program (PCEIP).

Reference period: Academic year (September 1 to August 31)

Subjects

  • Educational attainment
  • Education, training and learning
  • Fields of study
  • Students

Data sources and methodology

Target population

This survey covers enrolment in publicly funded colleges and institutes only. Universities are excluded. Colleges and institutes are institutions created under the authority of either a province's Colleges Act or equivalent, or under a Societies Act or equivalent, with education as a primary purpose. These institutions offer certificate, diploma, and transfer or continuing education programs, as well as professional development programs.

Instrument design

The questionnaire entitled "Survey of Colleges and Institutes" includes two (2) tables. These two (2) tables collect generic data on enrolments and graduates of Canadian public colleges and institutes. The templates were created following formal consultation with provincial and territorial departments or ministries of advanced education, colleges, various national organizations and other data users.

Sampling

This survey is a census with a cross-sectional design.

Data are collected for all units of the target population, therefore, no sampling is done.

Data sources

Data collection for this reference period: 2007-04-01 to 2007-09-30

Responding to this survey is mandatory.

Data are collected directly from survey respondents and derived from other Statistics Canada surveys.

SCI collects aggregate enrolments and graduates data that are, in most cases, provided by provincial and territorial departments or ministries of education who had originally collected these data for their own purposes. The initial contact consists of a written data request via e-mail as well as a table requesting enrolments and graduates data. This initial contact occurred in April 2007 and requested information for 2003-2004 and 2004-2005. The provincial or territorial contacts were then followed up by e-mail or telephone, between May and September. The collection method used is electronic. It consists of sending electronic tables to Statistics Canada.

Data for Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island were obtained from the Postsecondary Student Information System (PSIS, record number 5017). Data for Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Nunavut were obtained by sending the written data request and tables directly to the colleges.

We also collect a list of the "public" colleges for each jurisdiction. This list is used for confirming which institutions are covered in the survey and will also be used for updating the Register of Postsecondary and Adult Education Institutions (record number 5075).

View the Questionnaire(s) and reporting guide(s) .

Error detection

Error detection is done at the macro level as part of data processing.

Statistics Canada performs a series of data quality controls, which include:

(1) Checking for internal consistencies, e.g., missing and invalid data, data element inconsistencies, executing frequency tables and examining outliers for certain data elements. These edits are done manually or using basic spreadsheets and databases software;

(2) Comparing the most recent data year with past data years to detect any unusual or unexpected changes. Counts and rates are compared with data from previous years;

(3) Where available, comparisons of tabulated data or reports are made with the data published by the provincial and territorial departments or ministries of education.

Imputation

SCI uses methodologies, tools and processing procedures allowing manual editing and imputation of aggregate data. For incomplete information, imputation is done using previous year's trend if available, and current data point. Depending on each case, imputation can also be done using data elements obtained from the survey and other key indicators such as population estimates.

Estimation

This methodology type does not apply to this statistical program.

Quality evaluation

During the SCI data production process, Statistics Canada performs a series of data quality controls which include:

1) Ensuring that Statistics Canada data are consistent with provincial and territorial departments or ministries of education data that have been published;

2) Sending the corresponding electronic extracts and certification tables to each responding coordinating body for their review and approval to ensure that Statistics Canada and their departments or ministries of education obtain the same (or similar) results;

3) Reviewing yearly the colleges and institutes requirements for each province and territory in order to identify any changes which may have an impact on the data;

4) Comparing trends with other data sources.

Disclosure control

Statistics Canada is prohibited by law from releasing any data that would divulge information obtained under the Statistics Act that relates to any identifiable person, business or organization without the prior knowledge or the consent in writing of that person, business or organization. Various confidentiality rules are applied to all data that are released or published to prevent the publication or disclosure of any information deemed confidential. If necessary, data are suppressed to prevent direct or residual disclosure of identifiable data.

The SCI data are aggregated by province and territory. The tables are evaluated in accordance with the Statistics Canada rules on confidentiality.

In regard to client requests for cross-classified data, Statistics Canada does not supply any tables that could identify a student or graduate. As a guideline, a cell with a count of less than three (3) is suppressed, and in order to avoid residual disclosure, other cells are also chosen for suppression.

Revisions and seasonal adjustment

This methodology does not apply to this survey.

Data accuracy

The SCI is mandatory, therefore minimizing undercoverage. The maintenance of close relations with respondents is an important factor in minimizing non-response. The response rate for this survey is 100%. In order to obtain consistent counts of students and graduates, Statistics Canada ensures that all respondents follow common guidelines and definitions.

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