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Census Data - Beyond the Figures

We are currently in the midst of the Australia Bureau of Statistics’ release schedule of the 2011 Census of Population and Housing data. Proper interpretation of this data requires not only understanding of the intended use of the information, but also a strong understanding of Census data itself. As Consultant Statisticians experienced in the use of Census and other demographic data, Data Analysis Australia bridge these two understandings, providing tailored information selection and advice to suit particular needs. Whilst some consideration is necessary to determine the most appropriate Census fields and information to present, these can then be produced over various regions in a systematic fashion, providing the right strategic information in a consistent, customised and quality assured format. A recent and illustrative example relates to a set of community profiles created to enable Horizon Power (Western Australia’s regional and remote electricity provider) to better understand their customers.

Survey Best Practice - Why Bigger Is Not Always Better

Surveys can be a simple do it yourself satisfaction survey, an in-depth longitudinal study that can go for years or a closely followed political poll.They can be implemented by telephone, face to face or the internet and only your imagination limits the topics that can be surveyed. They cannot be ignored and are an integral source of information for researchers. They can drive change from government policy to the label on a shampoo bottle. Although surveys may differ greatly in design and purpose, if they do not adhere to good practice in questionnaire design, sampling and weighting, the results can be very poor, even wrong. The trade-off between length of questionnaire, method of delivery, sampling size, complexity of analysis and cost needs a level of expertise. This month’s article examines some of the issues of survey design through the past turmoil’s of political polls as they endeavour to predict the outcomes of US presidential elections.

Data Analysis Australia - 25 years on

In 1988 while having an extended break living in Oxford, I made the decision to start the company that became Data Analysis Australia. The aim was to provide statistical and mathematical services in a commercially viable way. It was an exciting time - computers and software had developed to a stage where it was possible for a small company to provide genuinely useful analysis without being subsidised as part of a university or a government agency. Several commercial ventures had explored how it might be done, although with very mixed results. I started planning while still overseas.

When I returned to Perth in August the plans were set in motion, and traditionally we have set 1 September 1988 as our birthday. Initially it was just myself, working from a home office. Today Data Analysis Australia has over 20 staff and is the largest and the most experienced commercial statistical and mathematical consultancy in Australia. It is much more now than a one person operation, it is a wonderful team of dedicated and clever people, but it has remained true to the original vision.

During 2013 we will be celebrating this important anniversary.

Dr John Henstridge
Managing Director

Data Analysis Australia is the leading strategic information consultancy in Australia. Our exceptional skills in mathematics, statistics and data management provide a strong background for work that is often used for strategic decision making purposes. Our reputation has been built on our ability to provide workable solutions to difficult problems across all industries.

Applied
Statistical Analysis

Survey Design
and Analysis

Forecasting
and Demography

Business and
Risk Analysis

Spatial Analysis
and Mapping

Information Management and Data Mining

Mathematical
Modelling, Simulation and Optimisation

The strength of Data Analysis Australia lies in our flexible approach to integrating the above areas of expertise to provide cost effective and applicable solutions for clients.

Company News

Staff News

We would like to bid a fond farewell to Office Administrator Angela Cinanni. Angela joined Data Analysis Australia in 2007, and was a core part of our administration team for nearly six years. She impressed staff early, with her friendly disposition, and a diligence beyond her years. A friend as well as a colleague to many, Angela will be sorely missed.

Sadly, we are also saying goodbye and good luck to Claire Hunter-Olin, who was our administration manager, as well as the Executive Assistant to our Managing Director, John Henstridge. Since joining Data Analysis Australia in 2011, Claire took on her role with the dedication and meticulous nature required for helping a busy company run efficiently. We wish her all the best in her new endeavours.

The contribution from both Claire and Angela in our administration team has been considerable, and we wish them both every success in the future.

Congratulations

Professor Cheryl Praeger,a Director of Data Analysis Australia, has been awarded the 2013 Thomas Ranken Lyle Medal by the Australian Academy of Science. This award is given every second year for "outstanding achievement by a scientist in Australia for research in mathematics or physics". Cheryl will receive the Medal at the Academy meeting in May, becoming the first woman to receive it since it was established in 1935.

Cheryl was also selected as an inaugural Fellow of the American Mathematical Society in 2012. The Fellows of the American Mathematical Society program recognises members who have made outstanding contributions to the creation, exposition, advancement, communication, and utilisation of mathematics.

Karl Beidatsch received a suite of awards at his recent graduation ceremony, including twice being named on the Vice Chancellor’s list for 2012, the most outstanding graduating student in Industrial Modelling and Optimisation, and he also received the Dean of Science’s Honours award. Congratulations Karl!

Conferences and Workshops

Elyse Corless and Yuichi Yano have recently returned from the Young Statistician’s Conference in Melbourne, where they also attended an R workshop on manipulating large data sets. Elyse presented work relating to Courts forecasting, whereas Yuichi provided an insight into his role at Data Analysis Australia as a Consultant Statistician. Both Elyse and Yuichi reported back that they had a fantastic time networking with other young statisticians and learned a lot from the variety of presentations and the workshop.

Continuing its commitment to the pursuit of knowledge, Data Analysis Australia Consultants John Dickson and Prudence Thompson attended a Structural Equation Modelling workshop in December 2012. This is a technique particularly useful when dealing with variables that are difficult to quantify, for example happiness, but whose value can be inferred by other measurable variables such as income, job satisfaction, relationships and leisure.

SSAI WA Committee News

Data Analysis Australia consultants are again well represented on the Statistical Society of Australia WA Branch committee. We congratulate Consulting Manager and Senior Consultant Statistician Anna Munday on being elected to the position of President, Consultant Statistician Alethea Rea on being elected to the position of Treasurer and Graduate Consultant Statistician Elyse Corless on being re-elected as the Young Statisticians representative.

Latest Newsletter

Our latest Newsletter was posted in March. If you are not already on our mailing list and would like a copy to be sent to you, please contact us.

Updated April 30, 2013