ABARE survey of businesses in Australia's mining technology services sector, Financial Year 2003/2004
Contents
- Overview *** You are here ***
- Quality Framework
- A. General Information
- B. User Requirements, Survey Objectives and Budget
- C. Alternative Sources of Data
- D. Data Outputs
- E. Questionnaire Design and Data Collection
- F. Respondent Load
- G. Population / Frame
- H. Sample Design
- I. Estimation and Analysis
Overview
 | Portfolio: | Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry | ||
| Agency: | ABARE - Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics | ||
| Contact Person... | Name: | Leanna Tedesco | |
| Email: | leanna.tedesco@abare.gov.au | ||
| Phone: | 02 6272 2295 (International +61) | | |
Summary
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It has been two years since this first survey was undertaken. In 2004, ABARE is conducting a second survey of businesses in the MTS sector on behalf of the Australian Government Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources. The information collected through this survey will be used to assess progress in achieving the recommendations identified in the report by the Strategic Leaders Group (SLG) of the Mining Technology Services Action Agenda (MTSAA). In July 2003, the SLG report of the MTSAA was submitted to Cabinet. This report identified a list of key challenges – and related opportunities – for the MTS sector. These key challenges are: The SLG report of the MTSAA included a list of recommendations, with accompanying actions, to address these key challenges. The next phase of implementing the recommendations, as appropriate, by industry and government, has commenced. The structure of the ABARE survey has been designed around collecting information that will serve as indicators to assess whether progress has been made toward achieving these recommendations. The survey results will be aggregated to produce industry-wide statistics, and then ultimately published as an ABARE research report. This report will be released by December 2004. The questionnaire has been divided into seven sections: These key areas aim to provide information to allow government and industry to assess whether the MTS sector has progressed under the Mining Technology Services Action Agenda. The information collected includes indicators for increased sales and export revenue, penetration of export regions, collaboration within the sector, investment in research and development, funding sources for development of businesses, take-up of e-business, increased development of staff, increased number of patents in the sector, and progress of implementation of the MTS Action Agenda. The survey will be sent to respondents by e-mail (preferred) or post. Post will only be used when an e-mail address is unavailable. The target RSEs are set at 10% to 15%. This assumes that RSEs will improve from those obtained in the first survey undertaken in 2002, since in this second survey we are using a stratified random sample design. DITR is providing funding to ABARE to undertake this survey as stated in the current SLA agreement. |
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Reference Period & Frequency
| Reference Period: | Financial Year 2003/2004 |
| Frequency: | Annual |
| First run: | 2002 |
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Response Rates
| | | As planned | Actual |
| Number of businesses... | | ||
| | | | |
|
| | 250 | 446 |
|
| | 225 | 331 |
|
| | 220 | 175 |
| | | | |
| Average time to complete questionnaire: | | 30 mins | 35 mins |
| Statistics... | | | |
| Response rate: | | 98% | 53% |
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Clearance Information
| Survey reviewed by | |
| Stat. Clearing House: | Financial Year 2003/2004 |
| Status: | Approved |
| Approval period: | From 2004/2005 to 2006/2007 |
| For additional clearance information, please contact the Statistical Clearing House by phone, fax, post or email. | |
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ABARE survey of businesses in Australia's mining technology services sector, |
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Quality Framework
This data quality framework has been published internationally (Brackstone G., Managing Data Quality in a Statistical Agency, (1999) Survey Methodology, Vol. 25, no. 2, Statistics Canada) and has been recommended by the ANAO as 'better practice' in specifying performance measures (ATO Performance Reporting under the Outcomes and Outputs Framework, Australian Taxation Office, Audit Report No.46 2000-01, pp63-64.) on advice from the ABS Statistical Consultancy Unit.
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Relevance
The relevance of statistical information reflects the degree to which it meets the needs of the clients. It is usually described in terms of key user needs, key concepts and classifications used, the scope of the collection and the reference period. |
Why do you need to conduct a survey? (B1)
- The first survey of businesses in Australia’s mining technology services (MTS) sector was undertaken by ABARE in 2002 (SCH approval number 01145-01). This survey represented the first major review of the Australian MTS sector, as sources such as the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) does not recognise, or publish data corresponding to, the MTS sector. MTS businesses are currently classified by the ABS under a range of industries.
- unifying the MTS sector;
- Innovation through technology;
- attracting investment;
- embracing e-business for growth;
- supply of skilled professionals;
- intellectual property;
- professional indemnity.
It has been two years since this first survey was undertaken. In 2004, ABARE is conducting a second survey of businesses in the MTS sector on behalf of the Australian Government Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources. The information collected through this survey will be used to assess progress in achieving the recommendations identified in the report by the Strategic Leaders Group (SLG) of the Mining Technology Services Action Agenda (MTSAA).
In July 2003, the SLG report of the MTSAA was submitted to Cabinet. This report identified a list of key challenges – and related opportunities – for the MTS sector. These key challenges are:
The SLG report of the MTSAA included a list of recommendations, with accompanying actions, to address these key challenges. The next phase of implementing the recommendations, as appropriate, by industry and government, has commenced.
The structure of the ABARE survey has been designed around collecting information that will serve as indicators to assess whether progress has been made toward achieving these recommendations. The survey results will be aggregated to produce industry-wide statistics, and then ultimately published as an ABARE research report. This report will be released by December 2004.
- The questionnaire has been divided into seven sections:
- unifying the MTS sector;
- innovation through technology;
- attracting investment;
- embracing e-business for growth;
- supply of skilled professionals;
- iIntellectual property;
- iImplementation.
These key areas aim to provide information to allow government and industry to assess whether the MTS sector has progressed under the Mining Technology Services Action Agenda. The information collected includes indicators for increased sales and export revenue, penetration of export regions, collaboration within the sector, investment in research and development, funding sources for development of businesses, take-up of e-business, increased development of staff, increased number of patents in the sector, and progress of implementation of the MTS Action Agenda.
The survey will be sent to respondents by e-mail (preferred) or post. Post will only be used when an e-mail address is unavailable.
The target RSEs are set at 10% to 15%. This assumes that RSEs will improve from those obtained in the first survey undertaken in 2002, since in this second survey we are using a stratified random sample design.
DITR is providing funding to ABARE to undertake this survey as stated in the current SLA agreement.
- The questionnaire has been divided into seven sections:
- Unifying the MTS sector;
- Innovation through technology;
- Attracting investment;
- Embracing e-business for growth;
- Supply of skilled professionals;
- Intellectual property;
- Implementation.
These key areas aim to provide information to allow government and industry to assess whether the MTS sector has progressed under the Mining Technology Services Action Agenda. The information collected includes indicators for increased sales and export revenue, penetration of export regions, collaboration within the sector, investment in research and development, funding sources for development of businesses, take-up of e-business, increased development of staff, increased number of patents in the sector, and progress of implementation of the MTS Action Agenda.
For qualitative questions, responses will be summarised using histograms. For quantitative questions, responses will be summarised using tables or histograms. Results may be analysed according to different type of industry segment and size of business. For the question that requires a brief response, results will be summarised. Aggregated results will be presented in an ABARE research report to DITR.
- This survey is being undertaken to obtain relevant information on the MTS sector. It is not envisaged that complicated statistical data analysis techniques will be completed. Survey results will only be presented in tables or graphically using histograms in order to display key results.
- The ABS does not publish MTS sector specific information. Instead the ABS uses defined ANZSIC industry codes. Currently the MTS sector is classified into several different ANZSIC codes. This ABARE survey will attempt to link survey results to ABS ANZSIC codes to enable some ABS data, such as exports, to be used (data from ABS Input-Output tables).
- The target population includes companies with Australian operations that may be considered members of the Australian mining technology services sector.
- Companies that participated in the first survey in 2002 will again be considered in this second survey exercise. The contact details for these companies have been updated on an ongoing basis by DITR, since DITR regularly sends an e-mail newsletter to members of the MTS sector. The list of MTS companies will be checked to make sure all relevant companies are represented on this MTS company database. If some companies are not represented, then they will be added to the list.
A definition of the MTS sector has been included in the background section of the attached ABARE survey.
What is the type of unit on the frame to be used for the survey (e.g. farm, school, practice, GP, retail business)? (G3)
- An Australian mining technology services company.
What is (are) the method(s) of collecting the data (eg self-completion, telephone interviewing, face to face interviewing, etc)? Why was it (were they) chosen? (E3)
- The only method available is self-completion given the questionnaire is straightforward.
- Financial year.
- This may become a regular survey, but at this stage this cannot be confirmed as it is dependent on ABARE receiving external funding from DITR.
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Accessibility
The accessibility of statistical information refers to the ease with which it can be referenced by users. It includes the ease with which the existence of information can be ascertained, as well as the suitability of the form or medium through which the information can be accessed. |
How will the results of the survey be explained / presented to the major users? (I6)
- For qualitative questions, responses will be summarised using histograms. For quantitative questions, responses will be summarised using tables or histograms. Results may be analysed according to different type of industry segment and size of business. For the question that requires a brief response, results will be summarised. Aggregated results will be presented in an ABARE research report to DITR.
- ABARE.
Energy and Minerals Economics.
- Leanna Tedesco
Telephone : (02) 6272 2295
E-mail : leanna.tedesco@abare.gov.au
- Access to details of respondents is restricted. There is no external (non ABARE) access to ABARE data. Information will only be used in an aggregated form in the ABARE research report.
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Timeliness
The timeliness of statistical information refers to the delay between the reference point to which it pertains and the date on which the information becomes available. |
To what reference peiod(s) does the survey refer? (A6)
- Financial year.
- The survey will be sent to respondents as close as possible to the beginning of August 2004. The completion date will be set at 3-4 weeks after the date the surveys are sent. Aggregated results will be presented in an ABARE research report due to DITR by December 2004.
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Accuracy
The accuracy of statistical information is the degree to which the information correctly describes the phenomena it was designed to measure. It includes measures of both sampling and non-sampling error. |
What is the expected total number of businesses you will attempt to contact (ie total sample size initially drawn)? How has this been set? (H4)
- One in two companies will be sampled according to the size of business (small, medium, large) and type of industry (A, B, C, D, E, F, G) breakdown - 21 different combinations. This will ensure that a stratified random sample of at least 50% of the total population will be surveyed. For (approx.) 500 MTS companies this equates to 250 companies that will receive a survey to be completed.
- Sources of non-sampling error should be minimised by using a stratified random sample design according to size of business and type of industry.
- It is hoped that all units that have been sampled will respond to the survey in order to obtain representative information on the MTS sector. If the companies that were initially included in the sample do not respond then they will be replaced by other similarly classified companies until a reasonable response rate has been achieved. A target response rate of 50% of the total population has been set.
- A system will be created where companies chosen in the initial sample who are non-respondents or are out of scope will be replaced by other similarly classified companies (by size of business and type of industry - 21 different combinations). This process will only continue until our target response rate has been achieved.
- Based on the first survey in 2002, there are 407 companies included in the MTS database. Information on these companies is current as DITR keeps this list updated. DITR has also added companies to this list, as they are identified.
We expect to add around 100 companies to the original 2002 list. There may be a proportion of these companies on the frame that may not belong to the MTS sector, may be out of business or may have been merged/acquired. The completed MTS surveys will provide the necessary details to update our MTS company database.
- Officers at DITR have provided feedback and other ABARE staff have provided advice on the survey design. The survey was also sent to three test companies on 30 July 2004. These test companies returned the completed surveys within a couple of days and ABARE then made a follow-up telephone call to obtain feedback on survey design. As a result of this feedback some minor changes have been made to the survey, which included clarifying the description of some questions.
Overall respondents were able to efficiently answer the questionnaire. They also provided positive feedback on the survey design and the question structure.
Comments have been received by DITR and incorporated into the current version of the survey. We have also received comments from the Implementation Group of the MTS Action Agenda. The Implementation Group includes representative MTS sector companies, industry organisations and government representatives. They have provided comments on the survey design and the survey process, and their feedback will be incorporated appropriately. So far, positive feedback has been received from all parties.
- There are (approximately) 500 mining technology services companies on the frame.
- A review process has been employed to make sure company details are correct and up to date and to minimise company misclassification. This process includes the removal of duplicate companies, the removal of companies not considered part of the MTS sector, and a procedure to check that company details are correct and relevant.
Of the total number of businesses reported in H4, how many businesses are expected to be live and in scope? (H5)
- Greater than or equal to 90% of companies are expected to be live and in scope. This estimate has allowed for a 10% error for companies that were included in the MTS sector but should not have been, companies that may no longer be in business, and companies that may have been merged/acquired.
- Based on information received from the first survey in 2002 and subsequent analysis, there is strong evidence to suggest that respondents are representative of non-respondents.
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Interpretability
The interpretability of statistical information reflects the availability of the supplementary information and metadata necessary to interpret and utilise it appropriately. It includes appropriate presentation of data such that it aids correction interpretation. |
How will the results of the survey be explained / presented to the major users? (I6)
- For qualitative questions, responses will be summarised using histograms. For quantitative questions, responses will be summarised using tables or histograms. Results may be analysed according to different type of industry segment and size of business. For the question that requires a brief response, results will be summarised. Aggregated results will be presented in an ABARE research report to DITR.
- A simple stratified random sample will be used.
- A representative sample will be taken according to size of business (total employment - small, medium, large) and type of industry (seven defined categories).
What allowances have been made for expected non-response and frame deficiencies in the sample design? (H8)
- A system will be created where companies chosen in the initial sample who are non-respondents or are out of scope will be replaced by other similarly classified companies (by size of business and type of industry - 21 different combinations). This process will only continue until our target response rate has been achieved.
- If the questionnaire information is correct then the data will be entered. If it is obvious that the questionnaire information is incorrect then the data will be amended before it is entered. Amendments will only be made after responses have been checked with respondents.
Will data be aggregated into statistical tables, and if so what are the estimation formulae for the principal output data items? (I3)
- Some aggregated statistics may be tabulated to provide information on the whole MTS sector. In particular, the quantitative information collected: domestic and export sales revenue, research and development expenditure.
Aggregated statistics will be calculated using a weighting strategy based on the sampling design. If one in two companies are being sampled, then each respondent will be assigned a weight of two according to size of business and type of industry.
- Sources of non-sampling error should be minimised by using a stratified random sample design according to size of business and type of industry.
- This survey is being undertaken to obtain relevant information on the MTS sector. It is not envisaged that complicated statistical data analysis techniques will be completed. Survey results will only be presented in tables or graphically using histograms in order to display key results.
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Coherence
The coherence of statistical information reflects the degree to which it can be successfully brought together with other statistical information within a broad analytical framework and over time. The use of concepts, classifications and target populations promotes coherence, as does the use of common methodology across surveys. |
Is the survey a new survey or a cycle of an existing repeated survey? (A7)
- It is a second survey of the Australian MTS sector. Some questions are the same as in the first survey, but the majority of questions are new with a similar style.
- This may become a regular survey, but at this stage this cannot be confirmed as it is dependent on ABARE receiving external funding from DITR.
- DITR will continue to e-mail regular newsletters to companies in the MTS sector. This will keep the database of MTS companies updated with changes to company and contact details.
What consideration has been given to making data item definitions consistent between repeats of this survey or across other surveys? (D3)
- There is a selection of questions that are repeated with the same wording from the first ABARE MTS survey. Other new questions used in this second survey have retained the same style as that used in the first survey.
What alternative sources of data are available and what use is made of them? (C1)
- This ABARE survey will be the only source of information available to assess progress in achieving the recommendations identified by the MTS Action Agenda. However, ABARE may extract related information from other sources such as Austmine and the ABS. Austmine, an industry supported marketing agent for the mining industry, conducts regular surveys of their members, which may yield some relevant information to incorporate into our analysis.
The ABS does not publish MTS sector specific information. Instead the ABS uses defined ANZSIC industry codes. Currently the MTS sector is classified into several different ANZSIC codes. This ABARE survey will attempt to link survey results to ABS ANZSIC codes to enable some ABS data, such as exports, to be used (data from ABS Input-Output tables).
- Coverage of the Austmine member survey is limited to current Austmine membership. The number of MTS companies is significantly higher than the number of current Austmine members.
There is no specific ABS ANZSIC industry code to represent the entire MTS sector.
What consideration has been given to the use of standards? Please specify. (D2)
- The ABS does not publish MTS sector specific information. Instead the ABS uses defined ANZSIC industry codes. Currently the MTS sector is classified into several different ANZSIC codes. This ABARE survey will attempt to link survey results to ABS ANZSIC codes to enable some ABS data, such as exports, to be used (data from ABS Input-Output tables).
