Statistical methodology
Every effort is made to ensure everyone is counted in a census. However, no census is perfect and some people are missed. This under enumeration does not usually occur uniformly across all geographical areas or across other sub-groups of the population such as age and sex groups.
Coverage assessment and adjustment
Coverage levels in censuses across the world are declining. This is leading to an increasing need to slow the decline through improved enumeration and methods and data for measuring coverage. In order to achieve the aims of the 2011 Census, a coverage assessment and adjustment strategy is required.
An article first published in Population Trends 127 outlines the proposed strategy for the 2011 UK Census. The strategy is to significantly improve upon the 2001 One Number Census (ONC), and use it as a platform to develop an improved coverage assessment and adjustment methodology. The article also outlines the key areas of innovation for the 2011 strategy and the options that will be considered in order to develop the final strategy.
In Spring 2008, ONS published '2011 UK Census Coverage Assessment and Adjustment Methodology' as Census Advisory Group paper (08)05 which outlined the proposed coverage assessment and adjustment methodology for the 2011 UK Census. This detailed paper was produced in order to inform users and stakeholders of the emerging methodology. This, and two shorter and more accessible guides - a six page version, and a two page leaflet are all available as downloads.
Stakeholder management is also an important part of the strategy to ensure that key users both understand the methodology. The Office for National Statistics will look to build on the consultation carried out prior to the 2001 Census and widen the user base with which it engages on this important topic.
