Definitions
Microdata is a collection of data that describes aspects of one or more statistical unit. They are the most important data source of every calculated indicator. Microdata are structured using a known model that is usually described using metadata.
The total membership of a defined class of people, objects or events. A Population is used to describe the total membership of a group of people, objects or events based on characteristics, e.g. time and geographic boundaries.
Here are 3 examples –
- Adult persons in the US on 13 November 1956
- Computer companies in the US at the end of 2012
- Universities in the US 1 January 2011
More details: https://statswiki.unece.org/display/clickablegsim/Population
A Unit Type is a class of objects of interest. A Unit Type is used to describe a class or group of Units based on a single characteristic, but with no specification of time and geography. For example, the Unit Type of “Person” groups together a set of Units based on the characteristic that they are ‘Persons’. It concerns not only Unit Types used in dissemination, but anywhere in the statistical process. E.g. using administrative data might involve the use of a fiscal unit.
More details: https://statswiki.unece.org/display/clickablegsim/Unit+Type
The object of interest in a Business Process. Here are 3 examples:
- Individual US person (i.e., Arofan Gregory, Dan Gillman, Barack Obama, etc.)
- Individual US computer companies (i.e., Microsoft, Apple, IBM, etc.)
- Individual US universities (i.e., Johns Hopkins, University of Maryland, Yale, etc.)
More details: https://statswiki.unece.org/display/clickablegsim/Unit
The use of a Concept as a characteristic of a Population intended to be measured. The Variable combines the meaning of a Concept with a Unit Type, to define the characteristic that is to be measured.
Here are 3 examples:
- Sex of person
- Number of employees
- Value of production
More details: https://statswiki.unece.org/display/clickablegsim/Variable
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