What?
The Australian Bureau of Statistics Statistical Language! product is an educational resource explaining basic statistical terms so as to help people understand and use statistics. This product is now being redesigned to include an expanded list of concepts, user friendly explanations, and better use of available technology to make the learning experience more engaging and interactive.
Why?
As well as providing official statistics, the ABS has an important role in building the statistical capability of the community so that the data we release can be used more effectively. We believe that the current Statistical Language! product could be improved to explain common statistical concepts in a way which is more informative, engaging and easier to understand.
We have developed a prototype of some new concept pages that reflect the proposed changes to the design, navigation, and content to improve the product's usefulness and would welcome your views about the new "look and feel". Note that we have moved away from simply presenting an alphabetical list of terms to an approach where concepts are grouped and then explained, including the intended use of animations or videos. You will still be able to select a term based on an alphabetical list for those you know exactly what concept they wish to better understand.
When?
The feedback that you provide during the second stage of the beta phase (ending 12 August 2011) will enable us to release the revamped product on World Statistics Day 2011 (October 20).
#1: Amy @ ABS
Hello Craig, thank you for your comments and interest in the redevelopment of the Statistical Language product. Advice we have received from our IT area is that the approach suggested is better suited for the transfer of data (for which the ABS is working on other initiatives to make machine to machine transfer of data a reality, based on the international dot.Stat initiative). As this phase of the Statistical Language product will primarily be a text-based education tool which brings together text and visual tools to increase the level of engagement and understanding of the concepts being described, we are keen to keep the definitions and interactive components closely linked, along with the approach of grouping concepts by a statistical theme. Thank you for bringing our attention to this product delivery option as potential aid to building the statistical capability of government data users.
#2: Craig
Hi guys,
Can this be provided as an XML feed consumable by other agencies.
Then we can simply integrate the feed into our own data and statistically focused sites with appropriate presentation and context to deliver a whole of government statistical language with less fragmentation and differences in interpretation.
That way you can focus on improving the content without worrying about the presentation.