Ever found yourself thinking, ‘Okay, I’ve got all this data. Now what do I do with it?’ Well, the Australian Bureau of Statistics can help.
The ABS, through their National Statistical Training Institute, offers courses on topics such as:
- accessing and understanding existing statistics
- survey and questionnaire design
- statistical analysis
- statistical writing.
These courses can help you understand the use (and limits of) your own data, or other survey data. They can also help you use existing data sources such as the surveys run by the ABS, and understand the strengths and limitations of various analytical techniques.
Statistical literacy – knowing how to use statistical information well – is particularly relevant as we move towards evidence based policy development and decision making. It is also important for monitoring and evaluating government policy.
Two National Statistical Training Institute courses have consistently received excellent feedback:
• Turning Data Into Information: You’ll learn to transform data into meaningful written information, particularly about social policy
• Analysing Survey Data Made Simple: This two day, computer based course gives you practical skills in statistical and graphical data analysis techniques using Microsoft Excel.
The National Statistical Training Institute has developed each course module to improve your statistical understanding and skills through discussions and practical exercises. And they are all run by experienced facilitators.
“Both the Turning Data Into Information course and, the Analysing Survey Data Made Simple course were excellent and provided a refresh of my business statistics and analysis skills as well as introducing me to the myriad of ABS data sets and reports,” said John Hearps, MBA, Workforce and Personnel Research – Knowledge and Information Management and Solutions Section, DSPPR, People Strategies and Policy Group, Department of Defence.
“The opportunity to also meet public servants from various Departments and Agencies and to gain an understanding of their work and use of statistics was very beneficial. I would highly recommend ABS Stats training to organisations.”
The ABS runs courses in capital cities, as well as some major regional centres.
To find out what courses are available near you:
- visit the ABS website (www.abs.gov.au) and select ‘Understanding Statistics’ and then ‘ABS Training Courses’
- contact the ABS National Statistical Training Institute on (03) 9615 7928 or email training@abs.gov.au
*Copy supplied by ABS
