Much Ado About Statistics
Sure, statistics can tell us a whole lot about ourselves as a nation. Why not expand the short-form census, then. Alter it to include a few data-gathering bits recognized as essential to understanding the direction the country is heading toward... The long-form census will still be circulated, although it will no longer be mandatory by law to fill it out. But guess what? A whole lot of people will complete the long-form census regardless, even if they are aware it is no longer compulsory.
They will do that because, just as people like to talk about themselves, they're also eager to impart information about themselves, regardless of the fact that the experts feel people will neglect responding because they're resentful of 'intrusive' questions. For most people their favourite topics of discussion remain themselves. And/or things that pertain to them. Few people restrain themselves from waxing eloquent about themselves. Either boastfully or in the way of complaint.
And, since the short-form census remains mandatory, it will be returned as it has been faithfully returned in the past. Want a trifle more information to be gathered, just isolate those that seem most likely to be useful and include them. It is not all that onerous, after all, to receive these questionnaires once every five years. Grudgingly or eagerly, people do their duty. We're Canajuns, eh?
Municipal administrators who strenuously object that they will lose helpful statistics that aid them in determining the manner in which they respond to changing demographics and peoples' needs because the long-form will no longer be mandatory, should themselves look into the feasibility of directly searching out the data they need. Why look to the federal government?
Shouldn't municipalities be responsible for themselves being alert to local situations of people movement, employment statistics, public transportation needs and how they all impact on their budgets? Municipal council should always be engaged in collaboration with their local school boards, health clinics/hospitals, library boards, police and fire officials, in any event. Get the data from the horses' mouth, fellas.
As for retailers determining through searching through StatsCan statistics relating to changing demographics, give me a break. Those big box stores don't need taxpayer-funded information-gathering to enable them to discover a sudden influx of ethnics leading them to re-stock their shelves aimed at those ethnic tastes. They've the wherewithal and the economic inclination to do it on their own. Go to it.
Municipalities know, or they should know, on their own ability to research the topics, where the need for clinics, hospitals, drop-in-centres, schools is greatest in their area. And when and where they need to respond or to intervene. If they don't, they're sitting back and ignoring vital material they themselves should be required to responsibly, responsively gather.
They will do that because, just as people like to talk about themselves, they're also eager to impart information about themselves, regardless of the fact that the experts feel people will neglect responding because they're resentful of 'intrusive' questions. For most people their favourite topics of discussion remain themselves. And/or things that pertain to them. Few people restrain themselves from waxing eloquent about themselves. Either boastfully or in the way of complaint.
And, since the short-form census remains mandatory, it will be returned as it has been faithfully returned in the past. Want a trifle more information to be gathered, just isolate those that seem most likely to be useful and include them. It is not all that onerous, after all, to receive these questionnaires once every five years. Grudgingly or eagerly, people do their duty. We're Canajuns, eh?
Municipal administrators who strenuously object that they will lose helpful statistics that aid them in determining the manner in which they respond to changing demographics and peoples' needs because the long-form will no longer be mandatory, should themselves look into the feasibility of directly searching out the data they need. Why look to the federal government?
Shouldn't municipalities be responsible for themselves being alert to local situations of people movement, employment statistics, public transportation needs and how they all impact on their budgets? Municipal council should always be engaged in collaboration with their local school boards, health clinics/hospitals, library boards, police and fire officials, in any event. Get the data from the horses' mouth, fellas.
As for retailers determining through searching through StatsCan statistics relating to changing demographics, give me a break. Those big box stores don't need taxpayer-funded information-gathering to enable them to discover a sudden influx of ethnics leading them to re-stock their shelves aimed at those ethnic tastes. They've the wherewithal and the economic inclination to do it on their own. Go to it.
Municipalities know, or they should know, on their own ability to research the topics, where the need for clinics, hospitals, drop-in-centres, schools is greatest in their area. And when and where they need to respond or to intervene. If they don't, they're sitting back and ignoring vital material they themselves should be required to responsibly, responsively gather.
"I certainly understand that social scientists, and I'm one of them, like to play with data, they like to analyze social trends and economic trends, but the reality here is there really is no good basis for collecting this information. It's a cheap way for academics and social scientists to get information that I believe should be acquired using voluntary means." Chief economist, Fraser Institute.
posted by Pieface | 1:55 PM
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