Sultanate OF Oman
Ministry Of National Economy
Directorate General of Social Statistics
Use of technological tools in the
dissemination of census data
Regional Seminar on Census Data Dissemination and Spatial Analysis for
Arabic speaking Countries
Amman, Jordan, 16-19 May 2011
Prepared by Hamed ALDagheishi
Introduction
The Sultanate of Oman conducted the Third population, housing and
establishments census in December 2010. Its provided a wide range of
demographic and other statistical data that contributed to the formulation of
development plans and met most of the users needs.
The dissemination of data strictly followed the statistical law set by the Royal
decree No.29/2001, which maintain confidentially of individual data.
According to this law, it is prohibited to publish data unless in an aggregate
form.
Objectives of the dissemination of
census data
The main objective of the dissemination of census data is to make it
available for the public in domestic and international levels.
The following goals are important to be achieved in order to obtain
effective results and to achieve the desired development from the
dissemination of census data:
• Enriching the communication between producer and user of the Data.
• Encouraging everyone to get and use census data in decision-making
with regard to their fields.
• Making the society much more aware of the importance of the information
we can get from the census.
• Realizing the interests of various populations and ensuring the
completion of the census as fully as possible.
Experience of Oman in previous
censuses (1993 and 2003)
- Although 1993 census data were disseminated as published tables, no
in-depth analysis was carried out by Ministry and other government
agencies.
-In 2003, the Ministry of National Economy paid more attention to analysis
and evaluation of the census results to assist the data users in
understanding the census results, In order to achieve this goal, the
Ministry proposed a series of 9 short studies and 6 in-depth studies, and
involved many stakeholders
Experience of Oman in previous
censuses (1993 and 2003)
Media of data dissemination
- In 1993, the dissemination was done through hard copy publications
such as pamphlets and books.
-The 2003 census results were disseminated in a better manner because
of the developments in technology such as CD and use of internet in
dissemination.
-Regarding the data that was not published, Census administrator had to
prepare and process the data upon request either by public sector, private
sector, individual users and academic researchers .
Experience of Oman in previous
censuses (1993 and 2003)
GIS and Mapping product
- In 2003 census, Geographical Information System (GIS) was used to
facilitate census mapping in the production of census results, the socioeconomic Atlases were produced. The 2003 Atlas was enhanced by
satellite Imagery and maps for every governorate, region and Wilayat. Its
produced as a hard copy & as a soft copy.
2010 data dissemination
- According to the rapid development in information technology, the
possibility of publishing printed volumes for users in libraries can be
reduced significantly to avoid over-stocking and waste.
-The plan is to use the website & CDs extensively and to make the data
available to support different types of users.
-In order to facilitate the dissemination of data, a well-organized publicity
strategy is developed and executed.
Tabulation and Dissemination
System
.
Background
 Space-Time Research Pty Ltd will manage the end to end “Tabulation and
Dissemination System” for Census 2010 which will specifically focus on the
following:
A. Install the SuperSTAR Tabulation and Dissemination Solution (desktop,
server, web server, etc)
B. Load the data from the Census’s Oracle s schemas
C . Configure user access, confidentiality routines
D . Configure SuperWEB mapping (Google base maps, statistical boundaries
from ArcGIS Server)
E . Set up SuperVIEW report(s)
Software Description
 SuperSTAR is a software suite providing analytical processing, reporting and
dissemination functionality of quantitative data at any aggregation level required. It
contains a number of modules that may be utilized collectively or independently to
address adaptation of source data, administration, charting , thematic mapping
and reporting requirements. These Modules are *:-
 SuperVIEW ,
 SuperWEB
Unlimited Users on the population Census
, Unlimited Users on the population Census
 SuperTABLE , Unlimited Users on the population Census
 SuperCROSS , Unlimited Users on the Statistics Department on the population Census
 SuperCHANNEL,
Unlimited Users on the Statistics Department on the population Census
 SuperSERVER, Unlimited Users on the Statistics Department on the population Census
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* This License permits to use the 1993, 2003 and 2010 Population Census data
SuperVIEW
SuperVIEW is made up of a number of different reports to show a particular
theme in the data. Its an interactive data analysis and visualization. Easy to
use tabulation and analytics provide a DATA EXPERIENCE resulting in a
wide variety of tables, charts, and maps.
SuperWEB
SuperWEB™ is a Web solution for ad hoc tabulation, providing access and
analysis of large privacy protected, confidentialized microdata tables of billions
of cells.
SuperWEB is designed for people who want to ask their own questions and
create their own reports rather than rely on information produced by other
people. Unlike other Business Intelligence and reporting products SuperWEB
provides access to all the available data and allows users to follow a QueryAnswer-Query process. This means data is turned into knowledge much
quicker.
Extremely fast queries allow for self-service querying and generation of
integrated cross tabulations, charts, and maps. Data presented on a map can
be examined in aggregated form or in detailed unit record view
format. SuperWEB is integrated with ArcGIS and used for geospatial analysis
of data in government data provider applications around the world.
SuperTABLE
SuperTABLE is the free table reader component of the SuperSTAR suite.
It uses a drag-and-drop interface to create tables with any number of
dimensions. Tables can be re-arranged, calculations added, and then the table
can be printed or exported to a number of formats.
SuperCROSS
SuperCROSS™ is the desktop client for the SuperSTAR platform. It has a
powerful and intuitive, drag-and-drop graphical interface that facilitates fast,
flexible tabulation and analytics for information producers.
SuperCROSS is an easy-to-use solution for analyzing data at any level of
detail, and then presenting the information in a variety of formats including
tables, charts, and maps. Powerful, customizable confidentiality plug-in allow
for greater automation of disclosure control, eliminating mistakes and reducing
the time required to publish information.
SuperCHANNEL
The SuperCHANNEL Advanced Course is designed to build on participants' existing
knowledge of SuperCHANNEL.
Through lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on labs, participants will be exposed to
SuperCHANNEL's full capacity. Participants will gain the experience essential for
creating more flexible and efficient SuperSTAR databases.
The target audience for this course includes: database administrators, data
managers, business areas technical support providers,SuperSTAR administrators.
SuperSERVER
The SuperSERVER provides the essential knowledge and skills for people who are
responsible for setting up and maintaining a SuperSTAR environment.
Its contains a number of mandatory and optional topics (depending on the
SuperSTAR products being used) and therefore can be tailored to participants’
needs. The trainer will assist in developing a course best suited to your environment.
The Demo
http://www.spacetimeresearch.com/data-visualization-gallery.html
http://superstar.spacetimeresearch.com/mone/#
Interactive Database for Children
in Oman
by
DevInfo GameWorks
.
Background
The Director General of Social Statistics and UNICEF are interested in
exploring innovative database technology for creating an interactive
database for children in Oman. This database will be used by children
in Oman to improve their statistical literacy about social and economic
issues in the country. The database will be child-friendly, easy to use
and interactive to allow children to play-and-learn using real
information pertaining to Oman.
Objective
 Create a system which will be used by children, both online and on CDs, to
learn more about their country and the achievements made in human
development.
This interactive database will be easy for children in Oman to use and will be
effective in helping them explore socio-economic information about their
country and the region.
The database will be in Arabic with an option for English. Statistical literacy
among children and youth of Oman is an important result that will be achieved
by the interactive database planned under this initiative.
Idea
The idea of participatory media is well-established in the areas of text, images,
audio, and video, and game play certainly incorporates many-to-many
participation. BY DIGW Users can:
- PLAY games with others online, or as solitaire
- DESIGN games from game templates, using DevInfo data and/or other data
sources
- SHARE games with "buddy" users, interest groups, or school-based classes
- DISCUSS the games online via chat, "message walls", and private
messaging
The Demo
http://www.devinfo.info/gameworks/
Conclusion
Public access to census information is an important issue,
the dissemination of census data needs to make the data available for
agencies and individuals who use the data for variety of projects.
These issues can be achieved by utilizing the new technology in this field.