Role of Metadata in
dissemination of census data
Regional Seminar on dissemination and spatial analysis of census
data, Nairobi, 14-17 September, 2010
By M. Mugisha Roger
NISR/RWANDA
OUTLINES
Introduction
 Definitions

– Data dissemination
– Metadata
Importance of Metadata
 Case of Rwanda
 Conclusion and recommendations
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Introduction
Increase demands of data not only for crosscountry empirical analysis but also country
specific ones
 Increase in the use of internet has made
statistical data available to both expect inexpert
users of statistical information who are looking
for ways of interpreting information they access
and making intelligent use of the data.
 Users are able to interpret information without
any limitation from their expertise in statistics
 Provide ways to not only intelligent use of data
but also ensure easy access by many users

Definitions

What is dissemination?
– The process of extracting raw statistical
information from a database or repository to
produce statistical output that can be used and
has relevance to statistical query it seeks to
satisfy

What is metadata?
– It is a descriptive information or documentation
about statistical data (data about data). In
other words, statistical metadata is anything
that might influence or control the way in
which the core information is used by people or
software.
Importance of dissemination of
data
Knowledge based: census data informs
anybody on the changes occurring within
a society (population);
 Policy making: census data is an essential
tool for evidence based planning, for
monitoring and evaluation of policies and
programs.
 Research: census data are used by
researchers on small or global scale.

Importance of metadata

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User : Metadata support the knowledge of potential user of
statistical information. User of statistical information needs to
identify, locate, retrieve, process, interpret and analyze census data
that may be relevant for the task aims to accomplish
Production: Metadata support the planning, design, maintenance,
implementation, processing, operation and evaluation of activities
(census, survey)
Metadata is a key element of improving the quality and access to
reliable data
Metadata enhances the dissemination to the widest audience
Ensures Easy access to information at any time
Avails data in timely manner
Considerable investment in data collection (census, surveys) but low
investment in documentation, preservation and dissemination
Cost-effective and user-friendly solution to document, preserve and
disseminate micro-data according to international standards
Importance of metadata (ctnd)
Create interaction with users i.e. increase
relevance
 Feedback can lead to improvement of
methods
 Better use of data i.e.

Role of Metadata in data
dissemination in Rwanda

Background
– No metadata existed
– In 2009, Metadata was developed and as result a
metadata for the 2002 census has been developed
– The results from the analysis of 2002 census were
published online and on portable media (CD-Rom),
but the metadata not developed enough to support
the users understanding
– Also CDs and publications were distributed up to
sector level, but large public was not reached
(printing of publication is expensive)
Current status and way forward

Metadata are being developed and the
2002 census data base and others surveys
are accessible on line:
– DevinfoRwanda (available)
– IMIS (done but need to be hosted on the
web)
– NADA (under construction)
Conclusion and recommendation

Conclusion
– Metadata plays an important role in
disseminating data and particular census data
– Wide coverage of internet and usage of ICT

Recommendations
– Make sure metadata are in various formats to
easy access and offer more options for users
– Security of metadata
Thank you