Metadata-driven Survey Design at the Australian Bureau of Statistics

DDI provides survey methodologists with ample metadata to describe statistical survey design. However it is widely recognise that description of processes is not enough, we must be able to use metadata to drive statistical workflows. One particular goal is the ability to automatically generate personalised and dynamic electronic forms from structured metadata. The Australian Bureau of Statistics has conducted research examining how this can be achieved through the novel use of XML technologies to enhance standard DDI 3.1 XML. By examining the use of XSL transforms, and XPath specifications embedded with DDI Lifecycle metadata, we can provide metadata-driven 'industrialisation' to statistical processes. To demonstrate this capability, this talk presents a case study from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, featuring a late-stage prototype of an XSLT system that automatically creates dynamic web forms featuring complex question sequencing and word-substitution in questions using DDI Lifecycle XML. This is demonstrated using DDI3.1 that describes the complex series of ABS instruments - Monthly Population Survey, which includes the Australian Labour Force Survey as well as supplementary questionnaires.