Base

Administrative Details

Definition: A placeholder for extensions to the model based on an organisation's administrative needs.
Explanatory Text: The Administrative Details object is designed to act as a 'placeholder' to allow for future extensions to the existing model. It allows for further information to be added about the administrative details required to maintain the other objects outlined by GSIM.

Agent

Definition: An actor that performs a Role in relation to the statistical Business Process.
Explanatory Text: An Agent may be either an Organization or an Individual. An Organization may be an entire Organization or entities within a larger Organization, such as departments or divisions. An Organization may have sub Agents, which may be either other Organizations within the parent Organization or Individuals that belong to that Organization.

Agent In Role

Definition: Reflects an Agent acting in a specific Role.

Change Event

Definition: A Change Event captures that a change has occurred. It identifies the information objects that have been affected, and the new information objects that have been created due to the change.

Identifiable Artefact

Definition: An abstract class that comprises the basic attributes and associations needed for identification, naming and other documentation.
Explanatory Text: An instance of any GSIM information object is an Identifiable Artefact, unless otherwise noted.

Individual

Definition: A person who acts, or is designated to act towards a specific purpose.

Organisation

Definition: A unique framework of authority within which a person or persons act, or are designated to act, towards some purpose.

Role

Definition: The responsible function involved in the statistical Business Process.
Examples: Owner, Maintainer

Process

Business Process

Definition: The set of Process Steps to perform one of more Business Functions to deliver a Statistical Program Cycle or Statistical Support Program.
Explanatory Text: For example, a particular Statistical Program Cycle might include several data collection activities, the corresponding editing activities for each collection and the production and dissemination of final outputs. Each of these may be considered separate Business Processes for the Statistical Program Cycle.

Business Service

Definition: A means of performing a Business Function (an ability that an organization possesses, typically expressed in general and high level terms and requiring a combination of organization, people, processes and technology to achieve).
Explanatory Text: A Business Service may provide one means of accessing a particular Business Function. The operation of a Business Service will perform one or more Business Processes.
The explicitly defined interface of a Business Service can be seen as representing a "service contract". If particular inputs are provided then the service will deliver particular outputs in compliance within specific parameters (for example, within a particular period of time).
Note: The interface of a Business Service is not necessarily IT based. For example, a typical postal service will have a number of service interfaces:

• Public letter box for posting letters
• Counter at post office for interacting with postal workers
  
  

  Name	Description	Cardinality	Value Type
  location	Specifies where the service can be accessed.	0..1	String
  serviceInterface	Specifies how to communicate with the service.	0..*	String

  
  

  Parameter Input

  
  Definition: Inputs used to specify which configuration should be used for a specific Process Step which has been designed to be configurable.
  Explanatory Text: Parameter Inputs may be provided where Rules and/or Business Service interfaces associated with a particular Process Step have been designed to be configurable based on inputs passed in to the Process Step.
  

  Name	Description	Cardinality	Value Type
  parameterDataType	The datatype of the parameter input	0..1	Controlled Vocabulary
  parameterRole	Used to convey the Role of this parameter. For example: Weight, UpperThreshold, AgreementLevel	0..*	String
  parameterValue	The content of the parameter	1..1	String

  
  

  Process Control

  
  Definition: A set of decision points which determine the flow between the Process Steps used to perform a Business Process.
  Explanatory Text: The typical use of Process Control is to determine what happens next after a Process Step is executed. The possible paths, and the decision criteria, associated with a Process Control are specified as part of designing a production process, captured in a Process Control Design. There is typically a very close relationship between the design of a process and the design of a Process Control.
  
  

  Name	Description	Cardinality	Value Type
  startEvent	The event which triggered the control.	0..1	String
  Status	Success or error, typically using a coded value.	0..1	String

  
  

  Process Control Design

  
  Definition: The specification of the decision points required during the execution of a Business Process.
  Explanatory Text: The design of a Process Control typically takes place as part of the design of the process itself. This involves determining the conditional routing between the various sub-processes and services used by the executing process associated with the Process Control and specified by the Process Control Design.
  It is possible to define a Process Control where the next step in the Process Step that will be executed is a fixed value rather than a "choice" between two or more possibilities. Where such a design would be appropriate, this feature allows, for example, initiation of a step in the Process Step representing the GSBPM Process Phase (5) to always lead to initiation of GSBPM sub-process Integrate Data (5.1) as the next step.
  This allows a process designer to divide a Business Process into logical steps (for example, where each step performs a specific Business Function through re-use of a Business Service) even if these Process Steps will always follow each other in the same order. In all cases, the Process Control Design defines and the Process Control manages the flow between Process Steps, even where the flow is "trivial". Process Design is left to focus entirely on the design of the process itself, not sequencing between steps.
  
  

  Process Design

  
  Definition: The specification of how a Process Step will be performed. This includes specifying the types of Process Inputs required and the type of Process Outputs that will be produced.
  Explanatory Text: A Process Design is the design time specification of a Process Step that is performed as part of a run-time Business Service. A Process Step can be as big or small as the designer of a particular Business Service chooses. From a design perspective, one Process Step can contain "sub-steps", each of which is conceptualized as a (smaller) Process Step in its own right. Each of those "sub-steps" may contain "sub-steps" within them and so on indefinitely. It is a decision for the process designer to what extent to subdivide steps. At some level it will be appropriate to consider a Process Step to be a discrete task (unit of work) without warranting further subdivision. At that level the Process Step is designed to process particular Process Inputs, according to a particular Process Method, to produce particular Process Outputs. The flow between a Process Step and any sub steps is managed via Process Control.
  

  Process Execution Log

  
  Definition: The Process Execution Log captures the output of a Process Step which is not directly related to the Transformed Output it produced. It may include data that was recorded during the real time execution of the Process Step.
  

  Name	Description	Cardinality	Value Type
  endTime	The time the Process Step ended	0..1	Date
  errorCode	The code for the error that occurred during the process execution.	0..1	String
  errorMessage	The human readable message for the error that occurred during the process execution.	0..1	String
  errorSeverity	The severity for the error that occurred during the process execution.	0..1	String
  processID	Carries a reference to the instance, so that the log entry can be related to the process. Can be useful for both manual resolution or by the Process Control.	0..1	String
  startTime	The time the Process Step started	0..1	Date

  
  

  Process Input

  
  Definition: Any instance of an information object which is supplied to a Process Step Instance at the time its execution is initiated.
  Explanatory Text: Process Input might include information that is used as an input that will be transformed (e.g. a Data Set), information that is used to control specific parameters of the process (e.g. a Rule), and information that is used as reference to guide the process (e.g. a Code List).
  
  

  Process Input Specification

  
  Definition: A record of the types of inputs required for a Process Design.
  Explanatory Text: The Process Input Specification enumerates the Process Inputs required at the time a Process Design is executed. For example, if five different Process Inputs are required, the Process Input Specification will describe each of the five inputs. For each required Process Input the Process Input Specification will record the type of information object (based on GSIM) which will be used as the Process Input (example types might be a Dimensional Data Set or a Statistical Classification).
  The Process Input to be provided at the time of Process Step execution will then be a specific instance of the type of information object specified by the Process Input Specification. For example, if a Process Input Specification requires a Dimensional Data Set then the corresponding Process Input provided at the time of Process Step execution will be a particular Dimensional Data Set.
  

  Name	Description	Cardinality	Value Type
  type	This denotes the type of object which can be used as an input.	1..*	String

  
  

  Process Method

  
  Definition: A specification of the technique which will be used to perform the unit of work.
  Explanatory Text: The technique specified by a Process Method is independent from any choice of technologies and/or other tools which will be used to apply that technique in a particular instance. The definition of the technique may, however, intrinsically require the application of specific Rules (for example, mathematical or logical formulas).
  A Process Method describes a particular method for performing a Process Step.
  

  Process Metric

  
  Definition: A Process Output whose purpose is to measure and report some aspect of how the Process Step performed during execution.
  Explanatory Text: A Process Metric is a sub-type of Process Output which records information about the execution of a Process Step. For example, how long it took to complete execution of the Process Step and what percentage of records in the Transformable Input was updated by the Process Step to produce the Transformed Output.
  One purpose for a Process Metric may be to provide a quality measure related to the Transformed Output. For example, a Process Step with the Business Function of imputing missing values is likely to result, as its Transformed Output, in a Data Set where values that were missing previously have been imputed. Statistical quality measures, captured as Process Metrics for that Process Step may include a measure of how many records were imputed, and a measure of how much difference, statistically, the imputed values make to the Data Set overall.
  Another purpose for a Process Metric may be to measure an aspect of the Process Step which is not directly related to the Transformed Output it produced. For example, a Process Metric may record the time taken to complete the Process Step or other forms of resource utilization (for example, human and/or IT).
  Often these two kinds of Process Metrics will be used in combination when seeking to, for example, monitor and tune a statistical Business Process so its statistical outputs achieve the highest level of quality possible based on the time, staff and/or IT resources that are available.
  

  Process Output

  
  Definition: Any instance of an information object which is produced by a Process Step as a result of its execution.
  

  Process Output Specification

  
  Definition: A record of the types of outputs required for a Process Design.
  Explanatory Text: The Process Output Specification enumerates the Process Outputs that are expected to be produced at the time a Process Design is executed. For example, if five different Process Outputs expected, the Process Output Specification will describe each of the five outputs. For each expected Process Output the Process Output Specification will record the type of information object (based on GSIM) which will be used as the Process Output (Example types might be a Dimensional Data Set or a Statistical Classification).
  The Process Output to be provided at the time of Process Step execution will then be a specific instance of the type of information object specified by the Process Output Specification. For example, if a Process Output Specification expects a Dimensional Data Set then the corresponding Process Output provided at the time of Process Step execution will be a particular Dimensional Data Set.
  

  Name	Description	Cardinality	Value Type
  Type	This denotes the type of object which can be used as an input.	1..*	String

  
  
  
  
  

  Process Step

  
  Definition: A Process Step is a work package that performs a Business Process. A Process Step implements the Process Step Design specified in order to produce the outputs for which the Process Step was designed.
  Explanatory Text: Each Process Step is the use of a Process Step Design in a particular context (e.g. within a specific Business Process). At the time of execution a Process Step Instance specifies the actual instances of input objects (for example, specific Data Sets, specific Variables) to be supplied.
  

  Name	Description	Cardinality	Value Type
  isComprehensive	Used to indicate whether this Process Step has sub-Process Steps.	0..1	Boolean

  
  

  Process Step Instance

  
  Definition: An executed step in a Business Process. A Process Step Instance specifies the actual inputs to and outputs from for an occurrence of a Process Step.
  Explanatory Text: Each Process Step is the use of a Process Step Design in a particular context (e.g. within a specific Business Process). At the time of execution a Process Step Instance specifies the actual instances of input objects (for example, specific Data Sets, specific Variables) to be supplied.
  Each Process Step Instance may produce unique results even though the Process Step remains constant.
  Even when the inputs remain the same, metrics such as the elapsed time to complete execution of Process Step may vary from execution to execution. For this reason, each Process Step Instance details of inputs and outputs for that instance of implementing the Process Step.
  In this way it is possible to trace the flow of execution of a Business Process through all the Process Steps which were involved.
  
  

  Process Support Input

  
  Definition: A form of Process Input that influences the work performed by the Process Step, and therefore influences its outcome.
  Explanatory Text: Process Support Input is a sub-type of Process Input. Typical Process Support Inputs include metadata resources such as Statistical Classifications or structural information used in the processing of data.
  Examples of Process Support Inputs could include:
• A Code List which will be used to check whether the Codes recorded in one dimension of a Data Set are valid
• An auxiliary Data Set which will influence imputation for, or editing of, a primary Data Set which has been submitted to the Process Step as the Transformable Input.
  In these examples, which Code List to use, or which auxiliary Data Set to use, may be specified via a Parameter Input. The details of the Code List or the auxiliary Data Set are Process Support Inputs.
  

  Name	Description	Cardinality	Value Type
  dataType	The datatype of the Process Support Input	0..1	Controlled Vocabulary
  role	Used to convey the Role of this input.	0..*	String
  value	The content of the Process Support Input	0..1	String

  
  

  Rule

  
  Definition: A specific mathematical or logical expression which can be evaluated to determine specific behaviour.
  Explanatory Text: Rules are of several types: they may be derived from methods to determine the control flow of a process when it is being designed and executed; they may be used as the input parameters of processes (e.g., imputation rules, edit rules); and they may be used to drive the logical flow of a questionnaire. There are many forms of Rules and their purpose, character and expression can vary greatly.
  
  

  Name	Description	Cardinality	Value Type
  algorithm	The rule expressed as an algorithm.	0..1	String
  commandCode	Structured information used by a system to process the instruction.	0..*	String
  expression	The expression of the rule that is evaluated.	0..1	String
  isSystemExecutable	Whether the rule is formatted to be executed by a system, or is only documentary.	0..1	Boolean
  ruleType	A type taken from a controlled vocabulary. For example: Input, Comparison, Imputation, Edit, Derivation, Recode	0..1	ControlledVocabulary

  
  

  Transformable Input

  
  Definition: A type of Process Input whose content goes into a Process Step and is changed in some way by the execution of that Process Step. Some or all of the content will be represented in the Transformed Output.
  Explanatory Text: Transformable Input is a sub-type of Process Input. Producers of official statistics often conceptualize data (and sometimes metadata) flowing through the statistical Business Process, having statistical value added by each Process Step and being transformed along the way.
  The concept of Transformable Input allows this notional flow of information through the production process to be traced, without confusing these inputs with other inputs - such as Parameter Inputs and Process Support Inputs that are controlling or influencing a particular Process Step but do not "flow through the business process" in the same sense. Typical Transformable Inputs are Data Sets and structural metadata (if changed by a process and needed to describe another output or as an object in their own right).
  

  Transformed Output

  
  Definition: A Process Output (a result) which provides the "reason for existence" for the Process Step.
  Explanatory Text: A Transformed Output is a sub-type of Process Output. Typically a Transformed Output is either a Process Input to a subsequent Process Step or it represents the final product from a statistical business process.
  In many cases a Transformed Output may be readily identified as an updated ("value added") version of one or more Transformable Inputs supplied to the Process Step execution.
  
  
  
  
  
  

  Data & Structural Metadata

Attribute Component

Definition: The role given to a Represented Variable in the context of a Data Structure, which supplies information other than identification or measures.
Explanatory Text: For example the publication status of an observation (e.g. provisional, final, revised)

Component Relationship

Definition: The role given to a Represented Variable in the context of a Data Structure, which supplies information other than identification or measures.
Explanatory Text: For example the publication status of an observation (e.g. provisional, final, revised)

Data Point

Definition: A placeholder (or cell) for the value of an Instance Variable
Explanatory Text: Field in a Data Structure which corresponds to a cell in a table. The Data Point is structural and distinct from the value (the Datum) that it holds.

Data Resource

Definition: An organized collection of stored information made of one or more Data Sets.
Explanatory Text: Data Resources are collections of data that are used by a statistical activity to produce information. Data Resource is a specialization of an Information Resource.

Data Set

Definition: An organized collection of data.
Explanatory Text: Examples of Data Sets could be observation registers, time series, longitudinal data, survey data, rectangular data sets, event-history data, tables, data tables, cubes, registers, hypercubes, and matrixes. A broader term for Data Set could be data. A narrower term for Data Set could be data element, data record, cell, field.

Data Structure

Definition: Defines the structure of an organized collection of data (Data Set).
Explanatory Text: The structure is described using Data Structure Components that can be either Attribute Components, Identifier Components or Measure Components. Examples for unit data include social security number, country of residence, age, citizenship, country of birth, where the social security number and the country of residence are both identifying components and the others are measured variables obtained directly or indirectly from the person (Unit).

Data Structure Component

Definition: The role of the Represented Variable in the context of a Data Structure.
Explanatory Text: A Data Structure Component can be an Attribute Component, Measure Component or an Identifier Component.
Example of Attribute Component: The publication status of an observation such as provisional, revised.
Example of Measure Component: age and height of a person in a Unit Data Set or number of citizens and number of households in a country in a Data Set for multiple countries (Dimensional Data Set).
Example of Identifier Component: The personal identification number of a Swedish citizen for unit data or the name of a country in the European Union for dimensional data.

Dimensional Data Point

Definition: A placeholder (or cell) for the value of an Instance Variable with respect to either a Unit or Population.
Explanatory Text: A Dimensional Data Point is uniquely identified by the combination of exactly one value for each of the dimensions (Identifier Component) and one measure (Measure Component). There may be multiple values for the same Dimensional Data Point that is for the same combination of dimension values and the same measure. The different values represent different versions of the data in the Data Point. Values are only distinguished on the basis of quality, date/time of measurement or calculation, status, etc. This is handled through the mechanisms provided by the Datum information object.

Dimensional Data Set

Definition: A collection of dimensional data that conforms to a known structure.

Dimensional Data Structure

Definition: Describes the structure of a Dimensional Data Set.
Explanatory Text: For example (city, average income, total population) where the city is the Identifier Component and the others are measured variables.

Identifier Component

Definition: The role given to a Represented Variable in the context of a Data Structure to identify the unit in an organized collection of data.
Explanatory Text: An Identifier Component is a sub-type of Data Structure Component. The personal identification number of a Swedish citizen for unit data or the name of a country in the European Union for dimensional data.

Logical Record

Definition: Describes a type of Unit Data Record for one Unit Type within a Unit Data Set.
Explanatory Text: Examples: household, person or dwelling record.

Measure Component

Definition: The role given to a Represented Variable in the context of a Data Structure to hold the observed/derived values for a particular Unit in an organized collection of data.
Explanatory Text: A Measure Component is a sub-type of Data Structure Component. For example age and height of a person in a Unit Data Set or number of citizens and number of households in a country in a Data Set for multiple countries (Dimensional Data Set).

Record Relationship

Definition: Describes relationships between Logical Records within a Unit Data Structure. It must have both a source Logical Record and a target Logical Record in order to define the relationship.
Explanatory Text: Example: Relationship between person and household Logical Records within a Unit Data Set.

Unit Data Point

Definition: A placeholder (or cell) for the value of an Instance Variable with respect to a Unit.
Explanatory Text: This placeholder may point to multiple values representing different versions of the data. Values are only distinguished on the basis of quality, date/time of measurement or calculation, status, etc. This is handled through the mechanisms provided by the Datum information object.

Unit Data Record

Definition: Contains the specific values (as a collection of Unit Data Points) related to a given Unit as defined in a Logical Record.
Explanatory Text: For example (1212123, 48, American, United Kingdom) specifies the age (48) in years on the 1st of January 2012 in years, the current citizenship (American), and the country of birth (United Kingdom) for a person with social security number 1212123.

Unit Data Set

Definition: A collection of data that conforms to a known structure and describes aspects of one or more Units.
Explanatory Text: Example: A synthetic unit record file is a collection of artificially constructed Unit Data Records, combined in a file to create a Unit Data Set.

Unit Data Structure

Definition: Describes the structure of a Unit Data Set.
Explanatory Text: For example (social security number, country of residence, age, citizenship, country of birth) where the social security number and the country of residence are the identifying components (Identifier Component) and the others are measured variables obtained directly or indirectly from the person (Unit) and are Measure Components of the Logical Record.
Concepts

Category

Definition: A Concept whose role is to extensionally define and measure a characteristic.
Explanatory Text: Categories for the Concept of sex include: Male, Female
Note: An extensional definition is a description of a Concept by enumerating all of its sub ordinate Concepts under one criterion or sub division.
For example - the Noble Gases (in the periodic table) is extensionally defined by the set of elements including Helium, Neon, Argon, Krypton, Xenon, Radon. (ISO 1087-1)

Category Item

Definition: An element of a Category Set.
Explanatory Text: A type of Node particular to a Category Set type of Node Set. A Category Item contains the meaning of a Category without any associated representation.

Category Set

Definition: A list of Categories
Explanatory Text: A Category Set is a type of Node Set which groups Categories through the use of Category Items. The Categories in a Category Set typically have no assigned Designations (Codes). For example: Male, Female

Classification Family

Definition: A Classification Family is a group of Classification Series related from a particular point of view. The Classification Family is related by being based on a common Concept (e.g. economic activity).
Explanatory Text: Different classification databases may use different types of Classification Families and have different names for the families, as no standard has been agreed upon.

Classification Index

Definition: A Classification Index is an ordered list (alphabetical, in code order etc.) of Classification Index Entries. A Classification Index can relate to one particular or to several Statistical Classifications.
Explanatory Text: A Classification Index shows the relationship between text found in statistical data sources (responses to survey questionnaires, administrative records) and one or more Statistical Classifications. A Classification Index may be used to assign the codes for Classification Items to observations in statistical collections.
A Statistical Classification is a subtype of Node Set. The relationship between Statistical Classification and Classification Index can also be extended to include the other Node Set types - Code List and Category Set.

Classification Index Entry

Definition: A Classification Index Entry is a word or a short text (e.g. the name of a locality, an economic activity or an occupational title) describing a type of object/unit or object property to which a Classification Item applies, together with the code of the corresponding Classification Item.
Each Classification Index Entry typically refers to one item of the Statistical Classification. Although a Classification Index Entry may be associated with a Classification Item at any Level of a Statistical Classification, Classification Index Entries are normally associated with items at the lowest Level.
Explanatory Text: A Classification Item is a subtype of Node. The relationship between Classification Item and Classification Index Entry can also be extended to include the other Node types - Code Item and Category Item.

Classification Item

Definition: A Classification Item represents a Category at a certain Level within a Statistical Classification. It defines the content and the borders of the Category. A Unit can be classified to one and only one item at each Level of a Statistical Classification.

Classification Series

Definition: A Classification Series is an ensemble of one or more Statistical Classifications, based on the same Concept, and related to each other as versions or updates. Typically, these Statistical Classifications have the same name (for example, ISIC or ISCO).

Code

Definition: A Designation for a Category.
Explanatory Text: Codes are unique within their Code List. Example: M (Male) F (Female).

Code Item

Definition: An element of a Code List.
Explanatory Text: A type of Node particular to a Code List type of Node Set. A Code Item combines the meaning of the included Category with a Code representation.

Code List

Definition: A list of Categories where each Category has a predefined Code assigned to it.
Explanatory Text: A kind of Node Set for which the Category contained in each Node has a Code assigned as a Designation. For example:
1 - Male
2 - Female

Code Value

Definition: An alpha-numeric string used to represent a Code.
Explanatory Text: A Code Value is a subtype of Sign - a way of denoting the value of a Code. This is a kind of Sign used for Codes.

Concept

Definition: Unit of thought differentiated by characteristics.

Correspondence Table

Definition: A Correspondence Table expresses the relationship between two Statistical Classification s. These are typically: two versions from the same Classification Series; Statistical Classifications from different Classification Series; a variant and the version on which it is based; or, different versions of a variant. In the first and last examples, the Correspondence Table facilitates comparability over time. Correspondence relationships are shown in both directions.
Explanatory Text: A Statistical Classification is a subtype of Node Set. The relationship between Statistical Classification and Correspondence Table can also be extended to include the other Node Sets - Code List and Category Set.

Designation

Definition: The name given to an object for identification.
Explanatory Text: The association of a Concept with a Sign that denotes it.

Explanatory Notes

Definition: A Classification Item may be associated with explanatory notes, which further describe and clarify the contents of the Category. Explanatory notes consist of:

• General note: Contains either additional information about the Category, or a general description of the Category, which is not structured according to the "includes", "includes also", "excludes" pattern.
• Includes: Specifies the contents of the Category.
• Includes also: A list of borderline cases, which belong to the described Category.
• Excludes: A list of borderline cases, which do not belong to the described Category. Excluded cases may contain a reference to the Classification Items to which the excluded cases belong.

Level

Definition: A Statistical Classification has a structure which is composed of one or several Levels. A Level often is associated with a Concept, which defines it. In a hierarchical classification the Classification Items of each Level but the highest are aggregated to the nearest higher Level. A linear classification has only one Level.
Explanatory Text: A Statistical Classification is a subtype of Node Set. The relationship between Statistical Classification and Level can also be extended to include the other Node Set types - Code List and Category Set.

Map

Definition: A Map is an expression of the relation between a Classification Item in a source Statistical Classification and a corresponding Classification Item in the target Statistical Classification. The Map should specify whether the relationship between the two Classification Items is partial or complete. Depending on the relationship type of the Correspondence Table, there may be several Maps for a single source or target item.
Explanatory Text: A Classification Item is a subtype of Node. The relationship between Classification Item and Map can also be extended to include the other types of Node - Code Item and Category Item.

Node

Definition: A combination of a Category and related attributes.
Explanatory Text: A Node is created as a Category, Code or Classification Item for the purpose of defining the situation in which the Category is being used.

Node Set

Definition: A set of Nodes.
Explanatory Text: Node Set is a kind of Concept System. Here are 2 examples:

• Sex Categories: Male, Female, Other
• Sex Codes: <m, male>, <f, female>, <o, other>

Sign

Definition: Something that suggests the presence or existence of a fact, condition, or quality.
Explanatory Text: It is a perceivable object. This object is used to denote a Concept as a Designation.

Statistical Classification

Definition: A Statistical Classification is a set of Categories which may be assigned to one or more variables registered in statistical surveys or administrative files, and used in the production and dissemination of statistics. The Categories at each Level of the classification structure must be mutually exclusive and jointly exhaustive of all objects/units in the population of interest.
Explanatory Text: The Categories are defined with reference to one or more characteristics of a particular population of units of observation. A Statistical Classification may have a flat, linear structure or may be hierarchically structured, such that all Categories at lower Levels are sub-Categories of Categories at the next Level up. Categories in Statistical Classifications are represented in the information model as Classification Items.