Reference metadata describe statistical concepts and methodologies used for the collection and generation of data. They provide information on data quality and, since they are strongly content-oriented, assist users in interpreting the data. Reference metadata, unlike structural metadata, can be decoupled from the data.
The AES (Adult Education Survey) describes the adult Danish population's (aged 18-69 years) participation in lifelong learning activities, both in the formal and non-formal education system. Respondents answered among other things about the content of their ongoing education activities, the costs involved, and the volume of the education.
3.1. Data description
The Adult Education Survey (AES) covers adults’ participation in education and training (formal - FED, non-formal - NFE and informal learning - INF). The 2022 AES focuses on people aged 18-69. The reference period for the participation in education and training is the twelve months prior to the interview.
Information available from the AES is grouped around the following topics:
Participation in formal education, non-formal education and training and informal learning
Volume of instruction hours
Characteristics of the learning activities
Reasons for participating
Obstacles to participation
Access to information on learning possibilities and guidance
The release calendar is publicly available on this webpage regarding scheduled releases: https://www.dst.dk/en/Statistik/planlagte.
Data from AES will be published in April 2024 on StatBank Denmark.
8.2. Release calendar access
Everyone has access to the scheduled releases on Statistics Denmark's webpage: https://www.dst.dk/en/Statistik/planlagte?days=d&subf=5.
8.3. Release policy - user access
All users have equal access to official statistics in Denmark.
Every 6 years.
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
The Danish AES is published in the news release of 'NYT fra Danmarks Statistik' (News from Statistics Denmark).
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
No publication apart from 'NYT fra Danmarks Statistik'.
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
StatBank Denmark:
https://statistikbanken.dk/aes1a
https://statistikbanken.dk/aes2a
2022 data will be added in April 2024.
10.3.1. Data tables - consultations
Not applicable.
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
Researchers have access to anonymised sets of microdata based on agreement with Eurostat.
10.5. Dissemination format - other
Not relevant for these statistics.
10.5.1. Metadata - consultations
Not applicable.
10.6. Documentation on methodology
Apart from this quality report, no other public methodological documentation is available.
10.6.1. Metadata completeness - rate
Not applicable.
10.7. Quality management - documentation
Statistics Denmark follows the recommendations on organisation and management of quality given in the Code of Practice for European Statistics (CoP) and the implementation guidelines given in the Quality Assurance Framework of the European Statistical System (QAF). A Working Group on Quality and a central quality assurance function have been established to continuously carry through control of products and processes.
11.1. Quality assurance
Statistics Denmark follows the principles in the Code of Practice for European Statistics (CoP) and uses the Quality Assurance Framework of the European Statistical System (QAF) for the implementation of the principles. This involves continuous decentralized and central control of products and processes based on documentation following international standards. The central quality assurance function reports to the Working Group on Quality. Reports include suggestions for improvement that are assessed, decided and subsequently implemented.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
Several filters and checks for extreme values were implemented in the questionnaires to limit the number of errors.
The sample is drawn simply randomly from the total population. The sample meets the three essential requirements that apply to all representative surveys:
Everyone in the population can be selected.
The selection is done by random drawing.
The probability of being chosen by random drawing is known.
AES is mainly used by public authorities and international organisations, and it is the major detailed survey giving details about adults' participation in lifelong learning activities on an international basis.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
AES (Adult Education Survey) can be used by a number of users, among others by ministries, research institutes, international organizations, journalists, and others with an interest in the educational area.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
No user satisfaction survey has been conducted.
12.3. Completeness
The final dataset covers all variables as requested in the 2022 AES legislation.
12.3.1. Data completeness - rate
Not applicable.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
Equivalent to other surveys based on samples the results of this survey have some sampling errors attached. The sampling errors are related to the sample selection and the patterns of non-response. Non-response occurs when an interview with a selected person is not carried out. Non-response increases the inaccuracy rate because the probability of conducting an interview with all selected people is uneven. In other words, it is the same kind of sections of the populations where interviews are not being carried out at the same extent as other sections of the population. Consequently the level of representatively is affected.
In the AES survey it was decided to apply intervals of confidence at a 95 significance level. The uncertainty has been calculated for selected indicators, see section 13.2.1.
13.2. Sampling error
The sampling error is calculated as an interval of +/- around an estimated value, usually expressed by 95 pct. confidence level.
In the AES survey it was decided to apply intervals of confidence at a 95 significance level. The uncertainty has been calculated for selected indicators, see section 13.2.1.
13.2.1. Sampling error - indicators
See table 13.2.1 “Sampling errors - indicators for 2022 AES key statistics” in annex “DK - QR tables 2022 AES (excel)”.
13.3. Non-sampling error
During the data collection, Statistics Denmark discovered an error in a filter related to the variable WANT_B. The error was identified when there were too many responses recorded for WANT_B. There was an issue with the filter, as initially, it was set as FEDNUM=0 or NFENUM=0, but it should have been FEDNUM=0 AND NFENUM=0.
This programming error has been corrected subsequently.
13.3.1. Coverage error
The sample frame is made the Central Person Register. However, there is a small number of persons who have left the country but are still registered as residing in Denmark, and on the other hand, there are people living illegally and not being registered.
Respondents have to fill in the questionnaire in Danish.
13.3.1.1. Over-coverage - rate
See table 13.3.1.1 “Over-coverage - rate” in annex “DK - QR tables 2022 AES (excel)”.
13.3.1.2. Common units - proportion
Not applicable.
13.3.2. Measurement error
In order to prevent measurement error the following was done:
Several automatic checks have been implemented in the electronic questionnaire to prevent erroneous answers (CATI, CAWI).
Pre-test of the questionnaire in order to control that the filters and automatic checks work correctly.
The interviewers received material with explanatory notes.
Explanatory comments during the interview if CAWI was used.
The possibility to call a hotline if there were questions during the data collection.
13.3.3. Non response error
Unit non-responses were adjusted for by weighting.
13.3.3.1. Unit non-response - rate
See table 13.3.3.1 “Unit non-response - rate” in annex “DK - QR tables 2022 AES (excel)”.
13.3.3.2. Item non-response - rate
See table 13.3.3.2 “Item non-response rate” in annex “DK - QR tables 2022 AES (excel)”.
13.3.4. Processing error
Persons who dropped out of the survey for several reasons are unevenly distributed across different groups in the population, weakening representativeness. As part of the quality assurance of the study, a dropout analysis has been conducted to restore representativeness. Using registry information on demographic, geographic, and socioeconomic factors, we examine which population groups are over- or underrepresented among the responses.
Based on the drop-out analysis, we have utilized registers from Statistics Denmark to construct weights associated with each response in the data. These weights ensure that response data once again becomes representative of the overall population. The calculated weights sum up to the population.
The following background variables were significant in the weighting model:
Age
Gender
Education
Origin
Family income
13.3.5. Model assumption error
Not applicable.
The AES is in general published according to agreed timing.
14.1. Timeliness
The reference period for the 2022 AES is the 12 months prior to the interview.
14.1.1. Time lag - first result
Only final results are published.
14.1.2. Time lag - final result
Only final results are published.
At national level, data are released around 13 months after the end of data collection period.
14.2. Punctuality
See table 14.2 “Project phases - dates” in annex “DK - QR tables 2022 AES (excel)”.
14.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication
Not applicable.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
See table 15.1 “Deviations from 2022 AES concepts and definitions” in annex “DK - QR tables 2022 AES (excel)”.
Some additional variables/information related to COVID-19 were collected, see also table 15.1 “Deviations from 2022 AES concepts and definitions” in annex “DK - QR tables 2022 AES (excel)”.
15.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient
Not applicable.
15.2. Comparability - over time
See table 15.2 “Comparability - over time” in annex “DK - QR tables 2022 AES (excel)”.
15.2.1. Length of comparable time series
Not applicable.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
See table 15.3 “Coherence - cross-domain” in annex “DK - QR tables 2022 AES (excel)”.
15.3.1. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics
Not applicable.
15.3.2. Coherence - National Accounts
Not applicable.
15.4. Coherence - internal
AES results for a given data collection round are based on the same microdata and results are calculated using the same estimation methods, therefore the data are internally coherent.
Staff from several divisions were involved in the survey and administration of the survey is burdensome.
17.1. Data revision - policy
Not applicable.
17.2. Data revision - practice
Not applicable.
17.2.1. Data revision - average size
Not applicable.
18.1. Source data
Population: the Danish population of age 18-69 years.
Sampling Frame: Central Person Register (CPR).
Total overview
Eligible elements: 9,058
18-24 years: 301
25-69 years: 2,147
Respondents: 2,448
See also table 18.1 “Source data” in annex “DK - QR tables 2022 AES (excel)”.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Every 6 years.
18.3. Data collection
Data collection was a mix of modes. Both CAWI and CATI interviews were used to increase the representativeness as well as the response rate.
See also table 18.1 “Source data” in annex “DK - QR tables 2022 AES (excel)”.
18.4. Data validation
Before the main survey was initiated, we conducted a pilot test. This was done to ensure the quality of the questions, ensuring that they would be understandable during the main survey.
We have tested the finalized questionnaire to ensure that filters, validations, as well as help and warning texts function as intended. Shortly after sending out invitations to the questionnaire, we conducted a data check to ensure that all questions are presented, and that filters and validations are working. In addition to the pilot test, the questionnaire has also been quality-assured through a soft launch. Here, the questionnaire has been sent out to a smaller portion of the sample, after which we have reviewed the responses to ensure that the questionnaire has functioned as intended.
18.5. Data compilation
Persons who dropped out of the survey for several reasons are unevenly distributed across different groups in the population, weakening representativeness. We have utilized registers from Statistics Denmark to construct weights associated with each response in the data. These weights ensure that response data once again becomes representative of the overall population. The calculated weights sum up to the population.
The following background variables were significant in the weighting model:
Age
Gender
Education
Origin
Family income
18.5.1. Imputation - rate
None. See also table 18.5.1 “Imputation - rate” in annex “DK - QR tables 2022 AES (excel)”.
The Adult Education Survey (AES) covers adults’ participation in education and training (formal - FED, non-formal - NFE and informal learning - INF). The 2022 AES focuses on people aged 18-69. The reference period for the participation in education and training is the twelve months prior to the interview.
Information available from the AES is grouped around the following topics:
Participation in formal education, non-formal education and training and informal learning
Volume of instruction hours
Characteristics of the learning activities
Reasons for participating
Obstacles to participation
Access to information on learning possibilities and guidance
Individuals aged 18-69 living in private households.
Denmark
The reference period for the 2022 AES is the 12 months prior to the interview.
The 2022 survey was conducted from 1 October 2022 to 8 February 2023, with reminders up to 20 March 2023.
Equivalent to other surveys based on samples the results of this survey have some sampling errors attached. The sampling errors are related to the sample selection and the patterns of non-response. Non-response occurs when an interview with a selected person is not carried out. Non-response increases the inaccuracy rate because the probability of conducting an interview with all selected people is uneven. In other words, it is the same kind of sections of the populations where interviews are not being carried out at the same extent as other sections of the population. Consequently the level of representatively is affected.
In the AES survey it was decided to apply intervals of confidence at a 95 significance level. The uncertainty has been calculated for selected indicators, see section 13.2.1.
Number, EUR.
Persons who dropped out of the survey for several reasons are unevenly distributed across different groups in the population, weakening representativeness. We have utilized registers from Statistics Denmark to construct weights associated with each response in the data. These weights ensure that response data once again becomes representative of the overall population. The calculated weights sum up to the population.
The following background variables were significant in the weighting model:
Age
Gender
Education
Origin
Family income
Population: the Danish population of age 18-69 years.
Sampling Frame: Central Person Register (CPR).
Total overview
Eligible elements: 9,058
18-24 years: 301
25-69 years: 2,147
Respondents: 2,448
See also table 18.1 “Source data” in annex “DK - QR tables 2022 AES (excel)”.
Every 6 years.
The reference period for the 2022 AES is the 12 months prior to the interview.
See table 15.1 “Deviations from 2022 AES concepts and definitions” in annex “DK - QR tables 2022 AES (excel)”.
Some additional variables/information related to COVID-19 were collected, see also table 15.1 “Deviations from 2022 AES concepts and definitions” in annex “DK - QR tables 2022 AES (excel)”.
See table 15.2 “Comparability - over time” in annex “DK - QR tables 2022 AES (excel)”.
