About the statistics

1. Administrative information

1.1. Name

Education statistics. Distance education

1.2. Subject group

04.02.50 - Adult education and other tuition

1.3. Frequency and timeliness

Annual.

1.4. Regional level

The figures are given on national and county level. It is also possible to order tables on municipal level.

1.5. Responsible division

360 - Division for Education Statistics

1.6. Legal authority

Sections 2-2 of Statistics Act no. 54 of 16 June 1989 and regulation of section 3-3 of Act relating to adult education no. 35 of 28 May 1976.

1.7. Legal document(EU)

None.

1.8. International reporting

None.

2. Background and purpose

2.1. Purpose and history

The main purpose is to show education arranged by independent distance teaching institutions from different angels. The aim is to reveal total course activities related to course level, choice of subjects, price, and age as well as gender of the participants. The statistics about course activities for independent distance teaching institutions started 1998 and were financed by The Ministry of Education and Research. The statistics has been published yearly since then. Delivery is pursuant to economic proofs stipulated by The Ministry of Education and Research on 1 January 1998.

2.2. Users and applications

Users are The Ministry of Education and Research, other public services, researching institutions, media, Norwegian Association for Distance Education (NADE) and individual distance teaching institutions.

3. Statistics production

3.1. Population

All approved distance teaching institutions receiving grants from The Ministry of Education and Research, reports on course completions to Statistics Norway. Each participant is reported by course-subject, place of residence, and aim group in addition to course level, duration, and time when they started and finished the course and finally mode of paying. NADE reports approved courses and other information such as tuition periods, main subjects etc.

3.2. Data sources

Independent distance teaching institutions and NADE.

3.3. Sampling

Including the whole population.

3.4. Collection of data

Per 1 March in the year of census data is collected from the distance teaching institutions. After correcting the data, Statistics Norway put all files together to one basic file, on which the statistics are based.

3.5. Control and revision

All received data files undergo various controls, such as deleting duplicates and checking variables for valid values. In case errors are discovered, the distance teaching institutions will be contacted for corrections. Statistics Norway makes test tables based on corrected data so that the individual institutions get the possibility to compare own figures.

3.6. Estimation

Statistics about Independent distance teaching institutions is summarily only, and special analyses are not executed.

3.7. Confidentiality

There are no sensitive data.

4. Concepts, variables and classifications

4.1. Definitions of the main concepts and variables

Adult education: Education specially arranged for adults.
Distance education: Education with high flexibility enable teacher and students to correspond independently in time and space. Tuition is arranged in different ways; for example by mail, telephone, telefax, TV, video, data conferences or via Internet, often as a combination of these alternatives.
Independent distance teaching institutions: Approved distance education institutions with the right to receive grants from The Ministry of Education and Research.
Norwegian Association for Distance Education (NADE): NADE is an organization for all approved distance teaching institutions. NADE is a member of the international organisation - International Council for Distance Education (ICDE) - whose secretariat is situated in Norway.
Subject: The courses are grouped after school subjects in accordance with Norwegian educational terms.
Level: The distance teaching institutions can offer tuition on primary, secondary, and tertiary educational level in addition to many other courses.
Completions: That means students participating at least 75% in total tuition periods.
Courses offering examination: Meaning to be a supplement to subject and level. Several courses arranged by distance teaching institutions, give students the possibility to take an examination.

4.2. Standard classifications

Classification of subject groups is worked out by Statistics Norway together with The Ministry of Education and Research, Norwegian Association for Distance Education, The Norwegian Association for Adult Education and The Folk High School Council.

5. Sources of error and uncertainty

5.1. Measurement and processing errors

Mostly errors can be traced back to basis of the statistics. Errors in coding of course completions might occur because the institutions do not use administrative data systems, neither is it easy to define what the correct subject code should be.
Distance teaching statistics include courses receiving grants only, and do not reflect the whole education activities.

5.2 Non-response errors

Not relevant. Distance teaching statistics is not based on sample surveys.

5.3. Sampling errors

Not relevant. Statistics about Distance teaching include the whole population (courses receiving grants).

5.4. Other sources of error

Not relevant.

6. Comparability and coherence

6.1. Comparability over time and space

Statistics Norway has published statistics on distance teaching institutions since 1998. The statistics from 1998 is still comparable with the statistics of today.

6.2. Coherence with other statistics

This statistics is a part of statistics of adult education in Norway.

7. Availability

7.1. Publications and other links

Statistics Norway has an Internet site where this statistics can be found. Some results may also be provided on paper in Statistics Yearbook and other publicasjons.

7.2. Microdata

All distance education statistics in Statistics Norway will be properly stored and treated in a safe and secure manner in agreement with The Data Inspectorate.


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