Descriptive Analyses Methodology

What These Analyses Do

Descriptive analyses examine specific relationships between variables in selected geographies using real ABS Census 2021 data, adjusted for wage and consumer price inflation to 2025-26. Rather than generating synthetic individuals, these analyses work directly with aggregate Census distributions. The patterns shown are the actual relationships captured in the Australian Census; how income distributes across age groups in a given region, how health limitations vary by demographic characteristics, or how education levels cluster within occupational categories.

Why Real Data, Not Synthetic?

Descriptive analyses ask about aggregate patterns and population distributions, not about individual-level pathways. We have direct access to these patterns through ABS Census 2021 cross-tabulations. Synthetic data serves a different purpose: mediation analyses and profile analyses need realistic individual-level observations to compute effects and test relationships. For descriptive questions; "what is the association between these two variables in this geography?"; the Census data itself is the authoritative answer.

Calculations

Three calculation approaches appear across descriptive reports. Log ratio measures the balance between two groups across a dimension, producing symmetric results where positive values indicate relatively more of one group and negative values indicate more of the other. Prevalence shows how common a characteristic is within a defined population segment, expressed as a percentage. Income adjustment shifts 2021 Census income brackets forward to 2025-26 values using state-specific Wage Price Index factors.

Interpretation Guidance

Each descriptive report includes orientation guidance to help readers identify meaningful patterns. We deliberately do not reach conclusions; the same pattern can mean different things depending on context, policy questions, or domain expertise. Combine these analyses with your own knowledge of the domain, industry, or region to develop contextual interpretation.

What These Analyses Don't Do

Descriptive analyses are not causal. They show patterns of association but do not demonstrate why those patterns exist. For causal pathway analysis, see the mediation analyses.

Data Source

ABS Census 2021, AUSynth v1.0.