Skin cancer campaign evaluation research: technical report (PDF ...

The percentage of the population within NSW/ACT, VIC, QLD, SA/NT, WA, and TASwas used to determine how the sample should be weighted to correct for locationskews within each age band (i.e. 14-17 years and 18-24 years).A combined weight for location and gender was then used for the analysis.Note on tables and figuresIt should also be noted that, in tables and figures, the sum of the component items may notappear to add to 100% due to the effects of rounding.1.8 Notes on the data fileSPSS has been used for the statistical analysis, and the Department has been provided with acopy of the SPSS data file, as well as data tables. All variables have been clearly labelled,although there are two things that need to be noted:1. For questions regarding use of sun protection methods in specific contexts, someparticipants indicated that one or more of the specific situations was not relevant tothem (e.g. when asked what sun protection behaviours they adopt at the beach,some said “not relevant”). Data were classified as “system missing” for thesepeople, meaning that the data is presented and analysed only for those for whomthis situation was relevant.2. There are two location variables, called "state" and "metro_non-metro". In the precampaignsurvey, only postcode data was collected. Because there were one ortwo responses that could not be classified, there was a question included insubsequent waves at the beginning of the survey, which asked participants wherethey live. The "state" variable is based on the postcode data for survey 1, but isbased on this additional question used in surveys 2 to 6.1.9 Sample characteristicsThe following figures show the sample characteristics of the unweighted sample.Figure 1.9.1 shows that the sample was somewhat unbalanced in terms of gender for eachtarget audience, particularly in the earlier and most recent waves. The analyses were weightedto correct for the gender imbalance.4 Based on 2004 Australian Bureau of Statistics data.Department of Health and AgeingEvaluation of Skin Cancer Campaign | 2010 | PAGE 28