This heading indicates the year(s) in which the term or variable was used.

This heading gives information on the population or subpopulation for which the data are provided.

This heading indicates the survey question number(s) to which a variable is associated.

There are direct variables, derived variables and coded variables. For example, the question on the sex of respondents has two response categories: male and female. These categories correspond exactly to the information in the database. For this
reason, Sex is said to be a direct variable. On the other hand, first official language spoken is referred to as a derived variable because the information in the database does not correspond to a single question on the questionnaire. Rather, it is derived
from the responses to the questions on knowledge of official languages, mother tongue and language spoken most often at home.

Coded variables are written responses that have been classified according to a pre-determined classification system.

This heading shows the response categories or classifications of the variable. 'Not applicable' appears under this heading in the case of geographic terms.

This heading provides any additional detailed information (for example, on the comparability with previous censuses and other surveys) which may help users to better understand and use the data.

Data from the National Household Survey are disseminated for a number of standard geographic areas, as with other Statistics Canada surveys and the census. Details for these geographic areas may be found in the 2011 Census Dictionary, Catalogue no. 98-301-X, under the geography universe. The geography universe defines terms related to geographical concepts.

The population universe includes variables that provide information about individuals in private households, covering demographic, ethnocultural, language, mobility, education, income, place of work, journey to work and labour force characteristics.

See Figure 1.1 for a list of these variables.

The population universe (the target population) of the 2011 National Household Survey (NHS) is the population in private households. It excludes persons whose usual place of residence is a collective dwelling, for example, a hospital, a hotel, or a seniors' residence.

The target population of the NHS consists of persons from the following groups whose usual place of residence is a private dwelling in Canada:

• Canadian citizens (by birth or by naturalization) and landed immigrants (permanent residents).
• Persons who are claiming refugee status and family members living with them.
• Persons who hold study permits and family members living with them.
• Persons who hold work permits and family members living with them.

For the purposes of the NHS, these last three groups of people are referred to as 'non permanent residents.'

Foreign residents are excluded from the population universe. Foreign residents are persons who belong to the following groups:

• Government representatives of another country attached to the embassy, high commission or other diplomatic body of that country in Canada, and members of their families living with them.
• Members of the Armed Forces of another country who are stationed in Canada and family members living with them.
• Residents of another country visiting Canada temporarily (for example, a foreign visitor on vacation or on business, with or without a visitor's permit).

Figure 1.1 Population in private households universe variables



Source: Statistics Canada, National Household Survey, 2011.

The private dwellings occupied by usual residents universe is composed of variables (see Figure 1.9) which pertain to characteristics of dwellings in Canada. Dwellings are distinct from households. Dwelling characteristics refer to the physical attributes of a set of living quarters, whereas household characteristics pertain to the person or the group of persons (other than foreign residents) who occupy a private dwelling and do not have a usual place of residence elsewhere in Canada.

Figure 1.9 Private dwellings occupied by usual residents universe



Source: Statistics Canada, National Household Survey, 2011.

The private households universe is composed of subuniverses and variables (see Figure 1.8) which pertain to the person or the group of persons (other than foreign residents) who occupy a private dwelling and do not have a usual place of residence elsewhere in Canada. Household variables are distinct from dwelling variables, in that the latter ones pertain to dwelling characteristics, not to persons occupying the dwelling.

Figure 1.8 Private households universe and subuniverses



Source: Statistics Canada, 2011 National Household Survey.