Statistical Terms Glossary

Interviewing method whereby the enumerator records responses using an electronic questionnaire on mobile devices such as personal digital assistants, tablets, laptops or smartphones.

Collects data using questionnaires placed on the Internet using secure methods and completed by a knowledgeable respondent.

Collects data from the holdings by telephone, with the operator located at central level reading and completing the questionnaire on the computer.

Is a form of translation wherein a human translator translates texts using computer software designed to support and facilitate the translation process

The use of computers as a key component of the educational environment

Recording of ownership of securities on computer, instead of on paper.

The automation of machine tools that are operated by abstractly programmed commands encoded on a storage medium, as opposed to manually controlled via handwheels or levers, or mechanically automated via cams alone.

Form of crime where the Internet or computers are used as a medium to commit crime. Issues surrounding this type of crime have become high-profile, particularly those surrounding hacking, copyright infringement, child pornography, and child grooming. There are also problems of privacy when confidential information is lost or intercepted, lawfully or otherwise.

A range of software systems that allow users to interact and share data. social network : a social structure made of individuals (or organizations) called "nodes," which are tied (connected) by one or more specific types of interdependency, such as friendship, kinship, financial exchange, dislike, sexual relationships, or relationships of beliefs, knowledge or prestige.

Usually defined as the activity of using and developing computer technology, computer hardware and software. It is the computer-specific part of information technology.

Concentration refers to the extent to which a small number of firms or enterprises account for a large proportion of economic activity such as total sales, assets or employment.

Concentration of enterprises refers to demographic events involving more than one enterprise before and one enterprise after events like merging or taking-over. The term may also be used to denote that the population of enterprises gets fewer owners or is spread over a reduced number of enterprise groups.

A concept is a unit of knowledge created by a unique combination of characteristics.

A conceptual model represents 'concepts' (entities) and relationships between them. Conceptual modelling is a well known technique of data modelling, together with logical modelling and physical modelling. The conceptual model is explicitly chosen to be independent of implementation details, such as concurrency or data storage. The aim of conceptual model is to express the meaning of terms and concepts used by domain experts to discuss the problem, and to find the correct relationships between different concepts.

See: Cartel, Collusion

Lending from different sources, agreed on by the different lenders, usually in the form of a group of banks.

These are loans that are extended on terms substantially more generous than market loans. The concessionality is achieved either through interest rates below those available on the market or by grace periods, or a combination of these. Concessional loans typically have long grace periods.

Debt restructuring with a reduction in present value of the debt service. In the context of the Paris Club, concessional restructuring terms have been granted to low-income countries since October 1988 with a reduction in the present value of eligible debt of up to one-third (Toronto terms); since December 1991, with a present value reduction of up to one-half(London terms or “enhanced concessions” or “enhanced Toronto” terms); and, since January 1995, with a present value reduction of up to two thirds (Naples terms).
In the context of the HIPC Initiative, creditors agreed in November 1996 to increase the present value reduction to up to 80 percent(Lyon terms) and then in June 1999 to 90 percent (Cologne terms). Such restructuring can be in the form of flow restructuring or stock-of-debt operations. While the terms (grace period and maturity) are standard, creditors can choose from a menu of options to implement the debt relief.

A net present value calculation, measured at the time the loan is extended, that compares the outstanding nominal value of a debt and the future debt-service payments discounted at an interest rate applicable to the currency of the transaction, expressed as a percentage of the nominal value of the debt.

The concessionality level is a measure of the "softness" of a credit reflecting the benefit to the borrower compared to a loan at market rate. Technically, it is calculated as the difference between the nominal value of a Tied Aid Credit and the present value of the debt service as of the date of disbursement, calculated at a discount rate applicable to the currency of the transaction and expressed as a percentage of the nominal value

Nitrogenous albuminoidal substance, dark brown in colour, that forms the organic base of molluscan shells.

Formed  from  concrete  material  consisting of several  types,  the site casting bridges for bridges with short spans, (including pre‐cast and pre‐stress), and the bridges with large spans.

An index that measures the change in the minimum expenditures that would be incurred by a utility maximising consumer, whose preferences or tastes remain unchanged, in order to maintaining a given level of utility (or standard of living or welfare).

see renewable natural resources.

Conditioning of radioactive wastes refers to the operation that transforms radioactive waste into a safe condition for transport, storage and/or disposal

A sheet or covering made of thin latex rubber to fit over a man’s erect penis or inserted into a woman’s vagina.

Hydroacoustics detect acoustic waves produced in the oceans. The sources of these waves can be both natural (marine landslides, undersea volcanoes etc.) or man-made (nuclear explosions, drilling operations etc.). The data from the hydroacoustic stations are used in the verification system to distinguish between underwater explosions and other phenomena, such as sub-sea volcanoes and earthquakes, which also propagate acoustic energy into the oceans.

An aquifer bounded above and below by an aquitard. The groundwater pressure is usually higher than the atmospheric pressure and if a well is drilled into the aquifer, the water level may rise above the top of the aquifer.