Major field of study (based on the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) Canada 2011)

Part A - Short definition:

Main subject area of the person's highest postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree.

Part B - Detailed definition:

Refers to the predominant discipline or area of learning or training of a person's highest completed postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree classified according to the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) Canada 2011.

Reported in:

2011

Reported for:

Population aged 15 years and over in private households

Question number(s):

Coded variable: Question 31

Responses:

Major field of study was a write-in response. This variable was created by assigning a field of study code from the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), Canada 2011. See Appendix 2.2 Major field of study – Classification based on the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) Canada 2011 codes for the CIP Canada 2011 structure. Respondents selected 'No certificate, diploma or degree higher than high school' for persons without a postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree.

Remarks:

The Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) was developed in 1980 by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) in the United States. NCES released updates in 1985, 1990 and 2000. CIP Canada 2000 was the first Canadian version of this classification. CIP Canada 2011 is an updated and revised version. The CIP is a classification benchmark that serves to facilitate the comparison of data on educational stocks and flow between the three countries that are signatories to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the United States, Canada and Mexico, while maintaining relevant detail on educational output within each country.

For the 2011 National Household Survey (NHS), Major field of study is provided using both CIP Canada 2011 and the older CIP Canada 2000 to facilitate comparison with other data sources.

CIP Canada 2011 is subdivided into three levels: 49 'series' (a series represents the most general groupings of programs that are related in subject area, 2-digit codes); 387 'subseries' (an intermediate grouping of programs that have comparable content and objectives, 4-digit codes); and over 1,600 instructional program classes (which represent the most detailed and specific subjects of study, 6-digit codes). A variant of the CIP Canada 2011 aggregates the codes into 13 'primary groupings'. The 12 primary groupings which are used for the NHS are: Education; Visual and performing arts, and communications technologies; Humanities; Social and behavioural sciences and law; Business, management and public administration; Physical and life sciences and technologies; Mathematics, computer and information sciences; Architecture, engineering and related technologies; Agriculture, natural resources and conservation; Health and related fields; Personal, protective and transportation services; and Other. For the NHS, 'Other' excludes programs of study that are below the postsecondary level. The thirteenth grouping which includes courses in 'Personal improvement and leisure' is not used.

The help information for the NHS questionnaire instructed respondents to be as specific as possible in indicating a subfield or subcategory of specialization within a broad discipline or area of training, especially for graduate studies or other advanced training. The degree to which respondents answered according to this criterion is reflected in the distribution of estimates for the CIP categories.

This 'Major field of study' variable can be used either independently or in conjunction with the Highest certificate, diploma or degree variable. When the latter is used with 'Major field of study,' it should be noted that different fields of study will be more common for different types of postsecondary qualifications. At the detailed program level, some programs are only offered by certain kinds of institutions.

Theoretical concordances showing the conceptual relationships between CIP Canada 2000 and CIP Canada 2011 based on instructional program class definitions will be made available at: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/concepts/concordances-classifications-eng.htm.

For more information on the CIP classifications, see the Classification of Instructional Programs, Canada, 2000, Catalogue no. 12-590-XPE and the Classification of Instructional Programs, Canada 2011, Catalogue no. 12-590-X available from: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/concepts/classification-eng.htm.

For any comments on data quality for this variable, refer to the Education Reference Guide, 2011 National Household Survey.