Connectedness and Meaning: New Analytical Directions for Official Statistics

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is exploring the use of Semantic Web approach for statistical production from Big Data sources. While Big Data provides new business opportunities for statistical production, there are significant capability challenges facing the ABS. In particular, there is a compelling need for an integrated analytical platform that can facilitate the representation, linking, discovery and visualisation of complex information from diverse sources. This paper discusses the approach taken by the ABS in applying Semantic Web approach to these specific challenges. It describes the prototype Graphically Linked Information Discovery Environment (GLIDE) developed by the ABS, and provides practical examples of how GLIDE is used for statistical purposes.