Australasian Mortality Data Interest Group (AMDIG)
Terms of reference
19 November 2003
The committee meets annually on a face to face basis and at other times by
teleconference as required. Its overall function is to facilitate information
sharing relating to the collection, collation, coding, dissemination and
analysis of causes of death data in Australia, New Zealand and potentially
within the Asia-Pacific region.
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Communication
- Provide a forum for exchanging mortality information issues
for users and information managers
- Provide a link between local mortality information issues
and international developments
Technical discussion
- Provide advice to managers and users of mortality information
on technical standards related to data collection, analysis
and reporting
Policy discussion
- Provide advice to managers of mortality information on policy
and procedures
- Promote the scope, coverage and quality of mortality information
Communication mechanisms
- meetings
- newsletters
- bulletin boards
- list servers
- web sites
Meetings
AMDIG discussion list - user guidelines
The Australasian Mortality Data Interest Group (AMDIG) discussion
list allows members to communicate via e-mail. The discussion
list is administered by the National Centre for Classification
in Health, Brisbane using the Queensland University of Technology
(QUT) Interest Group software.
The interest group software program contains subscribers'
e-mail addresses. Each time a message is posted to the list, the
program automatically forwards the message to all listed e-mail
addresses. You must subscribe to receive and post messages to
the AMDIG discussion list.
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Information and the rules for using QUT e-mail services are located at: http://www.its.qut.edu.au/governance/policies.jsp
Purpose of the AMDIG discussion list
The AMDIG discussion list provides an opportunity to communicate
with all list subscribers about issues relating to the collection,
coding, collation, dissemination and use of mortality data. It
also encourages establishment of one-to-one contact with colleagues
to address specific questions or topic areas.
How to use the discussion list
Posting messages
To post messages to the discussion list send an e-mail to: amdig@qut.edu.au
When you send a message to this address, your e-mail is sent to everyone who is
subscribed to the list.
Replying to a posted message
Using the 'reply' or the 'reply to all' feature of your e-mail program to respond
to a message - your reply is sent to all who are subscribed to the discussion
list.
Subscribing
To subscribe to the AMDIG discussion list send an e-mail containing
‘Subscribe AMDIG’ in the subject line, and in the
body of the message your first name, family name, organisation
and e-mail address to: ncch.brisbane@qut.edu.au
Unsubscribing
To unsubscribe from the AMDIG discussion list send an e-mail
containing ‘Unsubscribe AMDIG’ in the subject line,
to: ncch.brisbane@qut.edu.au
Getting help
If you encounter any problem using the discussion list please
e-mail: ncch.brisbane@qut.edu.au
Auto replies
Using automatic replies on list-servers can cause bouncing messages
– a continual loop of the same message. QUT Information
Technology Services have modified the QUT Interest Group software
to prevent bouncing messages. There is no need to unsubscribe
from the AMDIG discussion list when setting auto replies.
Changing your e-mail address
If your subscribed e-mail address is changed, you will need to
unsubscribe the old address and resubscribe to the discussion
list with the new address.
Size limit on posted messages
Because the discussion list is sent to a large number of subscribers,
there is a limit on the size of a message which can be posted,
including attachments.
Etiquette
- Use a brief, clear subject phrase which allows quick identification
of the purpose of your message
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- Keep discussion in line with the purpose of the discussion
list. Off-the-topic postings should be ignored or replied to
individually and in private
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- Sign all messages and include your e-mail address. Do not post anonymous mail
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- When replying to messages, use your e-mail ?reply to? or ?reply to all? setting
which will preset your subject as re: xyz
(the same as original message). This helps list subscribers to identify relevant
topics and follow the thread of discussion
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- Advertising by commercial groups is not permitted on the discussion
list
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- When replying to a message sent to the list, do not post the
original message or signatures back to the list as part of your
message
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- Avoid ‘me-too’ or other simple confirmation responses.
This does not add anything new to the discussion and can create
confusion
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- The AMDIG discussion list is G-rated. Do not write anything
personally or professionally insulting or defamatory to other
subscribers
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- Subscribers posting survey questions for research data collection
should include a personal e-mail address so subscribers can
reply directly
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- Use plain text and easy to read fonts. Do not write messages
in UPPER CASE as it is very difficult to read
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