Types of use by different user categories Part 2

1. Uses and users of statistics Types of use by different user categories Part 2 Produced in Collaboration between World Bank Institute and the Development Data Group (DECDG)

2. Statistical releases Release practices must comply with international standards • The Special Data Dissemination Standards (SDDS) of the IMF, and General Data Dissemination Systems (GDDS) are leading • Principal release standards are: publication of release calendars and simultaneous release to all users • Indicative release dates are to be published 12 months in advance, exact dates one month in advance • All news releases are subject to embargo • Timeliness of release depends on the periodicity of statistics • Limited pre-release to key ministers is allowed, but must be made public

3. Press releases One tool to stimulate exposure of statistics in the media is good press releases • Press releases are simultaneously dispatched to all relevant media • Generally press releases are about new statistical data • Press releases should have a proper format • The content must be such that media can use it in unaltered form • Writing good press releases requires expertise

4. Press conferences • Occasional press conferences may be effective • Conditions: there must be news to present and the conference should be well organized • Choose an appropriate time and location • Invite the press well in advance • Prepare the speakers(s) and appoint a moderator • Ensure the availability of necessary equipment, background material and visual aids • At the end, answer questions briefly and clearly

5. Use by researchers • Researchers can be allies of the NSO • They may be interested in outcomes, but also in methods • Researchers want to do their own analysis • For analysis they prefer to have access to microdata • Access to microdata must be properly organized • Exchanges between the NSO and academia foster good relations • Having common projects can be beneficial

6. Use of microdata • NSOs possess lots of data that is a rich source for research • Some types of research require microdata • Use of microdata by external researchers has many advantages: • Efficient use of public funds – no additional data collection needed, so no additional respondent load • Better comparability of results • Useful feedback from researchers • Cooperation between NSO and researchers raises status of NSO • Arrangements for access to microdata vary between countries • Household data are easier to protect against disclosure than business data

7. Internal use • Statistics have their own significance but may also contribute to the larger system • Three important internal uses: • Calculating ratios • Cross verification • Integration in frameworks

8. Use by national accounts • National accounts are the biggest internal user of statistics • Various accounts use different sources, e.g.: • Business, agricultural and household statistics for production, income and expenditure accounts • Business finance statistics, government finance statistics and financial sector statistics for financial accounts • External trade statistics for the rest of the world account etc. • In addition to national accounts, labor accounts and environmental accounts are also big internal users

9. Use by international organizations • International organizations use (national) statistics for: • Compilation and re-dissemination, in the form of yearbooks, special reports, and on their websites • Policy monitoring and evaluation • Social and economic analysis • International organizations are also setting methodological standards • International organizations provide technical assistance to enhance statistical capacity

10. Monitoring and evaluation • A particular form of use of statistics serves monitoring and evaluation • Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) are closely related • Monitoring is the periodic collection of data about a set of indicators, in order to reveal the outcomes of policies • Evaluation is the systematic and objective assessment of an on-going or completed project, programme or policy

11. M&E techniques • The World Bank publishes an overview of monitoring and evaluation techniques • Many of those imply the use of statistics • One method is concerned with performance indicators • Performance indicators are measures of inputs, processes, outputs, outcomes, and impacts • When supported with sound data collection, analysis and reporting, indicators enable tracking progress • Participation of key stakeholders in defining indicators is important • Performance indicators can be used for: setting performance targets and assessing progress toward achieving them, identifying problems, and indicating whether an in-depth evaluation or review is needed.

12. Prominent international uses of statistics • Some prominent forms of international use of statistics are: • Monitoring the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) • Monitoring global finance (IMF) • Monitoring compliance with dissemination standards (IMF) • Monitoring development (World Bank)

13. Human Development Report • Human Development is a development paradigm that is about enlarging people’s choices • Each year the Human Development Report (HDR) presents a wealth of statistical information on different aspects of human development • All these data are available for download • Every other year, alongside the Human Development Indicator Tables a thematic statistical analysis is included • Several steps are taken each year to ensure that the HDR maintains high quality and reliability • Nonetheless several data gaps and quality issues remain

14. ILO – FAO – WHO - UNESCO • Flagship of the International Labor Organization (ILO) statistical publications is the Yearbook of Labor Statistics • The Bulletin of Labor Statistics complements the annual data • The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) produces a range of statistical publications, including The State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA) • Apart from its flagship publication World Health Statistics Report, the World Health Organization (WHO) maintains the WHO Statistical Information System (WHOSIS), an interactive database • The UNESCO Institute for Statistics produces many statistical publications, including: Global Education Digest

15. Statistics and Data Quality • Quality is always an issue with statistics. • Quality of information can adversely be affected by two main factors: • Non sampling errors: these are mostly caused by the data sources, due to: • Incorrect reporting due to lack of knowledge, • Incorrect reporting due to errors in administrations • Sampling errors, due to: • Incomplete coverage • Serious non response issues, • Problems with the application of mathematical formulas • Defining: ethics and skills