Module overview
The module provides an overview of issues and ideas concerning the scope and organisation of Official Statistics and its processes and products, including Statistical Acts and Codes of Practice.
The module provides a general foundation for the more detailed study of these elements and identifies links with other relevant disciplines
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Describe the fundamental issues underlying the organisation of Official Statistics and be able to apply this knowledge in discussing the relative merits of alternative approaches.
- Explain the role that collaboration, peer review, openness and the development and application of international standards and classifications play in enhancing the value of official statistics.
- Apply procedures for measuring and understanding data quality in official statistics and use these processes for monitoring and improvement.
Syllabus
- Overview of the importance of statistics, policy and administrative uses.
- History of the development of official statistics in the UK.
- UK Fundamental Principles: EU Law for Statistics; UK Framework for National Statistics: roles and responsibilities; Nature of National Statistics Acts; The UK Statistics and Registration
Service Act; The benefits / dis-benefits of a UK Statistics Act.
- Code of Practice: Contents and intentions; Key issues.
- Models for quality, quality framework and public trust in Official Statistics.
- Scientific Principles for Official Statistics - brief overview of the role of conceptual frameworks (eg sampling, national accounts, etc.); Role of international organisations (UN, OECD, EU, IMF,
etc) and standards (SNA, BoP5, classification system - ISIC, CPA, IDC, etc); Role of city groups in development; Role of international peer review.
- Organisational issues: Centralisation, decentralisation, devolution ; Management of National Statistical Offices: Key issues; Professional Issues, ethics, professional bodies.
Learning and Teaching
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Teaching | 21 |
| Independent Study | 79 |
| Total study time | 100 |
Resources & Reading list
General Resources
Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007.
Staff requirements (including teaching assistants and demonstrators). Video clip and guest lecturer from the UK Statistics Authority
Journal Articles
Laux, Richard, Alldritt, Richard, Dunnell Karen (2007). Evolution of the United Kingdom Statistical System. Statistical Journal of the IAOS 24, pp. pp47 - 59.
Textbooks
Holt D (2008). Official Statistics, public policy and public trust, JRSS A, 171, 2, 323-346.
Fellegi I P (1995). Characteristics of an Effective Statistical System. Washington: Morris Hansen Lecture.
Assessment
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Examination | 100% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Examination | 100% |
Repeat
An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Examination | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External