Who controls the release of statistical data?

Issue title: Official Statistics and Ethics

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Bailar, Barbara A.

Affiliations: Statistical Consultant, 2101 Connecticut Ave NW Apt. 8, Washington DC 20008-1728, USA

Note: [] Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 202 986 5646; Fax: +1 202 332 6124; E-mail: babailar@aol.com

Abstract: One of the hallmarks of an independent statistical agency is its predetermined release dates for important statistical data. Also, the agency needs to be able to release data without the concurrence of policy officials. This paper describes what happened when the Census Bureau changed the date and place for the release of sensitive data.

Keywords: Independence of statistical agencies, release dates, income and poverty data

DOI: 10.3233/SJI-2011-0714

Journal: Statistical Journal of the IAOS, vol. 27, no. 1-2, pp. 53-56, 2011