The assurance of administrative data: A proportionate approach
Abstract
Administrative data provide an attractive means of obtaining generally cheap and comprehensive data for producing official statistics. However, their limitations need to be understood to ensure the appropriate use of official statistics. The UK Statistics Authority developed a pragmatic and proportionate approach to the quality assurance of administrative data, with three levels of assurance: basic, enhanced and comprehensive. The level selected is dependent on the risk of data quality concerns and degree of public good represented by the statistics. The approach identifies four practice areas that reflect the need for the assurance of administrative data to extend beyond the checks made by statistical producers on the data they receive. Producers should also have a good understanding of how the data are compiled and why; have established effective communication links with data supply partners; and understand their partners' data quality processes and standards. The Authority's guidance is being applied by UK statistical producers, to achieve compliance with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.
References
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