Statistical Journal of the IAOS - Volume 29, issue 3

Article Type: Other

DOI: 10.3233/SJI-130786

Citation: Statistical Journal of the IAOS, vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 143-146, 2013

Authors: Al-Jabor, Wadha | Ucar, Pinar

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Qatar's economy, driven by huge revenues from natural gas and oil resources,experienced a tremendous growth during 2004–2011 with GDP growing in real terms from USD 31.7 billion (2004) to USD 88.2 billion (2011). Compound annual growth of the economy was 15.8% during this period. Qatar has formulated Vision 2030 to manage its wealth in a sustainable manner. In order to reach Qatar Vision 2030, Qatar Statistics Authority (QSA) has embarked upon a program to inform the …Qatari society, and public in general, about official statistics and build a culture of evidence based planning. Statistical literacy is a vital element in a knowledge based society where one is required to be able to read, interpret and evaluate data. Improving statistical literacy will increase the awareness of official statistics and thereby improve the evidence base used for decision making. The QSA program will help the public to use and analyze data and promote both understanding of, and input to, policy decisions. The purpose of this paper is to report on a review of QSA's present programs and highlight future plans to develop statistical literacy in Qatar. Show more

Keywords: Statistical literacy, advocacy, Qatar Vision 2030, Qatar Statistics Authority

DOI: 10.3233/SJI-130789

Citation: Statistical Journal of the IAOS, vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 147-152, 2013

Authors: Letheby, Robert

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This paper discusses the importance of National Statistical Institutes adopting new strategies, using new technologies, and building new partnerships to bring statistical literacy competencies to life and create a culture where statistical literacy is valued as a skill, with a focus on the recent experiences of the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Keywords: Australian Bureau of Statistics, engaging, incentives, learning pathways, partnerships, sport, statistical literacy, statistical capability, transformation, user-driven learning, user-producer dialogue

DOI: 10.3233/SJI-130781

Citation: Statistical Journal of the IAOS, vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 153-157, 2013

Authors: de Martino, Valeria | Rossetti, Stefania | Rossi, Daniela

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This paper describes the main features and the evolution of an interactive flagship publication disseminated by the Italian National Institute of Statistics (Istat) since 2010: Noi Italia – 100 statistics to understand the country we live in. It gathers about 120 factsheets grouped in 19 thematic sectors ranging from economic and social fields to demographic and environmental ones, allowing users to compare national position with that of other European countries and to focus on regional differences …within Italy. The product has evolved from a static to a dynamic visualization, embedding new data visualization component (vislet eXplorer), that use widget technologies based on a GeoAnalytics Visualization tool, Statistics eXplorer. Moreover, users can download graphs, tables and time series and take further insight on each topic through links and main references. The product follows principles of accessibility and clarity of dissemination, according to the Code of Practice for European statistics and opening new scenarios also for the Istat project Stat 2015. The website is available both in Italian and in English helping to promote Istat data production abroad. A special effort is underway in order to disseminate Noi Italia to schools, improving the statistical literacy of young generations. Show more

Keywords: Interactive dissemination, dynamic visualization, storytelling

DOI: 10.3233/SJI-130782

Citation: Statistical Journal of the IAOS, vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 159-166, 2013

Authors: Chiu, Robert

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The emergence of social media has changed the way information is sent and received. However, this new dissemination tool has not altered the fundamental characteristics of an engaging story. By incorporating the basic qualities of gossip into their stories, statistical organisations can use the resulting framework to better engage young people – so that they become aware and active users of official statistics.

Keywords: Social media, viral, network effect, Facebook, Twitter

DOI: 10.3233/SJI-130779

Citation: Statistical Journal of the IAOS, vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 167-171, 2013

Authors: OBE, Alan Smith

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: As the World Wide Web becomes a source of increasingly rich content, the appetite among users for data visualisation continues to grow. This perspective resonates with calls from senior figures in UK official statistics for web content that transforms vast amounts of data into meaningful information. To enable this transformation towards rich content, evolving web technology is increasingly facilitating 'integrated content' – text, images, tables and other content types, featuring animation and interactivity, …intelligently bound together in the same document. Despite this trend, the outputs produced by many official statistics agencies continue to follow a strict, static linear publication format largely defined by the inertia of print publishing. There are advantages to be obtained by optimising statistical presentations for the web – content is more likely to be syndicated by mainstream press, dramatically increasing outreach. But producing such content requires a multi-disciplinary approach, involving the collaboration of statisticians, designers and developers. This is not a natural approach for most statistical agencies. Experience of producing interactive content as part of the UK 2011 Census first release is described along with the critical user reaction on social media and other channels. Show more

Keywords: Statistical literacy, visualization, syndication, engagement, public, communication

DOI: 10.3233/SJI-130783

Citation: Statistical Journal of the IAOS, vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 173-185, 2013

Authors: Van Halderen, Gemma | Turut, Serhat

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: For over a decade, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has been measuring the progress of our nation against a set of seventeen headline social, economic and environmental dimensions. Developed in the early 2000's by the ABS, important aspects of life were chosen after extensive consultation and debate about what should be the key headline dimensions of progress for Australia. Ten years on, and in recognition of the wide spread national and international interest in measuring …the wellbeing and progress of societies, the ABS embarked on a journey to have a new conversation with Australians about what matters. The Measures of Australia's Progress consultation, or MAP 2.0, was a national conversation on Australia's progress. A major part of the project was the use of an online blog to collect comments from the general public about what aspects of life matter most to them, and what aspirations they hold for Australia's progress. Video and written contributions from prominent Australians were used to raise the profile of the blog and encourage input from people who might not otherwise have engaged. The use of social media as an engagement and consultation mechanism by a national statistical organisation was a new and challenging undertaking, but was a huge success – over 140 quality comments were received and discussions on several other websites were generated. This paper focuses on the rationale for using social media, the experience of the ABS in hosting a blog, lessons learnt, and future plans for measuring progress in Australia. Show more

Keywords: Social media, engagement, blog

DOI: 10.3233/SJI-130774

Citation: Statistical Journal of the IAOS, vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 187-196, 2013

Authors: Ramachandran, Ramasamy

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This paper examines the increasing role of non-governmental and not-for-profit organizations (NGO/NPO) in the collection, collation and dissemination of policy relevant statistical data. Typically, national statistical agencies perform official statistical tasks and third sectors focus on the welfare and interests of their members. However, in recent years, the third sectors, besides involvement in market and business developments and industry relevant policy advocacy activities, are increasingly becoming involved in the collation and dissemination …of public policy relevant data towards becoming a voice of industry. Due to rapid political, social, economic and technological upheavals, the demand for new data, especially in information communications technology (ICT), is on the rise and becoming more complex when traditional statistical concepts and definitions, data collection methods, techniques and procedures as well as institutional arrangements and divisions of responsibilities are challenged. It is reckoned that national statistical offices worldwide find it increasingly difficult to cope with unbudgeted or unscheduled work, especially when they are bogged down with exigencies of routine tasks and limited resources in terms of allocations and in-house subject matter expertise. This paper relates to the complimentary role that private sector associations could play in industry relevant data identification, collection, processing, collation and dissemination that typically are the functions of national statistical offices worldwide. For illustration purposes, the experiences of National Information Communications Technology Association of Malaysia are depicted on how they incrementally got involved in official statistical collation activities, besides engaging in regular policy advocacy and intervention activities. Show more

Keywords: Official statistics, new age data imperatives and challenges, changing third sector roles, Malaysian experience

DOI: 10.3233/SJI-130777

Citation: Statistical Journal of the IAOS, vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 197-207, 2013

Authors: Laux, Richard | Barham, Catherine

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This paper argues that in many areas of official statistics, the accessibility ('understandability') of the results can be improved substantially by the presentation of the statistics according to an appropriate presentational/analytical framework which is itself part of a wider suite of frameworks (conceptual, statistical, quality etc.). This approach can help to align sources and results; to clarify underlying processes and interrelationships; and to demonstrate how particular statistical series or indicators relate to …the 'bigger picture'. The paper outlines some examples of different types of presentational frameworks – supply/demand, process; and cause and effect – including the labour market, migration, and criminal justice. It highlights some of the benefits of this approach in relation to making the underlying information in the statistics more valuable – for example, more accessible (and hence more trustworthy) to users. It concludes that international experience in the development and use of statistical frameworks might usefully be reviewed as an aid to international statistical comparability. Show more

Keywords: Official statistics, presentation/analytical frameworks, UK Statistics Authority

DOI: 10.3233/SJI-130787

Citation: Statistical Journal of the IAOS, vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 209-221, 2013

Authors: Makita, Naoki | Kimura, Masakazu | Terada, Masayuki | Kobayashi, Motonari | Oyabu, Yuki

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: For a long time, only national statistics offices have had the capability of producing small area statistics on population, such as, in Japan, the Grid Square Statistics of Population Census (GPC). With the proliferation of mobile phones in daily life and the significant development of ICT, there emerges a new kind of statistics called the Mobile Spatial Statistics (MSS), which estimates small area population derived from the operational data of a mobile phone network. There are …several differences between the two statistics, particularly relating to measuring de jure versus de facto population, and research was conducted to examine the validity of MSS by comparing the two statistics. Deviation rates were calculated to compare the 2010 GPC population with the MSS population before dawn on the 2010 Census day and concluded that, to a certain degree, MSS would be plausible for use in densely populated areas. We also found that MSS highlighted the busy blocks of central Tokyo early in the morning. The research proved the utility of MSS, and at the same time, it confirmed the ongoing usefulness of GPC as the benchmark of population statistics. Show more

Keywords: Small area statistics, grid square statistics, mobile spatial statistics, mobile phone network, gridded population, geostatistics

DOI: 10.3233/SJI-130778

Citation: Statistical Journal of the IAOS, vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 223-232, 2013

Authors: Nymand-Andersen, Per

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The world of statistics is continually challenged by its remit to reflect and explain complex financial and economic phenomena, as well as their relative importance in, and impact on, society. Furthermore, changes to users' needs and working patterns – which stem from the increased use of collaborative technologies – also present challenges in terms of the way that statistics are communicated to users, be they the political establishment, professional users, the media, academia or the general …public. In contributing to an involved, knowledge-based society, trustworthy, reliable and independent statistics represent a fundamental cornerstone of modern democracies. This cannot be taken for granted and further efforts are needed, in the context of democratic development, to permanently shield statistics from short-term electoral cycles. This article highlights the principal components of generating trust in statistics within modern democracies and furthermore highlights that a new two-way statistical communication strategy is needed designed to reach and engage users in statistics. Show more

Keywords: Trust, statistics communication, democracies

DOI: 10.3233/SJI-130788

Citation: Statistical Journal of the IAOS, vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 233-246, 2013