Statistical Journal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe - Volume 2, issue 4

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: As the System of National Accounts (SNA) provides standards for other fields of economic statistics, a programme of reconciliation and harmonization of international statistical standards has been urged by the UN Statistical Commission. The work is to be pursued in several different fields, particularly the following: (i) external transactions – to clarify the coverage of IMF's Balance of Payments Statistics components vis-a-vis the SNA and to harmonize the two sets of standards; (ii) public sector statistics – to reconcile the differences between SNA and standards developed by IMF for accounts of government and other public institutions; (iii) monetary statistics and …flow of funds – to co-ordinate the work on a manual for IMF monetary statistics with SNA standards for capital finance, flow of funds and balance sheet compilation; (iv) income distribution statistics – to include social aspects of income distribution and to co-ordinate this aspect with the World Bank's endeavour on Living Standards Measurements; and (v) activity classification and input-output – to identify differences between commodity classifications of UNSO, EUROSTAT and CMEA and to standardize industrial activities in this respect. There are plans to proceed with an extension of the accounts (quarterly accounts in order to facilitate the monitoring of short-term economic fluctuations; regional accounts aiding the regional implementation of government policies and development programmes). Show more

DOI: 10.3233/SJU-1984-2401

Citation: Statistical Journal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, vol. 2, no. 4, pp. 329-343, 1984

Authors: Szilágyi, György

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: In this article some basic aspects of international comparisons are discussed. Particular comparison projects will only be referred to by way of example. The objective is to clarify some general problems of the vast area of statistical activity called international comparisons. This activity has been growing rapidly during the last three decades, involving more and more countries, and new areas, by developing and refining the methods. International statistical recommendations in various fields acted as prerequisites for numerical excercises. It is time to make an attempt of systematization, primarily for the sake of better orientation in the various methods. The …discussion is confined to international comparisons of macro economic categories and closely related areas. Projects like conversion keys between various classification systems and similar activities are excluded from consideration here. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/SJU-1984-2402

Citation: Statistical Journal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, vol. 2, no. 4, pp. 345-355, 1984

Authors: Kristiansson, Karl-Erik

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The development of a dynamic perspective on the labour market has led to demands for new types of information. In addition to the traditional data on the number of persons in various labour market categories at a given time, there have also appeared demands for flow data, i.e. data on the number of persons moving from one category to another during a specified period of time. An essential part of the Swedish labour market data derive from the Labour Force Surveys (LFS), which are interview-surveys based on monthly samples of 22000 persons. The panel design used in these surveys …makes it possible to follow single individuals over a period of two years by linking data collected at different points of time. This in turn permits studies of flows between various labour market categories. The work on this technique has in Sweden focused on using empiric LFS data to evaluate the influence of various sources of error on estimates of flows between employment, unemployment and not-in-the labour-force. The development work has also covered questions of a more principal nature, viz. the usefulness of the LFS concepts and their operational definitions in the interpretation and analysis of flows. Studies of the factors behind changes of labour market status have led to proposals of a new variable, illustrating the individuals' attachment to the labour market. It is primarily intended to serve as an auxiliary in the presentation of data illustrating mobility on the labour market. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/SJU-1984-2403

Citation: Statistical Journal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, vol. 2, no. 4, pp. 357-367, 1984

Authors: Kersten, H.M.P. | Bethlehem, J.G.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The Basic Question Procedure (BQP) is a method to explore, estimate and reduce nonresponse bias. It consists of asking one question, the basic question of the survey, to nonrespondents who really cannot be persuaded to participate in the survey (refusal, not-at-home, illness, etc.). Estimates for all nonrespondents can be calculated by stratifying, according to type of nonresponse, the nonrespondents who answer the basic question. In this way insight is obtained in the bias which may affect the survey estimates. The method was applied in the Dutch Housing Demand Survey 1981.

DOI: 10.3233/SJU-1984-2404

Citation: Statistical Journal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, vol. 2, no. 4, pp. 369-380, 1984

Authors: Bailar, Barbara A.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Nonresponse is a perennial problem in sample surveys. Differentiation between unit nonresponse and item nonresponse is important because each calls for different strategies. Longitudinal surveys may bring forth the need for new strategies to cope with both unit and item nonresponse. Nonresponse strategies also vary depending on whether the survey is an establishment surveyor a household survey, and whether estimated distributions are to be released publicly. Though statistical solutions to coping with nonresponse are important and help in making data more useful, attention must also be given to motivation and training to improve response rates.

DOI: 10.3233/SJU-1984-2405

Citation: Statistical Journal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, vol. 2, no. 4, pp. 381-392, 1984

Authors: Heldal, Johan | Østdahl, Torbjørn

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: When results from monitoring surveys of water quality in rivers or lakes are presented, the results are often generalized to statements of water quality in a larger river structure or to ‘waters’ within some geographical area of interest. Such generalizations are often performed informally without applications of statistical methods for data collection or estimation. The population to which the generalizations are referred is not always well-defined. Two possible definitions of populations, one in terms of water volume and the other in terms of water momentum can be suggested. A sampling and estimation procedure is possible by which sample points can …be selected and averages and proportions can be estimated in the two populations. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/SJU-1984-2406

Citation: Statistical Journal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, vol. 2, no. 4, pp. 393-406, 1984

Authors: Brophy, Hugh F.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Claims of ‘user-friendliness’ have been made on behalf of generalised software packages for many years. Although there was a vague consensus as to what this entailed, there was little attempt to describe the concept in any comprehensive or rigorous fashion. The seminar on integrated statistical information systems and related matters (ISIS '84) discussed the subject, with respect to the personality of a user-friendly system, its adaptibility and its skill in communicating. Examples of good and poor features of user-friendliness serve illustrative purposes, and recent attempts to quantify user-friendliness demonstrate growing awareness of the problem.

DOI: 10.3233/SJU-1984-2407

Citation: Statistical Journal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, vol. 2, no. 4, pp. 407-415, 1984

Authors: Klas, Anton | Barta, Jozef

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The widespread availability of mini- and microcomputers offers new means for the improvement of statistical services. Information on the development of small computer applications in statistics is available in various European countries. The computing power and a broad spectrum of application software facilitate the territorial and functional decentralization (processing, data, activities and functions). Better chances for a gradual development of the computing facilities of the organization, new prospective applications (electronic mail, office automation, distributed file system) are offered. The mini- (micro-) mainframe connection is widely used and has significantly improved the functional capabilities of both types of machines. A …careful planning and gradual implementation of mini's and micro's applications in the statistical services is highly recommended. The mini- and microcomputers in the Czechoslovak statistical service are being applied according to the project of the territorial network of computing centres of the state administration. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/SJU-1984-2408

Citation: Statistical Journal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, vol. 2, no. 4, pp. 417-421, 1984

Article Type: Calendar

DOI: 10.3233/SJU-1984-2409

Citation: Statistical Journal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, vol. 2, no. 4, pp. 423-426, 1984

Article Type: Calendar

DOI: 10.3233/SJU-1984-2410

Citation: Statistical Journal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, vol. 2, no. 4, pp. 427-427, 1984