Statistics - When facts count, 12.6.2017

1. Users of
statistics
Who are they
and what do
they need/want?
Ineke Stoop
Chair ESAC

2. Statistics – when facts count - Helsinki June 2017
The ESAC (European Statistical Advisory Committee) shall assist the
European Parliament, the Council and the Commission in ensuring
that user requirements and the costs borne by information providers
and producers are taken into account in coordinating the strategic
objectives and priorities of the Union's statistical information policy.
That assistance shall cover all statistical domains relevant to the
Union's statistical information policy.
The Committee should contribute to a close cooperation in the
programme planning process in order to improve the governance of
the European Statistical System and enhance the quality of
Community statistics.

3. Statistics – when facts count - Helsinki June 2017
The ESAC (European Statistical Advisory Committee) shall assist the
European Parliament, the Council and the Commission in ensuring
that user requirements and the costs borne by information providers
and producers are taken into account in coordinating the strategic
objectives and priorities of the Union's statistical information policy.
That assistance shall cover all statistical domains relevant to the
Union's statistical information policy.
The Committee should contribute to a close cooperation in the
programme planning process in order to improve the governance of
the European Statistical System and enhance the quality of
Community statistics.

4. Statistics – when facts count - Helsinki June 2017
Users
Who
are
they?
What
do they
want?
What
do they
need?
What
should
they
know?

5. Statistics – when facts count - Helsinki June 2017
What are users?

6. Statistics – when facts count - Helsinki June 2017
Classification of users: institutional users

7. Statistics – when facts count - Helsinki June 2017
Classification of users: non-institutional users
General
interest
Economic
growth
Journalists/media
Citizens
Students
Teachers
Specific
interest
Health
Decision makers
Policy analysts
Marketing analysts
Experts specific field
Research
interest
Innovation
enterprises
Scientists
Researchers
Consultants
Analysts

8. Statistics – when facts count - Helsinki June 2017
Type and frequency of use
Institutional
users
Non-
institutional
users
General Specific Research
(very)
Heavy
Light/
occasional
Not/
potential

9. Statistics – when facts count - Helsinki June 2017
What users want

10. Statistics – when facts count - Helsinki June 2017
What users want: success, scandals and confirmation

11. Statistics – when facts count - Helsinki June 2017

12. Statistics – when facts count - Helsinki June 2017
What users want
 Open data
 Microdata
 Metadata
 Maps
 Visualisations
 Statistics
 Indicators
 E-courses
 Information/knowledge
 Combination of sources
 Knowledge from research

13. Statistics – when facts count - Helsinki June 2017
What users need: high quality statistics
 Code of Practice
 Total Survey Error
 TQM
 Fit for purpose
• Accuracy
• Quality
• Information about today?
• Regional level
• Accessibility
• Understandability
• Indicators, monitors
• Policy assessment
TQM
Plan
Do
Check
Act

14. Statistics – when facts count - Helsinki June 2017
What users need

15. Statistics – when facts count - Helsinki June 2017
What users need
 Made easy?
• Nice visualisations
• Statistics is fun
• Gamification
 Information they need (content, level, form, time)
 Don’t underestimate users
 Teach them about
• Quality of statistics
• Strengths and weaknesses
• What statistics mean
• Provide background, interpretation?

16. Statistics – when facts count - Helsinki June 2017
Statistics for our civil societies
 Statistical “stamp” enough?
 Work on statistical literacy
 Able to assess fitness for purpose
 Context and interpretation
 Role of research
 Alt-facts?
Policy
making
and
evaluation
Theory
Litera-
ture
Data
(statis-
tics and
other)
Analy-
sis
Models
Publish
Dissem
-inate
Institutional,
environmental,
national
context

17. Statistics – when facts count - Helsinki June 2017
What about non-users or potential users?

18. Statistics – when facts count - Helsinki June 2017
i.stoop@scp.nl