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Principles and Practices for a Federal Statistical Agency Fifth Edition (2013) / Chapter Skim
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Executive Summary
Pages 1-4

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From page 1...
... In the United States, federal statistical agencies in cabinet departments and independent agencies are the governmental units whose principal function is to compile, analyze, and disseminate information for such statistical purposes as describing population characteristics and trends, planning and monitoring programs, and conducting research and evaluation. The work of these agencies is coordinated by the U.S.
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From page 2...
... An agency builds credibility with users when it widely disseminates its data on an equal basis to all. Also essential to building credibility is that an agency exhibit openness about its data sources and their limitations, be willing to understand and meet user needs, and provide full documentation of the processes used to produce and disseminate statistical products.
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From page 3...
... Protection from undue outside influences requires that a statistical agency have authority for professional decisions on its programs, including authority over the selection and promotion of staff, the processing, secure storage, and maintenance of data, and the timing and content of data releases, accompanying press releases, and documentation. The credibility that comes from independence is essential for users to maintain confidence in the accuracy and objectivity of a statistical agency's data and for data providers to be willing to cooperate with agency requests.
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Key Terms

  • data providers
  • federal statistical
  • statistical purposes
  • statistical agencies
  • data users

  • undue external
  • law enforcement
  • administrative records
  • disseminate statistical
  • statistical products

  • credible statistical
  • statistical information
  • agency requests
  • agency exhibit
  • information collected

  • acquire information
  • undue outside
  • information relate
  • disseminate information
  • public require

  • exhibit openness
  • principled operation
  • monitoring programs
  • including authority
  • suitable quality

  • economic unit
  • thirteen practices
  • external influence
  • maintain confidence
  • builds trust


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