Skip to main content

Currently Skimming:

PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES FOR A FEDERAL STATISTICAL AGENCY
Pages 1-8

The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.


From page 1...
... Principles and Practices for a Federal Statistical Agency Definition of a Federal Statistical Agency Principles of a Federal Statistical Agency Relevance to Policy Issues Credibility Among Data Users Trust Among Data Providers and Data Subjects Practices of a Federal Statistical Agency A Clearly Defined and Well-Accepted Mission A Strong Measure of Independence Fair Treatment of Data Providers Cooperation with Data Users Openness About the Data Provided Commitment to Quality and Professional Standards Wide Dissemination of Data An Active Research Program Professional Advancement of Staff Caution in Conducting Nonstatistical Activities Coordination with Other Statistical Agencies Establishment of a Federal Statistical Agency
From page 2...
... PRINCIPLES FOR A FEDERAL STATISTICAL AGENCY Relevance to Policy Issues A federal statistical agency must be in a position to provide information relevant to issues of public policy. An agency's priorities are affected by issues and requirements of public policy and federal programs.
From page 3...
... With these two prerequisites, effective operation involves a wide range of practices: fair treatment of data providers, cooperation with data users, openness about the data provided, commitment to quality and professional standards, wide dissemination of data, an active research program, professional advancement of staff, caution in conducting nonstatistical activities, and coordination with other statistical agencies.
From page 4...
... · recognition by policy officials outside the statistical agency of its authority to release statistical information without prior clearance. · authority for statistical agency heads and qualified staff to speak on the agency's statistical program before Congress, with congressional staff, and before public bodies.
From page 5...
... · seeking the advice of respondents, as well as others, in planning the scope and content of its program, designing its data collection procedures, and determining its data products. Cooperation with Data Users A statistics agency should consult with a broad spectrum of users of its data in order to make its products more useful.
From page 6...
... · follow accepted standards in reports and other releases of data on definitions, documentation, descriptions of data collection methodology, measures of uncertainty, and discussions of possible sources of error. Wide Dissemination of Data · Dissemination of data and information (basic series, analytic reports, press releases, public-use tapes)
From page 7...
... When possible and appropriate, federal statistical agencies should cooperate with state and local statistical agencies in the provision of data for subnational areas. Federal statistical agencies should cooperate also with foreign and international statistical agencies to exchange information, on both data and methods, and to develop common classifications and procedures to promote international comparability of information.
From page 8...
... · There is a need to protect the confidentiality of responses. · There is an opportunity to achieve greater efficiency or higher quality through a consolidated and more highly professional activity.


This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More information on Chapter Skim is available.