Statistical Journal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe - Volume 13, issue 2

Authors: Fellegi, Ivan P.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The objective of national statistical systems is to provide relevant, comprehensive, accurate and objective (politically untainted) statistical information. The end purposes to be supported by the information are multiple, but include prominently the monitoring of the evolution of the country's economic and social conditions, the planning and evaluation of government and private sector programs and investments, policy debates and advocacy, and the creation and maintenance of an informed public. The presentation will discuss ten broad criteria for the assessment of national statistical systems. They are: 1. The broad framework, including the legal one as well as the rank and …standing of a Chief Statistician; 2. Professional core values; 3. Non-political objectivity and the means used to assure this; 4. Systems and approaches used to assess and meet federal priorities; 5. Systems and approaches used to assess and meet state (provincial) priorities; 6. Systems and approaches to assess and meet other users' priorities; 7. Mechanisms for the coordination of the statistical system; 8. Balancing priorities against available resources; 9. Serving the needs of different client groups; 10. Generating a supportive environment. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/SJU-1996-13201

Citation: Statistical Journal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 89-117, 1996

Authors: Nordbotten, Svein

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Editing and imputation of statistical data are possible because we take advantage of some prior knowledge about the type of statistical objects we investigate. The processes of editing and imputation are considered expensive parts of survey and census costs. This presentation discusses the use of neural network methodology to improve the efficiency of these processes. Two applications are discussed as demonstrations of the approach.

Keywords: Data editing, data imputation, neural networks

DOI: 10.3233/SJU-1996-13202

Citation: Statistical Journal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 119-129, 1996

Authors: Smith, Wayne

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The general public, as citizens, respondents and clients, are an important audience for national statistical agencies. The news media are a powerful tool for reaching this audience. However, in liberal-democratic societies, journalists function as gatekeepers between the public and statistical agencies. Only those messages that meet journalistic critieria of newsworthiness will be transmitted to the public. The media cannot be commanded and are resistant to overt collaboration and persuasion. They must be seduced. At Statistics Canada, The Daily is our principal tool for communicating with the news media. Over the last two years, Statistics Canada has re-oriented The …Daily to make it more effective at communicating to, and through, the news media. We have worked on both the form and content of our releases. Content has been improved to bring out, through analysis, the significance and relevance of the new data. The form of releases has been adapted to better meet the needs of journalists through application of a journalistic style in our own text. The response from the news media has been overwhelmingly positive. The paper discusses the motivations and the mechanisms behind this process. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/SJU-1996-13203

Citation: Statistical Journal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 131-160, 1996

Authors: Davidoff, Lawrence

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Following the Local Government Act 1992, the Audit Commission of Great Britain proposed nine “Citizen's Charter” police performance indicators. Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary constructed eleven quantitative indicators. The Association of Chief Police Officers produced five qualitative indicators. These 25 indicators were issued to police forces in a Home Office Circular Letter grouped under the service areas: call management; crime management; traffic management; public order management; community policing management; resources/costs. Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary collated the indicators and provided summaries to police forces. The Audit Commission collated and published their Citizens' Charter indicators. Certain indicators were discussed in Her …Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary's Annual Report. This paper deals with some problems of collection and interpretation of police performance indicators. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/SJU-1996-13204

Citation: Statistical Journal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 161-168, 1996

Authors: Griffin, Tom | Scott, Wolf

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Social and demographic statistics are becoming more important in countries in transition, but they receive less assistance and support than economic statistics. The ECE/UNDP project described here is intended to redress the balance. It is executed by the Economic Commission for Europe and funded mainly by the United Nations Development programme, with some European Union funding via EUROSTAT and with substantial expert assistance from a number of ECE member countries. INFOSTAT (Bratislava) and the CIS Statistical Committee are associated agencies.

DOI: 10.3233/SJU-1996-13205

Citation: Statistical Journal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 169-175, 1996

Article Type: Research Article

DOI: 10.3233/SJU-1996-13206

Citation: Statistical Journal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 177-182, 1996

Authors: Mikkelsen, Lene

Article Type: Research Article

DOI: 10.3233/SJU-1996-13207

Citation: Statistical Journal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 183-187, 1996

Article Type: Other

DOI: 10.3233/SJU-1996-13208

Citation: Statistical Journal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 189-192, 1996