Economic theory as it applies to official statistics

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Nilsen, Kirsti

Affiliations: Faculty of Information and Media Studies, University of Western Ontario, 641 Millwood Road, Toronto, Ontario M4S 1L1, Canada. Tel.: +1 416 483 6499; E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: This article focuses on the economic theory regarding public sector information and, in particular, the arguments for free vs. priced distribution of official statistics. It is based on a review of the literature conducted under contract to Statistics Canada in 2007, which is available online [1]. That review examined economics literature and the economic arguments put forward in government studies and policy documents, with a particular emphasis on the literature on the economics of information.

Journal: Statistical Journal of the IAOS, vol. 24, no. 3-4, pp. 131-146, 2007