CREDIBILITY OF DATA: USER PERSPECTIVES IN THE LIGHT OF GLOBAL TRENDS

Anila Dias Bandaranaike

Prepared for the CEPA Open Forum 29 April 2014

Why do statistics matter? In simple terms, they are the evidence on which policies are built. They help to identify needs, set goals and monitor progress. Without good statistics, the development process is blind - policymakers cannot learn from their mistakes and the public cannot hold them accountable.
World Bank, World Development Indicators 2000

USERS NEED CREDIBLE DATA FOR DECISION MAKING

To assess current conditions accurately To enable comparative analysis To enable better management of resources To assist in policy formulation To assess impact of policies

WHAT QUALITIES GIVE DATA CREDIBILITY?

Relevance Methodological soundness Reliability, accuracy, replicability Integrity and transparency Predictability of frequency and timeliness Accessibility

International Standards provided by UNSD, IMF-GDDS and SDDS

DUAL ROLES OF USERS

Citizens, public and private sector institutions and the household sector have rights as users of data Citizens, public and private sector institutions and the household sector also have responsibilities as users of data.

USERS RIGHTS
Transparency of methodology Independence of data compilation Representativeness of sample/source Reliability and replicability of sample/source Procedures to minimise avoidable lags Predictable system of dissemination

USERS RESPONSIBILITIES
think and know about best practices compare available data with best practices insist on access to available data impose checks and balances on data released lobby for independent data-providing institutions lobby for a time schedule for data dissemination lobby for data upgrades based on needs lobby for access to methodology recognise limitations to methodology in light of change provide regular feedback to data disseminators

CURRENT GLOBAL TRENDS

The Information Technology revolution has led to Information overkill and data fatigue Limited options to check sources of data Form over substance in presentation of data Greater opportunity to hide the real picture Less thoroughness among some researchers Greater opportunity to gloss over methodology Limited opportunity to ensure accountability
Great need for more awareness among data users

EXAMPLES OF CURRENT TRENDS

Trite, multi pronged TV World News Websites, blogs, facebook posts, ad nauseum Glossy, suggestive charts, graphs, pictures Complex pictorials and charts which hide trends Recent articles question some published research Unspecified reliability in reported data Blogs, posts cannot be held accountable Great need for more awareness among data users

CURRENT STATUS
Methodology not updated GDDS for Sri Lanka last updated June 2007 Transparency - poor Independence of data compilation not clear Representativeness of sample/source - ? Reliability, replicability of sample/source -? Procedures to minimise avoidable lags - poor Predictable system of dissemination not always

WAY FORWARD
Raise users awareness on data issues User groups work together on data needs User groups constructively critique status quo Create space for dialogue between producers and users Build producers confidence to safeguard their independence Lobby for accountability

THANK YOU