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