Communication and
dissemination of indicators
Soong Sup Lee,
World Bank
Topics
• References
– UNECE
– IMF GDDS & SDDS
– World Bank practices
• Selected dimensions of data dissemination
– National vs. International statistics
– High frequency data requirements
• Relevant Issues
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Communication objectives
What is the message?
Defining the audience
Communication vehicles
Data presentations
Maintaining credibility
Communication & dissemination of
indicators
2
UNECE focuses on issues such as:
• communicating with the media
• managing customer relationships and
outreach
• gathering and analysing feedback
• statistical literacy
• managing the dissemination and
communication functions within a statistical
organization
Communication & dissemination of
indicators
3
UNECE Resources & Meetings
• Making Data Meaningful guides (2006 and 2009)
• Communicating with the Media: A guide for statistical
organisations (2004)
• A guide to the websites of national and international
statistical organizations (2001)
• Best practices in designing websites for dissemination of
statistics (2001)
• Recommendations on formats relevant to the downloading
of statistical data from the Internet (2001)
• Reports from work sessions on communication and
dissemination since 2000
Communication & dissemination of
indicators
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IMF General Data Dissemination
System
– The GDDS provides recommendations on good
practice, based on current practices of agencies
compiling and disseminating data in countries.
– For users, the GDDS can provide a valuable body
of information regarding the state of statistical
development and plans for improvement of
participating countries.
– The detailed metadata also provide users with a
tool to better assess the usefulness of the data for
their own particular purposes.
Communication & dissemination of
indicators
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IMF Special Data Dissemination
Standard
– The SDDS was established by the IMF to guide
members in the provision of their economic and
financial data to the public.
– The data dimension lists 18 data categories that
provide coverage for the four sectors of the
economy, and it prescribes the periodicity and
timeliness with which data for these categories
are to be disseminated.
Communication & dissemination of
indicators
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Selected dimensions to address
• National versus international statistics
• Special requirements for high frequency
indicators
Communication & dissemination of
indicators
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National versus International
• National statistics
– prioritize the information needs of a country’s
government, researchers, businesses and citizens
– prioritize temporal comparability
• International statistics
– typically look at global and regional trends
– prioritize cross country comparability
Communication & dissemination of
indicators
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High frequency indicators
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Higher speed of publishing
Shorter shelf life
More volatile
More need for seasonal adjustments or
normalization
– e.g. weekly jobless claims
Communication & dissemination of
indicators
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What are the relevant issues?
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Communication objectives
What is the message?
Defining the audience
Communication vehicles
Distribution
Maintaining credibility
Communication & dissemination of
indicators
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Objectives of communication
• Meet mandated information requirements
which are:
– Timely
– Accurate
– Objective
– Transparent
Communication & dissemination of
indicators
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What is the message?
• Convey information which is easily understood
• UNECE’s Making Data Meaningful Part 1: A
guide to writing stories about numbers
– Poor: “The largest contributor to the monthly
increase in the CPI was a 0.5% rise in the
transportation index.”
– Better: “Higher auto insurance premiums and air
fares helped push up consumer prices this
month.”
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indicators
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Audience
• Who are they?
• How do they use data?
• What indicators are needed?
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indicators
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Determining user requirements
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Surveys, focus groups
Web traffic measurement
Scan media coverage
Scan citations if feasible
Help Desk
Feedback
Communication & dissemination of
indicators
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Communication vehicles
• Direct
– Websites
– Publications
– Press conferences
• Indirect
– Media coverage
– Research
– Data distributors
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indicators
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Data presentations
• Different formats and tools for different
audiences
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Publications
Press releases
In-depth reports
Blogs
Charts and maps
Self service
• data query systems
• web search
Communication & dissemination of
indicators
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New at the World Bank
• Google Public data
– US Census Bureau, US Bureau of Labor Statistics,
World Bank World Development Indicators
• Principle Global Indicators
– Data to facilitate monitoring of economic and
financial developments for G-20 economies
– BIS, EC, Eurostat, IMF, OECD, UN, WB
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indicators
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Establishing and maintaining credibility
• Professional practices
– UN Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics
• Predictable and reliable practices
– Data release calendar
– Transparent practices (handling data errors)
– Web site maintenance
– User support
Communication & dissemination of
indicators
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