Challenges in the
Dissemination of
Statistical Data:
The Statistical Institute
of Belize
Presenter: Diana Castillo
Date: June 6, 2013
Introduction
•The Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) is a statutory
body established in 2007
•National statistical agency
•Primary functions: to collect, compile, extract,
analyze and release official statistics on Belize
•Economic, demographic and social conditions
•Stakeholders: Government, international
organizations, other NGOs, researchers, general
public
Human Resources
•Total staff of about 35 persons, including
managers and administrative support staff
•Statistics produced by Economic Statistics and
Census & Surveys departments
•Statistics disseminated to the public by the
Data Dissemination department
Data Dissemination Department
•Data dissemination function has existed at SIB
since its establishment
•Has only recently (9 months) been formalized
into a full department of the Institute
•Staffed by:
1 manager
2 Assistant Statisticians II
1 Desktop Publisher
Functions of DD department
•Respond to requests for information from
stakeholders
•Issue releases to the media and the public in
keeping with Advance Release Calendar
•Prepare and/or format all releases
•Format SIB reports in preparation for printing
•Ensure the content on SIB’s website is current
Functions of DD department (cont.)
•Prepare promotional and informational items
for distribution to the public
•Facilitate access to microdata in keeping with
SIB’s Microdata Access Policy
•Promote a positive public image of the SIB
•Provide ongoing support to Economic Statistics
department in compilation of trade statistics
and consumer price index
Methods of Dissemination
•Documents posted to website
•Electronic release (via email) to media and
subscribers
•Major releases also printed in newspapers
•Documents distributed on CDs
•Major reports (e.g. Census 2010 Report)
printed by external printers
•Other public forums
Limitations
•Human resources:
Staff is small relative to the functions of the
department
Staff turnover, particularly in the key position of
Marketing & Communications Officer
Existing staff in need of training
•Financial resources: SIB’s limited budget does
not allow much for public relations
Challenges
•Timeliness: Difficulties in meeting stated
release dates on Advance Release Calendar
•Anticipating user needs: At times falling into
the trap of producing and releasing statistics
according to what has been done in the past
rather than according to evolving user needs.
•Outdated statistics: Some data not sufficiently
current to satisfy users’ needs
Challenges (cont.)
•Website not user-friendly: Current website is
problematic for both users and the SIB
•Building public confidence: Lack of public
awareness of the work done by SIB, public
perception that statistics are controlled by
government, and a general mistrust of SIB’s data
Addressing Our Challenges
•Timeliness:
Increased coordination with other SIB departments
to ensure that publication deadlines factor into their
internal deadlines
Creating a culture within the SIB that recognizes the
importance of data dissemination
Addressing Our Challenges (cont.)
•Anticipating user needs:
Has been slow to come about
Presently takes the form of providing feedback to
other SIB departments as to what users want
Promoting internally culture of customer service
Upcoming: Conduct a user satisfaction survey to
attempt to quantify level of satisfaction and identify
areas for improvement
Addressing Our Challenges (cont.)
•Website:
Final phases of completing a new SIB website
More user-friendly
To contain more and updated time series of all
major statistics
Allows for users to request data via the website
Next phase: include a facility by which users can
create customized tables from existing databases
Addressing Our Challenges (cont.)
•Building public confidence in SIB:
Ensure SIB has a greater public presence
Quarterly press releases and/or press conferences
on major economic statistics and other reports
Reaching out to decision-makers to build awareness
of data available from SIB
Public appearances by managers and subject-area
specialists
Addressing Our Challenges (cont.)
Include metadata on new website
Offer beginner-level statistics courses as a
service to other government departments
and in collaboration with University of Belize
Further develop and promote Microdata
Access Policy
Recognizing data dissemination as an
equally important function as production of
statistics
THANK YOU.....QUESTIONS?