Homogenous categories of the statistical standards
Further Analysis of KSH paper
Classification of statistical standards
The standards can be classified according to the document presented in Rome (see: Annex 1.).
The basic principle of the classification (scope of classification) is that those items are
elements of the business architecture
At the statistical system we can differentiate four strata of the operation as the above level of
the classification.
100: the statistical domain
200: the IT system of statistics
300: the statistical organization
400: the statistical research and training
The second aspect of the classification is that each stratum can have standards for products,
processes and other type of standards (source: The ABC’s of standards activities, Maureen A.
Breitenberg).. Therefore the second digit of the code is:
0 for the level of stratum
1 for the product type of standards,
2 for the processes type of standards
3 for the other type of standards
Figure 1.
Standards of statistics
Standards
for the
operating
strata of a
statistical
organization
Product
standards
Process
standards
Standards for the strata of
the statistical domain
Product
standards
Process
standards
Standards for
the strata of IT support
Product
standards
The third digit of the code is a serial number.
Process
standards
Standards
for research
and training
of statistics
and
supporting
activities
Product
standards
Process
standards
On the base of the above categorization we can make the coding of the topics of statistical
standards:
100 Standards of the statistical domain
111: Standards of the statistical products (previously A)
121: Standards of the statistical methods (previously B)
122: Standards of the statistical production process (previously C)
200: the IT system of statistics
211: Standard application systems, software (previously E)
221: Standards for IT developments (previously D)
222: Standards for the operation and management of IT systems (previously F)
300 Standards of the statistical organization (previously G)
400 Standards of the research and training (previously H)
The “100 Standards of the statistical domain” class contains all standards where it is said
“statistical standard, that is related the main activity of a statistical organisation.
The class of “111 Standards of the statistical products“ includes all standards that describe
the result of the statistical process (like statistical units, registers, measures, classifications,
metadata, publications, statistical databases, product quality, etc.)
“Statistical products are generally, information dissemination products that are
published or otherwise made available for public use that describe, estimate,
forecast, or analyse the characteristics of groups, customarily without identifying
the persons, organisations, or individual data observations that comprise such
groups”. (source: OECD Glossary of statistical terms)
The class of “121 Standards of the statistical methods” includes the standards that describe
the elements of statistical processing, the methods of solving a problem, the standard
procedure, method to a step of statistical processing (like survey design, questionnaire design,
data collection, sampling, response, non-response coding, describing editing rules, estimation,
process quality, etc.).
The standards on statistical methods are ‘structured approaches, to solve a problem.
Methodology is a set of research methods and techniques applied to a particular
field of study. (source: OECD Glossary of statistical terms).
The class “122: Standards of the statistical production process” includes the standards that
describe the standards of the statistical processing as a production flow, using the standards of
the statistical methods to produce the statistical product (GSBPM, metadata for driving
process steps, workflow standards, responsibilities of steps, etc.).
The standards on statistical production processes include the standards for
manipulating or classifying statistical data into various categories with the object of
producing statistics. In SDMX, "Statistical Processing" refers to a description of the
data compilation and other statistical procedures to deal with intermediate data and
statistical outputs (e.g., data adjustments and transformation, and statistical
analysis)… (source: OECD Glossary of statistical terms)
The class of “200: the IT system of statistics“ sums up the IT standards supporting and
realizing the statistical production.
The class of “211: Standard application systems, software” includes all standard IT system
that are applied in the different steps of statistical processing flow. The extension of using the
software can be different. The usage is standard, if the applications are independent from e.g.
any subject matter domains or it can be use an important part of the subject matter domains.
The IT systems can be either target application systems developing for statistical purposes to
a given statistical procedure or we can use general commercial, software for carrying out a
processing step.
This item includes standards on the products of IT developments, which are application
systems, applications, and modules for the statistical business process model in order to
conduct it
The class of “221: Standards for IT development” include the standards those using is
expected at the software or other IT development in the statistical system (project
management, designing, programming, testing, documentation tools, etc.).
This item includes standards on the process of IT developments, which are application
systems, applications, and modules for the statistical business process model in order to
conduct it.
The class of “222: Standards for the operation and management of IT systems” includes the
standards that are applied for working of the IT environment (like documenting, maintaining
IT infrastructure, security policies, etc.)
This item includes the standards on the operation and management pf IT systems e.g.:
responsibility, security, issues, etc
The class of “300: Standards of the statistical organization, administration includes the
standards for operating a statistical organisation, implying the planning, financial activity,
human resource, etc.
This item includes standards on statistical administration, which are support activities
for the statistical business process e.g. planning of resources, financial activity,
templates, etc.
The class of “400: The standards of the statistical research and training include the standards
of the activity of statistical education and R&D.
This item includes the standards on the statistical research and training, which support
creating new results in the statistical science and practice, and the better understanding
and the knowledge of the above mentioned classification items.
Other opinions about the topic
The above mentioned standards can link to the terms, documents of other authors. Only two
examples:
The items of the classification can be matched to the concept statistical standard of OECD.
Statistical Standard
Statistical standard provides a comprehensive set of guidelines for surveys and administrative
sources collecting information on a particular topic.
Components of a standard include
1. definition(s)
A
2. statistical units
A
3. classification(s)
A
4. coding process(es)
B, C
5. questionnaire module(s)
A, B
6. output categories
A
Source: OECD Glossary of statistical terms
The component of the standard can be assigned to the elements of proposed classification. But
it contains only the element of the statistical domain.
In contrary that, if we can see Bo Sundgren description about the statistical data and metadata
model, we can see a much more extension of the statistical system, because he regard the part
of the statistical system for example the organization, the IT environment and the research as
well.
Figure 2: Overview of data/metadata resources and flows in a statistical organisation.
DOCUMENTED
KNOWLEDGE
(methods and
theories)
PROCESS DATA &
USER
EXPERIENCES
USE PROCESS
R&D PROCESS
DESCRIPTIONS OF
STATISTICAL
OUTPUTS
STATISTICAL
OUTPUTS
(microdata and
macrodata)
DOCUMENTED
EXPERIENCES
PRODUCTION
SYSTEM
DOCUMENTATION
PRODUCTION
PROCESS
PRODUCTION
SYSTEM
PROCESS DATA &
PRODUCER
EXPERIENCES
EVALUATION
PROCESS
OBSERVED
REALITY
EVALUATION
REPORTS
DESIGN PROCESS
Legend
DESCRIPTIONS OF
SHARABLE
COMPONENTS
SHARABLE
COMPONENTS
PROCESS
RESOURCE
METADATA
input/output
describes
INFORMATION
RESOURCES:
concepts, data,
processes,
rules & tools
ORGANISATIONAL
AND TECHNICAL
RESOURCES:
personnel,
hardware/software
part of
source of
Source:
Bo
Sundgren:
Developing
and
implementing
statistical
http://www.epros.ed.ac.uk/metanet/deliverables/D6/IST-1999-29093-D6.doc
metadata
systems,
Why IT tools are standards?
First of all, we have to define what we mean under the expression IT tool, application system,
application, and module.
IT Tool
(1) A program used for software development or system maintenance. Virtually any program
or utility that helps programmers or users develop applications or maintain their computers
can be called a tool. Examples of programming tools are compilers, interpreters, assemblers,
4GLs, editors, debuggers and application generators. See toolkit.
(2) A program that helps the user analyze or search for data. For example, query and report
programs are often called query tools and report tools.
(3) An on-screen function in a graphics program; for example, a line draw, circle draw or
brush tool.
(4) A software control panel for setting user preferences. See tools menu.
(5) Sometimes, people will call any software a "tool." For example, the phrase, "there aren't
any tools to do that job" means that no application is available to perform the required
processing.
Source: http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia_term/0,2542,t=tool&i=52979,00.asp
Application system:
A group of related applications programs designed to perform a specific function.
Source: http://www.answers.com/topic/application-system#ixzz1QZoVGCLa
Application:
(1) The act of applying.
(2) Something applied, such as a cosmetic or curative agent.
(3) The act of putting something to a special use or purpose: an application of a new method.
(4) A specific use to which something is put: the application of science to industry.
(5) The capacity of being usable; relevance: Geometry has practical application in aviation
and navigation.
(6) Close attention; diligence: shows application to her work.
(7) A request, as for assistance, employment, or admission to a school.
(8) The form or document on which such a request is made.
(9) Computer Science. A computer program with a user interface.
Source: http://www.answers.com/topic/application#ixzz1QZohONyh
Module:
(1) A standard or unit of measurement.
(2) Architecture. The dimensions of a structural component, such as the base of a column,
used as a unit of measurement or standard for determining the proportions of the rest of the
construction.
(3) A standardized, often interchangeable component of a system or construction that is
designed for easy assembly or flexible use: a sofa consisting of two end modules.
(4) Electronics. A self-contained assembly of electronic components and circuitry, such as a
stage in a computer, that is installed as a unit.
(6) Computer Science. A portion of a program that carries out a specific function and may
be used alone or combined with other modules of the same program.
(7) A self-contained unit of a spacecraft that performs a specific task or class of tasks in
support of the major function of the craft.
(8) A unit of education or instruction with a relatively low student-to-teacher ratio, in which
a single topic or a small section of a broad topic is studied for a given period of time.
(9) Mathematics. A system with scalars coming from a ring.
Source: http://www.answers.com/topic/module#ixzz1QZooLTjp
According to the definitions above, those concepts (IT tool and application system and the
parts of the application system) are synonyms.
The reason why we can call the IT tools standard is the following:
There are application systems, applications or modules, which are for general purpose. It
means that those applications are independent from e.g. any subject matter domains. Those
are also developed for a certain function but not necessarily for a statistical one. When a NSI
wants to decide what IT tool should support a certain methodology/method, the most likely
tools are taken into consideration, which can fulfil the requirements of the
methodology/method.
As a conclusion it can be highlighted, that an IT tools exists independent from any
methodology/methods. They have functions, which can be matched to a statistical or any kind
of methodology/method.
Annex 1: Standards of statistics
Topics and examples
I. Main topics
A. – 111 Standards of statistical products
B. - 121 Standards of statistical methods (theoretical and practical methods)
C. - 222 Standards of statistical production process
D. – 221 Standards for IT developments
E. – 211 Standard application systems, software
F. – 222 Standards for the operation and management of IT systems
G. – 300 Standars of statistical administration
H. – 400 Standards of statistical training
II. Content of main topics (and some example)
A. – 111 Standards of statistical products
Description: This item includes the standards on “statistical products, which are
generally, information dissemination products that are published or otherwise made
available for public use that describe, estimate, forecast, or analyse the
characteristics of groups, customarily without identifying the persons,
organisations, or individual data observations that comprise such groups”. (source:
OECD Glossary of statistical terms)
1) Terms of statistics
i. OECD Glossary of statistical terms,
ii. SDMX Metadata Common Vocabulary,
iii. SDMX Cross-domain concepts
2) Classifications, nomenclatures
i. SDMX Standard Code lists
ii. EU regulation on NACE Rev 2
3) Statistical units, registers
4) Metadata descriptions for statistical data included description of methodology of
statistics
i. 1/2009. (SK 1.) Statistical standard on the system of domains and on
the description of domain’s methodology
5) Expectations on statistical publications
6) Expectations on accessibility, processibility of statistical data on internet, in research
room, etc.
7) Product quality
i. VI/2008. (SK 2.) HCSO prescription for the calculation of product
quality indicators
8) Expectations on saving, archiving statistical data
9) Prescriptions, regulations on interfaces to different systems
B. – 121 Standards of statistical methods (theoretical and practical methods)
Description: This item includes the standards on statistical methods, which are
‘structured approaches, to solve a problem. Methodology is a set of research
methods and techniques applied to a particular field of study. (source: OECD
Glossary of statistical terms)
1) Survey design
i. I/2010. HCSO prescription for design of statistical survey
2) Questionnaire design
3) Methods and types of data collection
4) Methods of sampling
5) Response -non-response control
6) Measuring response burden
7) Methods and description of data editing
i. Methods of imputation
8) Methods of index calculation
9) Methods of weighting
10) Methods of statistical analysis
i. XXXII/2005. (SK 2.) HCSO prescription for the practice of seasonal
adjustment
11) Disclosure control methods
12) Evaluation of result of data collection, non-response,
13) Process qualitiy
i. 1/2010. Statistical standard on the quality directives for certain phases
of statistical production flow in HCSO
14) Standards of documentation
i. XXI/2005. (SK 2.) HCSO prescription for the aspects of methodological
documents
C. - 122 Standards of statistical production process
Description: This item includes the standards on statistical production processes
‘The processes are for manipulating or classifying statistical data into various
categories with the object of producing statistics. In SDMX, "Statistical Processing"
refers to a description of the data compilation and other statistical procedures to
deal with intermediate data and statistical outputs (e.g., data adjustments and
transformation, and statistical analysis)...’. (source: OECD Glossary of statistical
terms)
1) Phases and sub processes of statistical production process, GSBPM
2) Common standards for the different steps, blocks of statistical production process,
e.g.:
i. Metadata for describing and driving the step,
ii. Information for quality indicators,
iii. Support statisticians in the step,
iv. Logging the step, etc.
3) Standard for given types of steps (data collection, data editing, etc.)
4) Relations among phases, sub processes, steps
5) Workflow standards
i. Standards for managing the phases, steps
ii. Standards for roles, logistic, organisation
D. – 221 Standards for IT developments
Description: This item includes standards on the process of IT developments, which
are application systems, applications, modules for the statistical business process
model in order to conduct it.
1) Tools for project management, e.g.:
i. PRINCE2 is a de facto standard developed and used extensively by the
UK government and is widely recognised and used in the private
sector, both in the UK and internationally. It embodies established and
proven best practice in project management. http://www.princeofficialsite.com/
2) Tools for systems design and modeling, e.g.:
i. The Unified Modeling Language™ - UML –
is OMG's most-used specification, and the way the world models not
only application structure, behavior, and architecture, but also business
process and data structure. UML, along with the Meta Object Facility
(MOF™), also provides a key foundation for OMG's Model-Driven
Architecture®, which unifies every step of development and integration
from business modelling, through architectural and application
modelling, to development, deployment, maintenance, and evolution.
http://uml.org/
3) Software palette for the development of common application software (open source
products, Oracle, SAS, Java, stb.,) Environments (operation systems, browsers) in that
the application system have to work.
4) Programming, naming conventions, data modeling standards,
5) Standards for transmission data metadata:
i. Extensible Markup Language (XML) is a simple, very flexible text
format derived from SGML (ISO 8879). Originally designed to meet
the challenges of large-scale electronic publishing, XML is also playing
an increasingly important role in the exchange of a wide variety of data
on the Web and elsewhere. www.w3.org/XML
ii. XBRL is a language for the electronic communication of business and
financial data which is revolutionising business reporting around the
world. It provides major benefits in the preparation, analysis and
communication of business information. It offers cost savings, greater
efficiency and improved accuracy and reliability to all those involved
in supplying or using financial data. It is an open standard, free of
licence fees http://www.xbrl.org/Home/
E. 211
Standard application systems, software:
Description: This item includes standards on the products of IT developments,
which are application systems, applications, modules for the statistical business
process model in order to conduct it.
1) Software developed for a given statistical block:
i. BLAISE,
ii. Argus,
iii. Demetra, etc.
2) Commercial, canned software:
i. SAS,
ii. SPSS,
iii. Interactive Reporting,
iv. Excel, etc.
F. – 222 Standards for the operation and management of IT systems:
Description: This item includes the standards on the operation and management pf
IT systems e.g.: responsibility, security, issues,etc.
1) Regulations for IT security, protection, documentation
i. ITIL®(Information Technology Infrastructure Library) is the most
widely accepted approach to IT service management in the world. ITIL
provides a cohesive set of best practice, drawn from the public and
private sectors internationally. http://www.itil-officialsite.com/
G. – 300 Standards of statistical organisation, administration
Description: This item includes standards on statistical administration, which are
support activities for the statistical business process e.g. planning of resources,
financial activity, templates,etc.
1) Oracle Financial Analyser
2) Book-keeping applications, etc
H. – 400 Standards of statistical research and training
Description: This item includes the standards on the statistical training, which
support the better understanding and the knowledge of the above mentioned
classification items.
1) ESTP courses
2) Former TES courses, etc.