Data quality

The request was partially successful.

Dear Office for National Statistics,

Please provide me with copies of your current policies in the following areas: (1) data quality, (2) ensuring that statistics are accurate, (3) avoiding bias in statistical information (4) ensuring statistics are communicated clearly.

Thank you,

Mr Cross

system@share.ons.gov.uk,

Workflow Notification

──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

Thank you for your Freedom of Information request.

 

We can confirm that your request has been received and is being dealt
with. We will aim to respond to your request as soon as possible, and no
later than 20 working days from when we received your request. Should we
experience any delays with processing your request by this deadline, we
will keep you informed.

 

If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact us at
[1][ONS request email].

 

In the meantime, please take a look at our previously published FOI
requests via the following link:
[2]https://www.ons.gov.uk/aboutus/transpare....

 

If you find the information that you are looking for on our website,
please get back in touch with us to close your request.

 

Yours Faithfully

 

The Freedom of Information Team

Office for National Statistics

 

──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[ONS request email]
2. https://www.ons.gov.uk/aboutus/transpare...

FOI Team, Office for National Statistics

Our Reference: FOI/2022/4218

 

Dear Mr Cross,

 

Thank you for your email requesting data pertaining to Policies on data
quality, statistical accuracy, avoiding bias, and clear communication.

 

I am writing to confirm that the Office for National Statistics has now
completed its search for the information which you requested and the
response can be found here:

[1]https://www.ons.gov.uk/aboutus/transpare...

You have the right to have this response to your Freedom of Information
request reviewed internally by an internal review process and, if you
remain unhappy with the decision, by the Information Commissioner. If you
would like to have the decision reviewed please email the Freedom of
Information Team at ‘[ONS request email]’ or write to The FoI Team, Office
for National Statistics, Segensworth Road, Titchfield PO15 5RR, and mark
your correspondence "Internal Review".

If you have any queries about this email, please contact the Freedom of
Information Team ('[ONS request email]').

Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future
communications.

 

The Freedom of Information Team

Office for National Statistics

 

For information on Coronavirus, please visit [2]ONS.gov.uk/coronavirus

 

References

Visible links
1. https://www.ons.gov.uk/aboutus/transpare...
2. http://ons.gov.uk/coronavirus

Mr Cross left an annotation ()

The text of the response was as follows:

"We said
​Thank you for your request.

Information relating to statistical quality is publicly available on the Analysis Function website.

Information on accuracy, bias and communicating statistics can be found here alongside a wealth of other information. The website can be easily searched and browsed for required information.

Some particular items to draw your attention to are:

The overall guidance on Quality in Statistics, which offers practical advice on how to design processes that are efficient, transparent and reduce the risk of mistakes when producing statistics. It covers the dimensions for measuring the quality of statistical outputs.

The GSS Quality Strategy, which sets out best practice to improve the quality of our statistics and manage the processes surrounding their production and is designed to ensure that we comply with the quality requirements of the Code of Practice for Statistics.

The Code of Practice is based on three pillars: Trustworthiness, Quality and Value. Each pillar contains principles that producers of statistics should commit to. The document also contains guidance, resources and links to case studies. The Code covers three areas of practice - collaboration, coherence and transparency and cuts across the three pillars. The Office for Statistics Regulation reviews compliance with the Code.

The ONS Statistical Quality Improvement Strategy, which lays the quality objectives, as well as how to implement those, to improve quality across the ONS in the production of statistics and analysis that serve the public good.

The Communicating quality, uncertainty and change guidance, which sets out principles on how to communicate information about quality, uncertainty and change to users.

As well as the comprehensive guidance available, further support for statistical producers can be identified from the GSS methodology support page.

For more on the quality of data either not being used for statistical purposes, or data that is pre-analysis, the Government Data Quality Framework sets out the importance of understanding whether data is fit for purpose, and the need to tackle the root causes of poor quality."

Dear Office for National Statistics,

Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information reviews.

I am writing to request an internal review of the Office for National Statistics' handling of my FOI request 'Data quality'.

While I am grateful for the information already provided, I would ask the internal reviewer to consider whether there is any other information falling into the scope of my request that was not disclosed for example policies issued to staff but not published online.

A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/d...

Yours faithfully,

Mr Cross

Dear FOI Team,

Please can you update me on the internal review?

Yours sincerely,

Mr Cross

FOI Team, Office for National Statistics

Dear Mr Cross,

Please accept our apologies for the delay in responding to your internal review request. We are currently working on the review and will get back to you as soon as possible with a response.

Kind Regards
FOI Team

-----Original Message-----
From: Mr Cross <[FOI #867390 email]>
Sent: 05 October 2022 22:15
To: FOI Team <[email address]>
Subject: Re: Final response: FOI/2022/4218

[You don't often get email from [FOI #867390 email]. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentific... ]

Caution: This email originated from outside of the organisation. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognise the sender and know the content is safe.

Dear FOI Team,

Please can you update me on the internal review?

Yours sincerely,

Mr Cross

-----Original Message-----

Our Reference: FOI/2022/4218

Dear Mr Cross,

Thank you for your email requesting data pertaining to Policies on data

quality, statistical accuracy, avoiding bias, and clear communication.

I am writing to confirm that the Office for National Statistics has now

completed its search for the information which you requested and the

response can be found here:

[1]https://www.ons.gov.uk/aboutus/transpare...

You have the right to have this response to your Freedom of Information

request reviewed internally by an internal review process and, if you

remain unhappy with the decision, by the Information Commissioner. If you

would like to have the decision reviewed please email the Freedom of

Information Team at '[ONS request email]' or write to The FoI Team, Office

for National Statistics, Segensworth Road, Titchfield PO15 5RR, and mark

your correspondence "Internal Review".

If you have any queries about this email, please contact the Freedom of

Information Team ('[ONS request email]').

Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future

communications.

The Freedom of Information Team

Office for National Statistics

For information on Coronavirus, please visit [2]ONS.gov.uk/coronavirus

References

Visible links

1. https://www.ons.gov.uk/aboutus/transpare...

2. http://ons.gov.uk/coronavirus

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:

[FOI #867390 email]

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:

https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlo...

For more detailed guidance on safely disclosing information, read the latest advice from the ICO:

https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlo...

https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlo...

Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will be delayed.

If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

hide quoted sections

FOI Team, Office for National Statistics

Dear Mr Cross,

Thank you for your email.

We are looking into this for you and will have response with you in due course.

Kind regards,
Lois
 
The Freedom of Information Team | UK Statistics Authority | Awdurdod Ystadegau'r Deyrnas Unedig
@UKStatsAuth | [email address] | http://www.statisticsauthority.gov.uk

-----Original Message-----
From: Mr Cross <[FOI #867390 email]>
Sent: 05 October 2022 22:15
To: FOI Team <[email address]>
Subject: Re: Final response: FOI/2022/4218

[You don't often get email from [FOI #867390 email]. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentific... ]

Caution: This email originated from outside of the organisation. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognise the sender and know the content is safe.

Dear FOI Team,

Please can you update me on the internal review?

Yours sincerely,

Mr Cross

-----Original Message-----

Our Reference: FOI/2022/4218

Dear Mr Cross,

Thank you for your email requesting data pertaining to Policies on data

quality, statistical accuracy, avoiding bias, and clear communication.

I am writing to confirm that the Office for National Statistics has now

completed its search for the information which you requested and the

response can be found here:

[1]https://www.ons.gov.uk/aboutus/transpare...

You have the right to have this response to your Freedom of Information

request reviewed internally by an internal review process and, if you

remain unhappy with the decision, by the Information Commissioner. If you

would like to have the decision reviewed please email the Freedom of

Information Team at '[ONS request email]' or write to The FoI Team, Office

for National Statistics, Segensworth Road, Titchfield PO15 5RR, and mark

your correspondence "Internal Review".

If you have any queries about this email, please contact the Freedom of

Information Team ('[ONS request email]').

Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future

communications.

The Freedom of Information Team

Office for National Statistics

For information on Coronavirus, please visit [2]ONS.gov.uk/coronavirus

References

Visible links

1. https://www.ons.gov.uk/aboutus/transpare...

2. http://ons.gov.uk/coronavirus

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:

[FOI #867390 email]

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:

https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlo...

For more detailed guidance on safely disclosing information, read the latest advice from the ICO:

https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlo...

https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlo...

Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will be delayed.

If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

hide quoted sections

FOI Team, Office for National Statistics

Dear Mr Cross

 

Thank you for your email and your patience with us. Please accept my
apologies for the delay in our response to you.

 

In your request to us you asked for our current policies on:

 

• Data quality
• Ensuring statistics are accurate
• Avoiding bias in statistical information
• Ensuring statistics are communicated clearly

 

We responded providing you with links to policies on our website, these
links are as follows:

 

• [1]Analysis Function website
• [2]Guidance on quality in Statistics
• [3]GSS Quality Strategy
• [4]Code of Practice for Statistics.
• [5]ONS Statistical Quality Improvement Strategy
• [6]Communicating quality, uncertainty and change 
• [7]GSS methodology support
• [8]Government Data Quality Framework

 

We should have outlined that we do not hold specific policies that solely
address the areas requested. Instead we have a number of policies that
relate to your request, but also cover many other different topics in
parallel. All policies that contain any relevant information relating to
your request are already published on our website.

Our [9]Data Strategy webpage provides options for our Data Strategy, Data
Principles, [10]Data Policies, and Data Standards webpages. Under ‘Data
Policies’ you will find a number of policies that play a vital part in
ensuring that we manage and governs our data effectively. Please navigate
to this webpage to view the contents.

 

The following policies contained on this webpage may be of particular
interest:

 

• [11]Data standards policy
• [12]Data linkage and matching policy
• [13]Data ethics policy

 

We also hold a number of published policies on writing style guidance
which could fall into your fourth category of request “ensuring statistics
are communicated clearly”. The below maybe of interest to you:

 

• [14]Main points and analysis guidance for bulletins
• [15]Data and methodology sections guidance for writing bulletins
• [16]What to include when writing articles
• [17]Data sources and quality guidance for writing articles
• [18]What sections to avoid when writing articles
• [19]Structuring content
• [20]Writing for your users

 

Teams are also advised to follow the Analysis functions [21]guidance for
releasing statistics in spreadsheets, however this would be considered as
advice rather than policy.

 

If you have any further queries regarding your request, please get back in
touch with us.

 

Kind regards,

 

The Freedom of Information Team | UK Statistics Authority | Awdurdod
Ystadegau’r Deyrnas Unedig

@UKStatsAuth | [22][email address] |
[23]http://www.statisticsauthority.gov.uk

 

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Mr Cross <[FOI #867390 email]>
Sent: 21 June 2022 20:06
To: FOI Team <[email address]>
Subject: Internal review of Freedom of Information request - Data quality

 

[You don't often get email from
[24][FOI #867390 email]. Learn why this is
important at [25]https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentific... ]

 

Caution: This email originated from outside of the organisation. Do not
click links or open attachments unless you recognise the sender and know
the content is safe.

 

 

Dear Office for National Statistics,

 

Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information
reviews.

 

I am writing to request an internal review of the Office for National
Statistics' handling of my FOI request 'Data quality'.

 

While I am grateful for the information already provided, I would ask the
internal reviewer to consider whether there is any other information
falling into the scope of my request that was not disclosed for example 
policies issued to staff but not published online.

 

A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on
the Internet at this address:
[26]https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlo...

 

Yours faithfully,

 

Mr Cross

 

 

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:

[27][FOI #867390 email]

 

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:

[28]https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlo...

 

For more detailed guidance on safely disclosing information, read the
latest advice from the ICO:

[29]https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlo...

[30]https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlo...

 

Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will
be delayed.

 

If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------

References

Visible links
1. https://analysisfunction.civilservice.go...
2. https://analysisfunction.civilservice.go...
3. https://analysisfunction.civilservice.go...
4. https://code.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/
5. https://www.ons.gov.uk/methodology/metho...
6. https://analysisfunction.civilservice.go...
7. https://analysisfunction.civilservice.go...
8. https://www.gov.uk/government/publicatio...
9. https://www.ons.gov.uk/aboutus/transpare...
10. https://www.ons.gov.uk/aboutus/transpare...
11. https://www.ons.gov.uk/aboutus/transpare...
12. https://www.ons.gov.uk/aboutus/transpare...
13. https://www.ons.gov.uk/aboutus/transpare...
14. https://style.ons.gov.uk/category/statis...
15. https://style.ons.gov.uk/category/statis...
16. https://style.ons.gov.uk/category/articl...
17. https://style.ons.gov.uk/category/articl...
18. https://style.ons.gov.uk/category/articl...
19. https://style.ons.gov.uk/category/unders...
20. https://style.ons.gov.uk/category/unders...
21. https://analysisfunction.civilservice.go...
22. mailto:[email address]
23. http://www.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/
24. mailto:[FOI #867390 email]
25. https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentific...
26. https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlo...
27. mailto:[FOI #867390 email]
28. https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlo...
29. https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlo...
30. https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlo...

hide quoted sections