Principles of Analysis and
Dissemination
Country Course on Analysis and Dissemination of
Population and Housing Census Data with Gender
Concern
24-28 October 2011, Jakarta, Indonesia
Why should a statistical
organization do analysis?
To educate officials, policymakers, and others as to what
the data show.
A. The availability of statistical information does not
automatically lead to good decision making.
B. In order for others to be able to use statistics to make
well informed decisions, a statistical organization
needs to make data accessible and understandable.
C. A certain level of statistical analysis and explanation is
required in order for users to understand and
interpret data correctly.
Courtesy: World bank Statistics Institute
Why do analysis?
Educate officials, policymakers, and others:
• Describe a situation
• Classify the component parts of
a situation
• Help assess why something
happened
• Forecast/project what may
happen in the future
Source: www.cartoonstock.com
Courtesy: World bank Statistics Institute
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Fundamental Principles of Official
Statistics- Principle 4
• Statistical agencies are entitled to comment
on erroneous interpretation and misuse of
statistics.
• Statistical agency will be in a position to know if
others are misunderstanding or misrepresenting the
data if they have done analysis of their own.
Courtesy: World bank Statistics Institute
4
Objective Analysis
Impartiality evident by values in action
Unbiased in subject matter and presentation
– Is the glass half full or half empty?
• It is a .5 liter glass with 250 ml of liquid
Scientific and transparent methods
Equal access to data for all users
Courtesy: World bank Statistics Institute
5
The levels of analysis
• In order of increasing complexity, can be
defined as follows:
- descriptive analysis,
- causal analysis, and
- projection and forecasting.
Courtesy: World bank Statistics Institute
6
Descriptive analysis
• Tells what happened
• Simplest kind presents the information that has
been extracted from the data. Information may
be presented in the form of tables, charts and
maps. Describe what the data show. Very
effective with GIS..
• A higher level of descriptive analysis is achieved
through summarization. An effective
summarization of the data can facilitate the
drawing of conclusions.
Courtesy: World bank Statistics Institute
7
Causal analysis
• Not only tells what happened, but also
attempts to explain why it happened.
• This is a more complex level of analysis and it is
more difficult to attribute causation.
• Providing a good answer to a causal question
depends upon advanced statistical methods.
Courtesy: World bank Statistics Institute
8
Projection and forecasting
• Is the most complex level of analysis.
• Attempts to project or forecast what might be
expected to happen in the future.
• It is based on all the other levels of analysis,
since all information, all possible variables,
must be taken into account.
• Projection and forecasting draw heavily on
techniques such as regression analysis.
Courtesy: World bank Statistics Institute
9
Reasons for Dissemination
 Responsibility to inform policymakers and the general public about
the population, economy, and labor market
 Demonstrate the relevance of data to government and the public
 Enhance support for programs
 Improve respondent relations
 Greater visibility for data products
• On their own, statistics are just numbers. When writing about
numbers, whether in statistical reports, news releases, or articles, it
is key that the statistical organization communicates a statistical story
that makes the numbers meaningful.
Courtesy: World bank Statistics Institute
10
Dissemination Technologies
GIS
 Internet Dissemination
 Data bases
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Dissemination Media
• Paper publications
• Digital media
• Online dissemination
Products and Services
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Provisional results
Tabulations
Thematic statistical or analytical reports
Procedural, evaluation and other reports
Census mapping
Interactive digital outputs
General interest products and special audience reports
Services – customized products, "on request" services
Tabulations
• Basic/essential tabulations
• Recommended tabulations
• Additional tabulations
(UN Principles and Recommendations for Population and Housing Censuses,
Revision 2)
What is Unique about Census
Products?
• Estimates for small areas and small population groups >
effective decision making (identified target population)
• Infrastructure statistics > effective sampling for surveys
(identified strata), without crossing lines vis a vis response
burden and budget
• But usually infrequent (once a decade)
Census Dissemination Strategy has to address first those needs
answered only by census data
Dissemination
Useful tips when writing about data:
• Describe the context
• Present the complete picture to avoid misrepresenting
the data
• Convey the main findings clearly and concisely
• Include definitions to support understanding
• Minimize the use of jargon
• Include information on data quality
Courtesy: World bank Statistics Institute
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