PRESENTATION OF SHORT-TERM ECONOMIC STATISTICS Meeting of the OECD Short-term Economic Statistics Expert Group 24-25 June 2002 PRESENTATION OF SHORT-TERM ECONOMIC STATISTICS

Presentation of Short-term Economic Statistics Aim of session is to consider options for improvements in the presentation of short-term economic statistics. Focus is on presentation of data and metadata on the Internet.

Presentation of Short-term Economic Statistics “Presentation” in context of this session is very broad. Includes: range of statistics presented on websites of national agencies and international organisations; data formats used for data presentation: time series length; revision practices; raw v. SA or trend-cycle data; presentation of growth rates. presentation of metadata Discussion on this topic also touches on issues related to the transfer of short-term economic statistics between national agencies and international organisations

Presentation of Short-term Economic Statistics - Focus on Internet Reason for focus on Internet: Seen by many users as the key medium of data dissemination. Key element of national e-government policies to ensure that statistics reach a wider audience of users. Addresses the “accessibility” quality dimension. Trend to make greater use of Internet will continue Ease of accessibility of data on Internet also has risks. Data can be extracted and used inappropriately, out of context - especially when extracted without metadata normally found in paper publications

Presentation of Short-term Economic Statistics Following points arise from review of Internet presentation practices (UNECE + OECD work). Enormous variation in: range of indicators presented - no standards how series are presented: raw, SA, growth rates; time series length; updating practices - some “instant”, some with “delay”; range of data presented free of charge; dissemination practices: tables; on-line publications (PDF, HTML); pre-defined time series (Excel, csv); access to on-line databases; metadata provided

Presentation of Short-term Economic Statistics - Use of Internet as a medium for transfer of data to international organisations OECD has requirement for national data as published in countries + harmonised data for international comparisons. In some cases these are the same, in others not so - some harmonisation required by I/Os to improve comparability. Different practices by different I/Os, e.g. in seasonal adjustment practices

Two main approaches to improve data transfer in future: Presentation of Short-term Economic Statistics - Use of Internet as a medium for transfer of data to international organisations Two main approaches to improve data transfer in future: Use of common data files by different I/Os - current project between OECD, Eurostat and IMF - slow progress. Data sharing model through common access to on-line databases. Preferred approach at CES, OECD HLG. make maximum use of existing on-line databases; develop recommendations and guidelines for on-line databases to ensure they can be used effectively (SDMX?); development of standard codification schemes similar to that currently used in national accounts questionnaire

Presentation of Short-term Economic Statistics - Possible areas for future work for discussion by STESEG range of indicators to be presented - target list; formulation of a set of presentation standards covering issues such as: time series length; raw/SA/trend-cycle; growth rates; possibility of national agencies providing set of “standard” tables on their websites - expanded SDDS approach; recommendations on practices for updating ST indicators on website; standards of facilities for efficient transfer of data and metadata (e.g. possibility to use automated data extraction facilities); standards for metadata presentation updating practices - hard-linking to data.

Presentation of Short-term Economic Statistics - Possible areas for future work for discussion by STESEG What should be done by: STESEG with other international organisations (in particular, Eurostat) SDMX METIS