GETTING THE FACTS RIGHT A guide to presenting metadata with examples on Millennium Development

What are metadata?  data that defines or describes other data  “information that is needed to be able to use and interpret statistics” (Eurostat)

With metadata Without metadata

Source: United Nations Statistics Division (2003). Indicators for Monitoring the Millennium Development Goals.

UNDP Guide to Measuring Human Development “… a reference tool that provides guidance on statistical principles…”

Metadata: particularly important for MDG-related reports and data

Metadata management: a strategic priority for statistical systems

Statistical metadata Structural metadata Reference metadata ConceptsMethodsQuality Types of metadata

Uses of statistical metadata  Data discovery  Define and describe data resources  Drive statistical production  Capture information about sources  Integral to the IT environment  Describe quality of outputs Source: Graeme Oakley, Australian Bureau of Statistics

International standards and guides  Excellent resources already exist  UNECE Working Group on Statistical Metadata (METIS)  Little guidance on metadata for development indicators

Common Metadata Framework  Evolving online reference  Statistical metadata portal  Developed by experts  Maintained by UNECE 

Handbook on Data and Metadata Reporting  Comprehensive guide to publishing metadata  Available in English and French 

Generic Statistical Business Process Model (GSBPM) Generic Statistical Information Model (GSIM)

A guide for managers  Principles of good management  Explains Statistical Metadata in a Corporate Context  Central systems and tools  Vocabularies  Classification management  Question databases

Benefits of managing metadata  Everyone uses up-to-date classifications and definitions  Gain resources  Higher morale and productivity  Capitalising on lessons learned  Easier for data users to understand  Increased trust in official statistics Producing statistics Using statistics Improving statistics

Interpret data being presented Understand comparability Detailed metadata General and related information Metadata for MDG indicators Specific and succinct General and detailed

MandatoryConditionalOptional Metadata for MDG indicators Specific and succinct General and detailed

UNECE Recommendations MandatoryConditionalOptional 1. Title describing data being presented 2. Data provider 3. Statistical concepts and definitions 4. Comparability (geographical/time) 5. Source data 6. Symbols or abbreviations 7. Accuracy 8. Contact information 9. References / Relevant links

Mandatory metadata 1. Title describing data being presented 2. Data provider 3. Statistical concepts and definitions

Conditional metadata 4. Comparability (geographical and over time) 5. Source data 6. Symbols or abbreviations Total employment by status in employment (thousands) Source: LABORSTA (laborsta.ilo.org)laborsta.ilo.org

Optional metadata 7. Accuracy 8. Contact information 9. References / relevant links

Use as a checklist Mandatory1. Title describing data being presented 2. Data provider 3. Statistical concepts and definitions Conditional4. Comparability (geographical / over time) 5. Source data 6. Symbols or abbreviations Optional7. Accuracy 8. Contact information 9. References / Relevant links

Examples to be used in group work  National Poverty line  Net enrolment in primary and secondary  Infant and child mortality rate  Proportion using improved water sources  Internet users per 1000 population