The links between statistics, research and policymaking
Citation:
Blackwell, John. 'Symposium on statistics for policy and research: the links between statistics, research and policymaking'. - Dublin: Journal of the Statistical and Social Inquiry Society of Ireland,Vol. XXV, Pt. III, 1985/1986, pp1-10Download Item:
Abstract:
The recent Government paper on the Central Statistics
Office and the accompanying report of the Statistical
Council are to be welcomed. This is partly because their
specific proposals would lead to a more efficient system of
providing official statistics. Moreover, the very
publication of these papers, together with the Statistical
Users' Seminar of June 1984, have meant that the provision
of statistics has come alive as a policy issue. One hopes
that this symposium can give a further impetus to this
policy debate. This Society is a particularly appropriate
host for this set of contributions, as it is the only
regular forum which brings together statisticians, social
scientists and Government officials.
For too long, the provision of statistics has been seen
as either something which was of little importance or else
the concern of a small group of "experts". It is tempting to
decry such notions by assertion. There is, however, a danger
that at a Society such as this, the importance of statistics
will be taken as self-evident. This is understandable. After
all, the national income accounts have been described as the
staff of life for the macro-economist, and similar things
could be said about the links which bind policy analysis and
statistics provision in so many areas. At an even broader
level, information has been described as the currency of
democracy. But in the harsh world which we are facing, the
importance of statistics will not be taken as axiomatic.
This is especially the case in view of the many competing
claims for public expenditure. Hence, this paper begins with
the links between statistics provision, policy making and
research. It goes on to point out a number of ways in which
the provision of statistics falls short of potential. Some
key constraints on the achievement of this potential are
briefly enumerated. Finally, a number of matters which might
usefully be considered by the new National Statistics Board
are discussed.
Description:
Read before the Society, 7th November, 1985
Author: Blackwell, John
Other Titles:
Symposium on Statistics for Policy and ResearchPublisher:
Statistical and Social Inquiry Society of IrelandType of material:
Journal articleCollections
Series/Report no:
Journal of the Statistical and Social Inquiry Society of IrelandVol. XXV, Pt. III, 1985/1986
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Full text availableKeywords:
Statistics provision, Policy makingISSN:
00814776Metadata
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