RELEASE OF THE OECD DATA AND METADATA REPORTING AND PRESENTATION HANDBOOK. WHERE TO FROM HERE? Agenda item: 5 RELEASE OF THE OECD DATA AND METADATA REPORTING AND PRESENTATION HANDBOOK. WHERE TO FROM HERE? OECD Short-term Economic Statistics Working Party (STESWP) Paris June 2007

AIM OF SESSION Present options for consideration by STESWP on future work on data and metadata reporting and presentation following release of the OECD Presentation Handbook Present options for consideration by STESWP on future work on data and metadata reporting and presentation following release of the OECD Presentation Handbook These options were outlined in the paper disseminated to STESWP delegates in early May 2007 Present summary of national responses / views provided Present summary of national responses / views provided Discuss where to from here. Discuss where to from here.

RELEASE OF OECD PRESENTATION HANDBOOK OECD Data and Metadata Reporting and Presentation Handbook received extensive input from STESWP over period OECD Data and Metadata Reporting and Presentation Handbook received extensive input from STESWP over period Received final endorsement from OECD Committee on Statistics (CSTAT) in late 2006 Received final endorsement from OECD Committee on Statistics (CSTAT) in late 2006 Electronic version available on Internet free of charge at Electronic version available on Internet free of charge at Paper version (in English and French) available soon Paper version (in English and French) available soon

OECD PRESENTATION HANDBOOK The need for articulation of a comprehensive set of reporting and presentation standards in one source driven by two broad imperatives. To: Improve data quality Improve data quality Minimise reporting burden in provision of data and metadata to international organisations Minimise reporting burden in provision of data and metadata to international organisations

IMPROVE DATA QUALITY Data interpretability and coherence Are important dimensions of data quality imbedded in all existing frameworks (IMF, Eurostat, OECD, Canada, Sweden, etc)Are important dimensions of data quality imbedded in all existing frameworks (IMF, Eurostat, OECD, Canada, Sweden, etc) Facilitated through the provision of appropriate metadata.Facilitated through the provision of appropriate metadata.

MINIMISE REPORTING BURDEN Data sharing has received a lot of attention in recent years Data sharing has received a lot of attention in recent years Assisted through evolution of new technologies – in particular, the Internet. Assisted through evolution of new technologies – in particular, the Internet. Requires further development of both technical and data content exchange standards – SDMX has a key role Requires further development of both technical and data content exchange standards – SDMX has a key role Agreement on key data reporting and presentation practices is also vital Agreement on key data reporting and presentation practices is also vital

CONTENT OF OECD PRESENTATION HANDBOOK (1) Different types (e.g. absolute figures; indices; growth rates) and forms (e.g. original; seasonally adjusted; trend-cycle) of data Different types (e.g. absolute figures; indices; growth rates) and forms (e.g. original; seasonally adjusted; trend-cycle) of data Presentation and dissemination of metadata Key data presentation practices

CONTENT OF OECD PRESENTATION HANDBOOK (2) CONTENT OF OECD PRESENTATION HANDBOOK (2) for revised data for breaks in time series for information about sampling and non-sampling errors of base years in the presentation of indices for data and metadata citation for the reporting of administrative data for revised data for breaks in time series for information about sampling and non-sampling errors of base years in the presentation of indices for data and metadata citation for the reporting of administrative data Initial list in OECD Presentation Handbook – Obviously, there are other issues Key presentation practices

GUIDELINES FOR REPORTING AND DISSEMINATION OF METADATA Receive considerable attention in Handbook: Provision of adequate metadata still a problem despite efforts at national and international levels. Provision of adequate metadata still a problem despite efforts at national and international levels. Absence makes international comparisons difficult Absence makes international comparisons difficult Numerous initiatives and forums have developed metadata standards over the years – ISO, DDI, Dublin Core + work of METIS, etc Numerous initiatives and forums have developed metadata standards over the years – ISO, DDI, Dublin Core + work of METIS, etc Still a need for further standards on where and how metadata should be presented – OECD Presentation Handbook Still a need for further standards on where and how metadata should be presented – OECD Presentation Handbook

GUIDELINES FOR REPORTING AND DISSEMINATION OF METADATA Guidelines: Further emphasize need for metadata Further emphasize need for metadata Access to metadata (free of charge, linkage to data, structuring, searchable, etc) Access to metadata (free of charge, linkage to data, structuring, searchable, etc) Adoption of a set of common metadata items – SDMX content standards Adoption of a set of common metadata items – SDMX content standards Adoption of a common set of terminology for metadata preparation – SDMX content standards Adoption of a common set of terminology for metadata preparation – SDMX content standards

FUTURE CHANGES TO HANDBOOK Content will not remain static – Always envisaged that it will evolve over time to incorporate new issues, possibly from work of STESWP Content will not remain static – Always envisaged that it will evolve over time to incorporate new issues, possibly from work of STESWP Will be incorporated into Internet version of the Handbook. Will be incorporated into Internet version of the Handbook. Possible future topics include: Possible future topics include: o Linking of time series – refer STESWP agenda item 7 o Graphical presentation of statistics – refer STESWP agenda item 4 o Problems related to data confidentiality o Presentation of chained indices and chain linking Content will not remain static – Always envisaged that it will evolve over time to incorporate new issues, possibly from work of STESWP Content will not remain static – Always envisaged that it will evolve over time to incorporate new issues, possibly from work of STESWP Will be incorporated into Internet version of the Handbook. Will be incorporated into Internet version of the Handbook. Possible future topics include: Possible future topics include: o Linking of time series – refer STESWP agenda item 7 o Graphical presentation of statistics – refer STESWP agenda item 4 o Problems related to data confidentiality o Presentation of chained indices and chain linking

WHERE TO FROM HERE? Two options presented in paper: Do nothing – Handbook would primarily serve as a reference document of recommended practices Do nothing – Handbook would primarily serve as a reference document of recommended practices Use recommendations as a basis for comparisons of current national and international practices in the reporting and presentation of short-term economic indicators – In line with Mandate of STESWP Use recommendations as a basis for comparisons of current national and international practices in the reporting and presentation of short-term economic indicators – In line with Mandate of STESWP Two options presented in paper: Do nothing – Handbook would primarily serve as a reference document of recommended practices Do nothing – Handbook would primarily serve as a reference document of recommended practices Use recommendations as a basis for comparisons of current national and international practices in the reporting and presentation of short-term economic indicators – In line with Mandate of STESWP Use recommendations as a basis for comparisons of current national and international practices in the reporting and presentation of short-term economic indicators – In line with Mandate of STESWP

WHERE TO FROM HERE? Two options presented in paper: Do nothing – Handbook would primarily serve as a reference document of recommended practices Do nothing – Handbook would primarily serve as a reference document of recommended practices Use recommendations as a basis for comparisons of current national and international practices in the reporting and presentation of short-term economic indicators – In line with Mandate of STESWP Use recommendations as a basis for comparisons of current national and international practices in the reporting and presentation of short-term economic indicators – In line with Mandate of STESWP Two options presented in paper: Do nothing – Handbook would primarily serve as a reference document of recommended practices Do nothing – Handbook would primarily serve as a reference document of recommended practices Use recommendations as a basis for comparisons of current national and international practices in the reporting and presentation of short-term economic indicators – In line with Mandate of STESWP Use recommendations as a basis for comparisons of current national and international practices in the reporting and presentation of short-term economic indicators – In line with Mandate of STESWP … to improve the quality of short-term economic indicators which it “would monitor by regular studies [of the] quality and comparability of data in all domains of short-term economic statistics [and] encourage the methodological transparency, and ….”

HOW COULD WE PROCEED? OUTLINE OF PROCESS OUTLINED IN PAPER Obviously want to make magnitude of task realistic Obviously want to make magnitude of task realistic Handbook contains 14 pages of recommendations – Are all of equal importance? Handbook contains 14 pages of recommendations – Are all of equal importance? Short-term economic statistics comprised of many different domains – QNA, prices, international trade, retail, employment, unemployment, interest rates, monetary aggregates, etc. – Is it possible to review all? Short-term economic statistics comprised of many different domains – QNA, prices, international trade, retail, employment, unemployment, interest rates, monetary aggregates, etc. – Is it possible to review all? Review would be undertaken by each NSO and OECD – Each would compile summary information by December 2007 Review would be undertaken by each NSO and OECD – Each would compile summary information by December 2007 OECD would assemble information provided into a single document. Forwarded to STESWP members for comment by written procedure by end March 2008 OECD would assemble information provided into a single document. Forwarded to STESWP members for comment by written procedure by end March 2008 Forwarded to CSTAT with outline of broad issues - June 2008 meeting Forwarded to CSTAT with outline of broad issues - June 2008 meeting Final document would be published by the OECD Final document would be published by the OECD Obviously want to make magnitude of task realistic Obviously want to make magnitude of task realistic Handbook contains 14 pages of recommendations – Are all of equal importance? Handbook contains 14 pages of recommendations – Are all of equal importance? Short-term economic statistics comprised of many different domains – QNA, prices, international trade, retail, employment, unemployment, interest rates, monetary aggregates, etc. – Is it possible to review all? Short-term economic statistics comprised of many different domains – QNA, prices, international trade, retail, employment, unemployment, interest rates, monetary aggregates, etc. – Is it possible to review all? Review would be undertaken by each NSO and OECD – Each would compile summary information by December 2007 Review would be undertaken by each NSO and OECD – Each would compile summary information by December 2007 OECD would assemble information provided into a single document. Forwarded to STESWP members for comment by written procedure by end March 2008 OECD would assemble information provided into a single document. Forwarded to STESWP members for comment by written procedure by end March 2008 Forwarded to CSTAT with outline of broad issues - June 2008 meeting Forwarded to CSTAT with outline of broad issues - June 2008 meeting Final document would be published by the OECD Final document would be published by the OECD

HOW COULD WE PROCEED? - 11 themes identified - Theme Initial Priority Final Priority 1. Preparation of publication manuals & their publication on Internet L 2. Practices to ensure use of consistent terminology & definitions across organisation M 3. Reporting of different types of statistical data – original, indices, growth rates, etc H 4. Reporting of different forms of time series data – WDA, seasonally adjusted, trend-cycle H 5. Providing access to metadata, common metadata terminology, use of common metadata items H 6. Transparent practices for data revision H 7. Practices for presentation of series breaks M 8. Practices for presentation of sampling & non-sampling errors M 9. Practices for rebasing L 10. Practices for citation L 11. Practices for the presentation & reporting of administrative data M

HOW COULD WE PROCEED? - Which STES domains? - Various options: Tackle all headline STES indicators (MEI=18; PEEI=15) Tackle all headline STES indicators (MEI=18; PEEI=15) Tackle only selected STES indicators – Which ones? Tackle only selected STES indicators – Which ones? Top-down approach; identify a small number of issues for each theme; report from a corporate perspective Top-down approach; identify a small number of issues for each theme; report from a corporate perspective Various options: Tackle all headline STES indicators (MEI=18; PEEI=15) Tackle all headline STES indicators (MEI=18; PEEI=15) Tackle only selected STES indicators – Which ones? Tackle only selected STES indicators – Which ones? Top-down approach; identify a small number of issues for each theme; report from a corporate perspective Top-down approach; identify a small number of issues for each theme; report from a corporate perspective

WHAT YOU SAID Responses on this agenda item were received from 20 agencies in 19 countries. Responses on this agenda item were received from 20 agencies in 19 countries. Of the 15 agencies that provided substantive input, 14 were in favour of making active use of key recommendations in the OECD Presentation Handbook. Of the 15 agencies that provided substantive input, 14 were in favour of making active use of key recommendations in the OECD Presentation Handbook. Responses on this agenda item were received from 20 agencies in 19 countries. Responses on this agenda item were received from 20 agencies in 19 countries. Of the 15 agencies that provided substantive input, 14 were in favour of making active use of key recommendations in the OECD Presentation Handbook. Of the 15 agencies that provided substantive input, 14 were in favour of making active use of key recommendations in the OECD Presentation Handbook.

WHAT YOU SAID Should the Handbook be used as a basis for comparing national & international practices for the reporting and dissemination of STES? General endorsement of use of Handbook recommendations. Want to ensure that maximum use is made of existing metadata provided in IMF’s SDDS and Eurostat’s Principal European Economic Indicators (PEEIs). Do you endorse the approach outlined in paper identifying 11 main themes from extensive Handbook recommendations? General endorsement of the 11 main themes identified from the Handbook recommendations. Do you endorse the top-down approach for reporting on national application of these themes from a corporate perspective & extent of their application throughout agency? Most thought that top-down approach would be the way to go. However, some felt that issue needed to be discussed further – Information from a corporate perspective could be too abstract and general. Risk of no info. from organisations with no corporate policies on issues. Any comments on draft issues identified for each theme and priorities identified in paper? Most thought draft issues OK in the main, though many suggested some changes in priorities of some themes. Many thought initial work S/B restricted to high priority themes Do you endorse the processes for the provision of the required summaries by each national agency and OECD & their subsequent use as outlined? Most were comfortable with process outlined involving: STESWP consultation; referral to CSTAT; final OECD publication. Timeline OK – perhaps February 2008 would be better

WHAT YOU SAID Should the Handbook be used as a basis for comparing national & international practices for the reporting and dissemination of STES? General endorsement of use of Handbook recommendations. Want to ensure that maximum use is made of existing metadata provided in IMF’s SDDS and Eurostat’s Principal European Economic Indicators (PEEIs). Do you endorse the approach outlined in paper identifying 11 main themes from extensive Handbook recommendations? General endorsement of the 11 main themes identified from the Handbook recommendations. Do you endorse the top-down approach for reporting on national application of these themes from a corporate perspective & extent of their application throughout agency? Most thought that top-down approach would be the way to go. However, some felt that issue needed to be discussed further – Information from a corporate perspective could be too abstract and general. Risk of no info. from organisations with no corporate policies on issues. Any comments on draft issues identified for each theme and priorities identified in paper? Most thought draft issues OK in the main, though many suggested some changes in priorities of some themes. Many thought initial work S/B restricted to high priority themes Do you endorse the processes for the provision of the required summaries by each national agency and OECD & their subsequent use as outlined? Most were comfortable with process outlined involving: STESWP consultation; referral to CSTAT; final OECD publication. Timeline OK – perhaps February 2008 would be better Perhaps select small number of specific indicators

WHICH INDICATORS? MEI Indicators Principal European Economic Indicators (derived domains) QNA Industrial production Composite leading indicators Construction Passenger car registrations Retail trade Consumer prices Producer prices Hourly earnings Unit labour costs EmploymentUnemployment Interest rates Share prices Monetary aggregates Exchange rates Merchandise trade Current balance CPIQNA Industrial production Industrial output price index for domestic markets Industrial new orders index Industrial import price index Production in construction Turnover index for retail trade and repair Turnover index for other services Corporate output price index for services Unemployment rate Job vacancy rate Employment Labour cost index External trade balance

SUGGESTED REVISED PRIORITIES Theme Initial Priority Revised Priority 1. Preparation of publication manuals & their publication on Internet LL 2. Practices to ensure use of consistent terminology & definitions across organisation ML 3. Reporting of different types of statistical data – original, indices, growth rates, etc HM 4. Reporting of different forms of time series data – WDA, seasonally adjusted, trend-cycle HH 5. Providing access to metadata, common metadata terminology, use of common metadata items HH 6. Transparent practices for data revision HH 7. Practices for presentation of series breaks MH 8. Practices for presentation of sampling & non-sampling errors ML-H 9. Practices for rebasing LM 10. Practices for citation LL 11. Practices for the presentation & reporting of administrative data MH

SUGGESTED REVISED PRIORITIES Theme Initial Priority Revised Priority 1. Preparation of publication manuals & their publication on Internet LL 2. Practices to ensure use of consistent terminology & definitions across organisation ML 3. Reporting of different types of statistical data – original, indices, growth rates, etc HM 4. Reporting of different forms of time series data – WDA, seasonally adjusted, trend-cycle HHH 5. Providing access to metadata, common metadata terminology, use of common metadata items HH 6. Transparent practices for data revision HHH 7. Practices for presentation of series breaks MHH 8. Practices for presentation of sampling & non-sampling errors ML-H 9. Practices for rebasing LM 10. Practices for citation LL 11. Practices for the presentation & reporting of administrative data MH Because of ISIC / NACE implementation.

Thank you for your attention !

ISSUES FOR DISCUSSION All 11 themes or only revised high priority themes (6-7 of these)? All 11 themes or only revised high priority themes (6-7 of these)? Top-down approach from corporate perspective or identify priority indicators? Top-down approach from corporate perspective or identify priority indicators? Process OK? Process OK? Info. provided by each agency by December 2007 Info. provided by each agency by December 2007 Assembled by OECD into single document Assembled by OECD into single document Final comment by STESWP by end March 2008 Final comment by STESWP by end March 2008 Forwarded to CSTAT with outline of broad issues for June 2008 meeting Forwarded to CSTAT with outline of broad issues for June 2008 meeting Final document to be published by OECD Final document to be published by OECD All 11 themes or only revised high priority themes (6-7 of these)? All 11 themes or only revised high priority themes (6-7 of these)? Top-down approach from corporate perspective or identify priority indicators? Top-down approach from corporate perspective or identify priority indicators? Process OK? Process OK? Info. provided by each agency by December 2007 Info. provided by each agency by December 2007 Assembled by OECD into single document Assembled by OECD into single document Final comment by STESWP by end March 2008 Final comment by STESWP by end March 2008 Forwarded to CSTAT with outline of broad issues for June 2008 meeting Forwarded to CSTAT with outline of broad issues for June 2008 meeting Final document to be published by OECD Final document to be published by OECD