The Memobust Handbook on Methodology for Modern Business Statistics Sander Scholtus Rob van de Laar Leon Willenborg

The Memobust Handbook 1 Outline Background / goals of the project Description of the handbook Possible use After the project

The Memobust Handbook 2 The Memobust project Methodology for Modern Business Statistics ESSnet project Co-ordinator: Leon Willenborg (Statistics Netherlands) Two phases: January 2011 – July 2012 September 2012 – March 2014 Project team: First phase: Netherlands; Greece; Hungary; Italy; Norway; Poland; Sweden; Switzerland Second phase: the same, minus Greece

The Memobust Handbook 3 Main goals Handbook on methodology for the production of business statistics Special focus on design, data collection, estimation, and integration Comply with Generic Statistical Business Process Model (GSBPM) Initial idea: update the existing “Handbook on the design and implementation of business surveys” (ed. Willeboordse, 1998) In practice: handbook entirely re-written

The Memobust Handbook 4 Intended readership Persons working at (European) statistical institutes in the area of business statistics Survey managers Process designers Statisticians / production staff Methodologists

The Memobust Handbook 5 Handbook: form and approach Appearance: set of interconnected PDF documents (modules) freely accessible on the internet web page: Modules arranged into topics Two types of modules: themes (general nature) methods (more specific, more detailed)

The Memobust Handbook 6 Topics in the handbook 1. Introduction13. Coding 2. General Observations14. Statistical Data Editing 3. User Needs15. Imputation 4. Overall Design16. Derivation of Statistical Units 5. Repeated Surveys17. Weighting and Estimation 6. Design of Statistical Concepts18. Quality Aspects 7. Questionnaire Design19. Macro-Integration 8. Statistical Registers and Frames20. Seasonal Adjustment 9. Sample Selection21. Statistical Disclosure Control 10. Data Collection22. Dissemination 11. Response23. Evaluation 12. Micro-Fusion24. Dynamics of the Business Population

The Memobust Handbook 7 Structure of the handbook Modules have a fixed format (template) Template for theme modules General information Non-technical Broad readership Template for method modules More detailed information More technical/mathematical Mainly for methodologists

The Memobust Handbook 8 Glossary ‘Global’ glossary based on ‘local’ glossaries in the modules one entrance to the handbook Co-ordination of glossary terms/definitions within handbook with external standards SDMX Metadata Common Vocabulary GSBPM

The Memobust Handbook 9 Possible use of the handbook Source of knowledge / aid in designing and running business statistics Information for users of business data Base material for courses Course within the project: November 2013 (details tba) Reference point for literature and software Facilitate the discourse on statistical methods and harmonization at the European level

The Memobust Handbook 10 After the project Keep the handbook up-to-date in the future Modular, electronic form facilitates easy updating Requires Active group of topic leaders (moderators) ‘Center of expertise’ to co-ordinate the maintenance Financial sponsorship Extending the scope to social statistics? Memobust  Mesobust Methodology for Social and Business Statistics