Modernizing NSDS to Open Data
The landmark report by the Independent Expert Advisory Group to the United Nations Secretary General — A World That Counts: Mobilizing the data revolution for sustainable development…
Partnerships and Financing for Statistics: Lessons Learned from Recent Evaluations
As plans for the Sustainable Development Goals coalesce, it becomes increasingly clear that data are a crucial piece to solving the puzzle of poverty eradication and…
Indexes of Data Quality and Openness
This article reviews three indexes that assess the openness or quality of data produced by national governments. The Open Data Barometer (ODB) …
National Statistical Offices Online
For the Data Revolution to truly be revolutionary, national governments need to take the lead in providing data about their country. For most countries, it is much easier to find data about a country through the websites of international organizations rather than through national websites.
Toward a Global Program for Data Quality
The past two decades have seen efforts on multiple fronts to improve the quality and availability of what we will call development data: the statistical information needed for planning, monitoring, and assessing the social and economic development of a country. Although our focus is on poor developing countries, the same data are needed by rich…
Overcoming Open Data Worries
In the last five years, many national governments have announced open data initiatives, and states and cities have joined in. Releasing data openly should make governments more credible.
Tracking the Data Revolution
Last year’s report by the High Level Panel on Post-2015 Development Goals — A New Global Partnership: Eradicate Poverty and Transform Economies through Sustainable Development — got the attention of statisticians, politicians, development agencies, and civil society organizations …
Strategic Planning Resources for National Statistical Systems
Solid, practical, technical assistance must always leverage the energy and diversity of many partners. Many governmental and international agencies, civil society organizations, academic institutions, private foundations, and professional societies are already deeply committed to improving the quality
Introducing Strategy and Guidance
National statistical systems in many developing countries will have to undertake significant reforms to integrate open data standards into their national strategies for statistical development (NSDS). Data do not become open simply by labeling them “open.” Data management and dissemination practices, along with legal, institutional, technical, and quality assurance frameworks, must be brought into alignment…
How Open Are Official Statistics?
Official statistics provide an indispensable element in the information system of a democratic society, serving the Government, the economy and the public with data about the economic, demographic, social and environmental situation. To this end, official statistics that meet the test of practical utility are to be compiled and made available on an impartial basis…