Office for Statistics Regulation- Driving Trust in Official Statistics- Deadline 16:00 23rd January 2025
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Background: The work of OSR is underpinned by the conviction that official statistics (OS) should serve the public good. This means they should be public assets that provide insight, which allows them to be used widely for informing understanding and shaping action. This vision can only be fulfilled if users and potential users of OS consider them to be trustworthy. Surveys like the Public Confidence in Official Statistics Survey (PCOS)
offer some insight into this topic, but we would like to learn more.
Outline: This project will investigate the level of trust that the public has in official statistics, what influences this and how levels of trust influence use. The project offers an opportunity to improve way OSR regulates official statistics across the UK statistical system.
Methods: This is a research project, which would be delivered through a combinations of literature review, surveys and interviews. OSR would expect the student to lead the project, deciding what literature to review and then how to best expand the project after the initial desk literature review. The OSR sponsor would provide steers as needed and facilitate introductions with individuals or organisations where possible.
Expected output: A report detailing the findings and recommendations for improving trust in statistics. This would cover factors known to drive trust in evidence (including how trust and trustworthiness are related), as well as bringing together evidence on this topic.
The research questions to be answered by the report will be agreed with the project sponsor, but the format can be determined by the student. The student is likely to require qualitative analysis skills to deliver this report, although the exact skills required will depend on the research methodology used.
Support: The student will be supported by team members in OSR, and regular catch ups will be arranged with a dedicated project sponsor. The student would also be welcome to attend some wider team meetings, such as the all-OSR team meeting each Wednesday and team training opportunities. Previous placement students have told us how much they enjoyed working in OSR because we’re a supportive team. We are dedicated to our work but feel very strongly about the importance of well-being and work-life harmony.
To apply
Closing date for applications: 16:00 GMT, 24 January 2025
Anticipated start date: OSR can be flexible regarding the start and completion date for this project. Trust in official statistics is an ongoing, high-priority area of work for our organisation. We would be happy for someone to start from March 2025 onwards.
Application format: Please submit a CV and a cover letter (max 500 words), which includes why you are interested in the role and why you are suitable for it, along with a completed ESRC placement and funding permissions form. We recruit based on your knowledge and skills, and not background, gender or ethnicity - this is called name blind recruitment.
Please remove references to your:
• name/title
• educational institutions
• age
• gender
• email address
• postal address
• phone number
• nationality/immigration status
How to submit an application: please send your application to
regulation@statistics.gov.uk, marking your email for Helen Miller-Bakewell