Office for Statistics Regulation- Summarising Quality for Statistics- Deadline 16:00 23rd January 2025
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Background: The work of OSR is underpinned by the conviction that official statistics should serve the public good and inspire public confidence. The Code of Practice for Statistics sets the standards that those producing official statistics should meet, to fulfil
this aim. The Code has three core concepts: Trustworthiness, Quality and Value (TQV). Central to upholding TQV is a commitment from producers of official statistics to provide transparent, clear information about the quality of their statistics for users. This includes explaining any uncertainty in the statistics. However, it is not always easy or obvious how to effectively communicate quality for different audiences. This is especially true as the variety of formats by which statistics are disseminated increases, with more common reliance on dashboards and social media statements, for example. While there are some excellent examples of communicating quality across the UK statistical system, OSR has repeatedly identified this as an area where statistical producers could do more to strengthen their approach.
Outline: This project will explore how organisations producing official statistics can best summarise information about the quality of their statistics, to help users understand how they can or cannot be used. It will consider general principles, but also how these can be applied to different formats of statistical communication. The project offers an opportunity to improve the presentation of official statistics across the whole UK statistical system.
Methods: The student will review past work by OSR and other institutions (such as the Winton Centre), along with academic literature, to build a picture of how information on the quality of evidence can be effectively conveyed. This could be supplemented by expert interviews and interviews with producers of statistics, as well as desk research to review how quality is currently communicated across statistical releases. 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 findings from the student’s research into how the quality of evidence can be effectively portrayed. This could include recommendations on quality scales or summaries that could be tested with producers and user of statistics. 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, 23 January 2025
Anticipated start date: OSR can be flexible regarding the start and completion date for this project. Statistical communication 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.