Raising the Capability of Producers and Users of Official Statistics

Abstract

AbstractIn both Australia and New Zealand, the National Statistics Offices have developed strong partnerships with academics to raise statistical capability. Both offices recognise the importance of good methodology to underpin official statistics. However, the main target group for Statistics New Zealand (SNZ) has been external users of official statistics, but that for the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has been its own statistical methodologists (producers) and advancing research. This chapter outlines sets of initiatives from both agencies. SNZ has actively focussed on raising the statistical capability of key groups of users, including schools, small businesses, government, the media and Maori. It has established a network of academics in official statistics whose members are involved in the design, implementation, delivery and assessment of courses for qualification as well as presenting short (1- or 2-day) courses. The ABS places strong emphasis on the recruitment, training and grooming of young methodologists to become leaders in their chosen field of research, and their focus is on collaboration with the university sector and academics to help with this and to foster ABS research. Other initiatives undertaken in both organisations are also briefly mentioned, including the Census AtSchool project.KeywordsOfficial statistics educationPartnerships between academics and official statisticiansOfficial statistics training