Abstract
One of the challenges faced by organisations that provide official statistics is how to convey the uncertainty related to the statistics. This artlce sets out the importance of conveying uncertainty, and introduces the work of the UK’s Office for Statistics Regulation. The article summarises a short review, undertaken by the Office for Statistics Regulation, of practices by official statistics providers in the United Kingdom. It argues that tthere are two distinct types of uncertainty: specific uncertainty in the statistical estimates themselves; and contextual uncertainty, which lies in the inferences that a user may draw from, and the weight a user may place on, the official statistics. The article then briefly considers the potential relevance of different understandings of cognitive processes. It concludes that the communication of uncertainty is an area of developing practice within official statistics.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.