Getting the facts right

GETTING THE FACTS RIGHTA guide to presenting metadata with examples on Millennium Development

What are metadata? data that defines or describes other data “information that is needed to be able to

use and interpret statistics” (Eurostat)

With metadata Without metadata

Source: United Nations Statistics Division (2003). Indicators for Monitoring the Millennium Development Goals.

UNDP Guide to Measuring Human Development

“… a reference tool that provides guidance on statistical principles…”

Metadata: particularly important for MDG-related reports and data

Metadata management:a strategic priority for statistical systems

Statistical metadata

Structural metadata

Reference metadata

Concepts Methods Quality

Types of metadata

Uses of statistical metadata Data discovery Define and describe data

resources Drive statistical production Capture information about

sources Integral to the IT environment Describe quality of outputsSource: Graeme Oakley, Australian Bureau of Statisticswww.unescap.org/stat/apex/2/APEX2_S.4_conference_Statistical%20Metadata%20Standards.pdf

International standards and guides Excellent resources already exist UNECE Working Group on Statistical

Metadata (METIS) Little guidance on metadata for

development indicators

Common Metadata Framework Evolving online

reference Statistical

metadata portal Developed by

experts Maintained by

UNECE www.unece.org

Handbook on Data and Metadata Reporting Comprehensive

guide to publishing metadata

Available in English and French

www.oecd-ilibrary.org

Generic Statistical Business Process Model (GSBPM)

Generic Statistical Information Model (GSIM)

A guide for managers Principles of good

management

Explains Statistical Metadata in a Corporate Context

Central systems and tools Vocabularies Classification

management Question databases

Benefits of managing metadata

Everyone uses up-to-date classifications and definitions

Gain resources Higher morale and productivity Capitalising on lessons learned Easier for data users to

understand Increased trust in official

statistics

Producing

statistics

Using statistics

Improving

statistics

Interpret data being presented

Understand comparability

Detailed metadata

General and related information

Metadata for MDG indicators

Specific and succinct

General and detailed

Mandatory

Conditional

Optional

Metadata for MDG indicators

Specific and succinct

General and detailed

UNECE Recommendations

Mandatory

Conditional

Optional

1. Title describing data being presented2. Data provider3. Statistical concepts and definitions4. Comparability (geographical/time)5. Source data6. Symbols or abbreviations7. Accuracy8. Contact information9. References / Relevant links

Mandatory metadata

1. Title describing data being presented

2. Data provider

3. Statistical concepts and definitions

Conditional metadata

4. Comparability (geographical and over time)

5. Source data

6. Symbols or abbreviations

Total employment by status in employment (thousands)

Source: LABORSTA (laborsta.ilo.org)

Optional metadata7. Accuracy

8. Contact information

9. References / relevant links

Use as a checklistMandatory 1. Title describing data being

presented2. Data provider3. Statistical concepts and definitions

Conditional 4. Comparability (geographical / over time)5. Source data6. Symbols or abbreviations

Optional 7. Accuracy8. Contact information9. References / Relevant links