Addressing User Needs

Lena ÅströmStatistics Sweden

International Consulting Office

Bishkek May 2006

Introduction

Statistics Swedens’ mission:

Develop, produce and DISSEMINATE statistics Actively participate in statistical cooperation at international levelCoordinate and support the Swedish system for official statistics

Dissemination is a wide concept:It is not only how we distribute statisticsIt has to include also how statistics is used, understood and interpreted and how relevant it is to the users

Introduction

Production perspective and user perspective are different; we have to learn from each other

As producers we have responsibilities not only to produce good quality statistics, but also to -make statistics known-make statistics available-make statistics understandable-make statistics useful in society

Some experiences from Statistics Sweden

•User councils

•Training and other activities for users

•Role of internet

User Councils

Currently 13 User Councils covering specific subject matter areas like:

•Population statistics and demographics•Social welfare statistics•Employment statistics•Housing, construction and buildings statistics•Economic statistics•Statistics on land and water use•Etc….

User councils, cont.

Objectives:

To provide a system for organised contacts with main users

To currently get information on users’ needs and their use of statistics

To discuss and secure support for development and new ideas

User Councils, cont.

A typical User Council:

Chair person representing a main user 6-12 members representing various types of main usersAppointed for two yearsResponsible staff members from Statistics Sweden2-4 meetings/yearAnnual report on activities and findings

User Councils, cont.

Some experiences:

Better understanding of producer and user perspectives

Capacity building for users and producers

Improved and more relevant and user-friendly statistics

More satisfied users

Training and other activities for users

More than 100 activities per year addressing various type of users

•Seminars

•Conferences

•Training courses

Seminars

Seminars on new methods, new statistical products etc., 1-3 hoursInvitations through mail to subscribers and stakeholders and through the website

Examples: Estimation in surveys The new Labour Force SurveySwedish economy in figuresChanges in Business structure Sweden compared with other EU countries

Conferences1-2 days with a special themeInvited professional speakersAmbitious programOften arranged in co-operation with other public agencies, organisations, etc.

Examples:Welfare StatisticsEconomic statisticsStatistical forecasting

Statistics Sweden is often also participating with presentations in conferencesarranged by others

Training courses

Many different types of training for various target groups

Some examples: How to find and interpret statistics (for journalists)How to retreive statistics from databasesHow to interpret and avoid mistakes in using statisticsHow to use statistics for Business Intelligence purposesAnalysis of Survey dataBasic statistics for the layman

Training courses

The training courses are normally charged

Some experiences: -better understanding of users needs and problems-increased interest in statistics among users -more skilled users

Internet and the WebsiteWe are reaching new users through the website

The new users are often non-professionals and they have other needs and requirements than our ordinary users

The new users need more explanations and they expect statistics to be presented with modern techniques

Internet is an interesting challenge and a good opportunity to increase the use of statistics

Some final remarks

As producers we need to listen to our users, and customers and learn more on how they are using statistics

Dialogue with users is important to improve statistics and to make it used efficiently in society

Statistics is worthless if it is not used