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Big data, including administrative data, is seen as a new data source for official statistics especially given the increasing difficulty of getting acceptable response rates in sample surveys. It might be used directly or perhaps with the use of models to adjust for shortcomings in the big data. Hybrid estimates using complementary survey data are another technique for overcoming these shortcomings. To make decisions on how big data might be used, we need to understand the nature of the errors in the big data source. The paper describes an Error Framework for the analysis of errors in big data and hybrid estimates. The paper also describes the circumstances under which hybrid estimates will provide more accurate estimates than big data in isolation or survey data. A case study is provided to illustrate the application of hybrid estimates in practice. A potential application of hybrid estimation is also described to address the upward biases that often exist in epidemiological modelling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Big data, including administrative data, is seen as a new data source for official statistics especially given the increasing difficulty of getting acceptable response rates in sample surveys. It might be used directly or perhaps with the use of models to adjust for shortcomings in the big data. Hybrid estimates using complementary survey data are another technique for overcoming these shortcomings. To make decisions on how big data might be used, we need to understand the nature of the errors in the big data source. The paper describes an Error Framework for the analysis of errors in big data and hybrid estimates. The paper also describes the circumstances under which hybrid estimates will provide more accurate estimates than big data in isolation or survey data. A case study is provided to illustrate the application of hybrid estimates in practice. A potential application of hybrid estimation is also described to address the upward biases that often exist in epidemiological modelling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reviews several articles including "Producing official statistics via voluntary surveys " the National Household Survey in Canada" by by Marc Hamel and Normand Laniel, "The Impact of Non-response on Survey Quality" by Jelke Bethlehem and Bart Bakker and "Voluntary and Volunteer Surveys in US" by Phil Kott are presented.

A pre-requisite for consistent global measurement is strong global statistical infrastructure. A lot of improvements have been made in recent years and there are signs of increasing collaboration. However, there is plenty of scope for improvement and this paper makes a number of suggestions on how to further improve global statistical infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The United Nations Statistical Commission commenced its life 60 years ago. It was conceived and implemented by some of the world's finest statisticians of the time and indeed of all time. It provided a fine start to the development of official statistics in the post World War 2 period. National statistics have evolved substantially over the last 60 years. The paper explores the main developments that have led to the major improvements in official statistics. It also describes the major challenges for the future, both for national and international statistical agencies. Effective leadership is crucial and there are areas for improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information about several papers discussed at a symposium on the evolution of National Statistical System is presented. Statisticians were discussing themes which were important to the autonomy of National Statistical Offices, National Statistical Systems, the increasing importance of administrative data in National Statistical Systems, data access and co-ordination across the Global Statistical System. The symposium featured several statisticians including Ben Kiregyera and Hallgrimur Snorrasan.

Service industries are becoming an increasingly important part of our economies. Not surprisingly there is a corresponding interest in statistics about service industries. The challenges in compiling statistics are often very different to other industries. This paper describes the programme for service industry statistics in the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It also describes some of the more interesting developments in Australia – new presentations in statistics such as satellite accounts; globalisation statistics including the activities of foreign affiliates; knowledge based economy and society statistics; direct volume measurement particularly for largely non-market industries such as health and education services; and price statistics for service industries such as finance, telecommunications and computer software services. These statistics are very important for measuring productivity for example. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]