16 February 2004	Monday	24 Zilhaj 1424

More than 100 years ago H. G. Wells said: "Statistical thinking will one day be as necessary for efficient citizenship as the ability to read and write". In Pakistan, statistics is very little known for several reasons.

The fore-most being the low-level of literacy. Another reason is the absence of a competitive market. Lastly but not in the least, negative use of statistics (abuse of statistics in various mass media channels).

Moreover, we as a nation do not believe in statistical information. Most political workers and leaders pressurise government for allocation of development funds for their own areas but decisions on the basis of statistical information are seldom taken in such matters.

Numerous examples of establishment of schools and colleges are there where no students are available to utilize such facilities. Not only this, even "awami marakiz" were built without consulting any statistical feasibility.

Statistics collected directly or indirectly through human beings are of two types: i) personal/family information and, ii) information regarding offices, shops/industries.

The first sort of information is regarded as 'personal' and people usually do not want to share it with others. However so far as the second type of information is concerned, people think that would not be of any benefit to them.

It is the need of the hour to impress upon the people that they are member of community/city/country, and as such personal information also belong to macro units, because the community/city/country would like to know everything in totality.

In order to communicate with masses about statistical information, the agencies responsible for collecting and disseminating such information must make efforts to make people aware of their responsibilities in this regard.

Simultaneously, they be informed of some of the specific findings and uses of statistics generated through their participation. Through the dissemination of statistics a perfect relationship between statistical agencies and respondents could be created.

Dissemination: The three basic questions any statistical office must ask itself are: why disseminate?; what to disseminate? and, how to disseminate?Why disseminate?: It's been said that statistics that are not used are of no use to anyone. Therefore it could be argued that dissemination is fundamental to the way statistical body operates.

Firstly, of course, it has a public duty to disseminate its output. Any national statistical office (NSO) is funded from the public purse and as such public has a right to expect fruits from its investment.

But much more than that, a statistical system based on integrity and transparency is a building-block of a democratic society. The transparency that dissemination brings in its wake serves to safeguard the independence of the NSO.

If most of what it produces is readily accessible - together with the methods used to compile such statistics- this makes it so much harder for those who might be inclined to manipulate or misrepresent the work of official statisticians.

Dissemination also acts as a vital barometer of an NSO's efficiency and effectiveness. If the statistics are widely used to good purpose, this demonstrates their worth; if they are' not, appropriate conclusions can be drawn and adjustments made accordingly.

Then there is the 'pay-back' argument. Many people in society - be they ordinary citizens or businessmen - contribute to the NSO's work by supplying the data from which statistics are compiled. Often, this is their statutory duty; sometimes it may be voluntary.

In either case, it increases their willingness to cooperate with the NSO if they can see how their contributions are used and perhaps even derive benefit from the statistics offered. issemination also serves to justify the NSO's existence and future expansion.

What to disseminate?: The obvious answer to this question is that any statistics that are self-evidently significant from an economic or social point of view. This should encompass almost all the NSO's output - as stated above, and if the data are of no significance, why produce them?

'Clearly, a higher priority will be given to data that are of national importance, key economic indicators on inflation, employment, trade etc, not to mention census results. But beyond that, many NSO's now see the value of disseminating statistics that focus on a topic of particular public concern or interest - such as the changing role of women or children's health.

Data on particular sectors of industry can be of particular value in furthering economic advancement. Statistical studies of the environment can serve to concentrate society's minds on how to resolve the conflict between rapid economic growth and preserving the natural world.

The potential for dissemination is enormous but the key criteria are: is it relevant? And is it interesting?How to disseminate?: The key elements are: keep it as simple as possible and user-friendly, and remember the 'audience'.

Effective dissemination needs to be supported by publicity and marketing - but the best 'advertisement' is the quality of the product. Another important consideration is a pricing policy.

Will the statistical outputs or products you disseminate be free or subject to charge? If the latter, will the cost simply cover production expenses or include a 'profit' element? How do such considerations chime with the NSO's 'public duty' considerations? Some argue that putting a price on a statistical product makes people value it more - such questions should also be part of the planning process.

Something in return: Giving society something back for its help in compiling official statistics is extremely important. Every day, countries face the challenge of ensuring the widest possible dissemination of statistics at lowest possible cost.

Information technologies now provide new opportunities for meeting this goal. Electronic publishing costs less than traditional methods and takes much less time.

On-line dissemination of information allows many more people to be informed, while the mass media play an important dissemination role among the general population.

Dissemination through the news media is a prerequisite to ensuring that statistics are free from political manipulation, and to encouraging their use by all sectors of society.

Separation from the political process is vital for public confidence in official statistics. NSOs cannot achieve this alone. Whatever 'rules' or legislation are in place, politicians will still try to maintain some kind of hold over statistics. The news media are one of the most important guarantors of statistical integrity.

Key elements: It is possible to summarise the key elements in an NSO's relationship with the news media in the following way. By definition, these considerations also establish the official statisticians' general position in the national fabric:

* statistics themselves should be of highest quality - beyond reproach.

* clear separation between statistics and the political process.

* clear rules for release of data to the news media e.g.a statistics act.

* a head of the NSO is recognized as independent, who has access to the head of government, and who is prepared to resign if the integrity of statistics is threatened.

* a culture in which there would be a public outcry if the above happened.

* an advisory committee - for added protection.

* no connection between statistical news releases and political comment.

* an appreciation that the best way of protecting the integrity of official statistics is by publicizing them as much as possible through the news media.

The news release is accepted as the best way of disseminating statistics to the news media - on paper or on-line. One crucial consideration - especially in relation to statistical integrity issues - is some form of advance notice of release dates and timing of releases.