FCDO statistics: statement on quality
Published 19 December 2023
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fcdo-statistics-statement-on-quality/fcdo-statistics-statement-on-quality
This document sets out the FCDO’s approach to data quality in accordance with the Code of Practice for Statistics (‘the Code’) to support its pillars of trustworthiness, quality, and value and provide confidence in our statistical outputs.
The Code defines quality in terms of their fitness for purpose – that statistics fit for their intended use, are based on appropriate data and methods, and are not materially misleading.
Achieving good quality requires FCDO statisticians to use their skilled professional judgement on how to collect, prepare, analyse and publish statistics and data in a way that meets the needs of people who want to use the statistics.
To achieve this, we will aim to:
- ensure our statistics are based on appropriate data and methods
- maintain clear channels of communication with our data suppliers to ensure we are aware of any changes to the data collection or processing system and fully understand its impact
- ensure consistent standards for measurement and validation are in place
- carry out proportionate independent quality assurance on our statistics and processes
- proactively identify actions to minimise risk to quality
- clearly communicate the quality of the statistics we produce
- Routinely review user requirements and address any concerns around data quality,
- comply with data protection requirements and best practice policies set out by the Government Statistical Service (GSS)
The FCDO publishes Statistics on International Development. These statistics are accredited Official Statistics that have been independently reviewed by the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR) (September 2019) and confirmed to comply with the professional standards of trustworthiness, quality and value in the Code.
All other Statistics at FCDO voluntarily comply with the Code. This reflects our commitment to the principles underling the Code and gives users of our statistics confidence that our data are of good quality, useful for supporting decisions, and well respected.
The following statement explains how our non-official statistics voluntarily comply with the Code.
Further details on data quality in FCDO statistical outputs can be found in the relevant publication.