SADC Course in Statistics Introduction to the module and the sessions Module I4, Sessions 1 and 2

SADC Course in Statistics

Introduction to the module and the sessions

Module I4, Sessions 1 and 2

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Learning Objectives for the module

•

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Module contents

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Sessions 1 and 2

• Reading and writing reports

• You learn how to write reports

• By looking at examples of reports

• that have been produced

• Report is any product

• It may be a written report

• or a Powerpoint presentation

• or a play, or broadcast or a web page

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Learning Objectives

From these two sessions you should

• Recognise the importance of good reporting

• Identify instances of good reports

• Take the key messages from a report

• Identify characteristics of a good report

• Suggest different ways of reporting

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Activities

1. This presentation

2. Myths about development• An entertaining statistical film• That makes important statistical points

3. Principles of official statistics• Reading the report• Learning from how it is written

4. MDG reports

5. Zambia climate change reports

6. Data information over the web

7. Plan the web study

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The importance of good reporting

• Suppose you have been funded for a project

• A survey• Which you do• But find the reporting difficult• And then move to another job

• So there is no report

• What was then the value of the study?• Almost zero?

• And what of the people who responded• Their time was wasted

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Compare to getting funds to build a road

• You do the survey• You engage the contractors• You dig up the old road• And then move to another job

• So there is no road

• We are helping build the “information road”• Which is needed• To support good development

• What is the difference?• In both cases the funds were wasted

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Sometimes the road is substandard

• Usually there is a report at the end• And usually the road IS built

• But it may be sub-standard• Written quickly at the end• After a short analysis• Because other projects have started• And you have passed the deadline

• Then much of the value is still wasted

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Good reporting is crucial

•And good reporting is done in parallel• To a comprehensive and critical analysis

•You owe it to the people who gave their time• Often without any reward• And to the enumerators• Who often work very hard• And rarely see the results of their labours• But are so quickly criticised if they ever fall short

•You owe it to those who need the information• As well as to those who funded the work

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Activity 2: Good reporting can be exciting

• This video explores myths about development

• It is a statistical video

• And most people don’t like statistics• But the do like this video• And they learn from it• As we will

• Here we have 2 objectives– Learn the messages about myths of development– Use this video as an example of reporting statistics

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A quiz – in the video

• Which country in the pair has higher infant mortality?

• The countries in each pair are different• One country has double the infant mortality of the

other

1. Sri Lanka Turkey2. Poland South Korea3. Malaysia Russia4. Pakistan Vietnam5. Thailand South Africa

• How many did you get right?• The video will tell you

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Practical and video

• Now watch the video

• Twice!

• Follow the tasks in the practical – and report on the items given

• You should find it fun– and it has powerful messages!

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Activity 3: The principles of official statistics

• This was a survey

• Of the 10 principles of Official Statistics

• It was reported to a UN meeting in 2004

• It is an example that shows all reports can be improved

• we discussed improvements to Table 1 and Table 2• suggestions for improvements to table 1 are in CAST

• If UN reports can be improved• Then it is also Ok for you• to suggest improvements to your reports

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Practical work

• The audience was clear• the UN representatives at the meeting in 2004

• So did the report “do the job”?

• Which was to evaluate• the extent of adoption of the principles• enable further actions to be taken if needed• and (possibly) publicise the principles

• See the practical – Activity 3

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Activity 4: Climate change in Zambia

• The case study on climate change in Zambia– used a range of dissemination methods

• Power point presentation for FAO and NGO staff• Report to the NGO• Case study to support improved teaching of statistics• Short video (used in Module B2), on data management

– and• Radio broadcasts giving information for farmers• Radio play to emphasise the message• Radio advert to emphasise the message• Village plays

• The radio and plays were organised• by the National Met Service• with funding partly by the regional government

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Scene from a village play

By Durton Nanja: Regional director of National Met Service

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Reporting• The radio broadcasts

– were a series of 24 weekly programmes from August 2004 to March 2005 presented in the local language.

• The programmes comprised half-hourly slots– starting with a 15-minute discussion on a particular

topic such as planting date.

• This was followed by a short 'commercial' break– on the same topic

• Then ended with a 15-minute play – emphasising the key points from the discussion.

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Practical

• Study the pages • on reporting• using the radio

• Consider whether there are similar activities

• in your country

• And what topics could be covered • in this way.

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Activity 5: Reporting the MDGs

• In 2007 we were halfway• in time• to the date of the MDGs

• The MDG Africa update• was also a press release• with pictures • and graphs

• There was also a progress table-chart

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The chart/table

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The press release – primary education

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Example – one country

On www.undp.org/mdg/goodpractice/Ethiopia-casestudy.org

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Practical

• Is the general MDG report effective• as a press release?

• Are the graphs “good practice?

• Could this be used• in your country?

• Or could you adapt, so it relates more• to the situation • in your country

• What is available for your country• on a website• or downloaded for study

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Discussion

• You have seen a wide variety of reports

• To give you ideas• So you can evaluate reports in later sessions• And suggest how reports might be prepared

• Are there particular reports• That you found impressive?• or where you can suggest improvements?

• What reports have you seen in your country

• How do they compare?

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Learning objectives again

Are you now able to:

• Recognise the importance of good reporting

• Identify instances of good reports

• Take the key messages from a report

• Identify characteristics of a good report

• Suggest different ways of reporting

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