Data Dissemination Conditions in the European Statistical System (ESS)

UNECE, Warschau13-15 May 2009

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The questionnaire

10 questions on data dissemination conditions: free of charge or not , customer-specific extractions, microdata, conditions of use and redistribution, …

Sent to 35 statistical institutes, including Eurostat 100% return !!!

(although timeliness in some cases might be improved …)

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1. Publication policy document in EN ?

9 NSIs (26%) YES, 26 (74%) NO

Nevertheless, some replying NO have: policy document in national language(s) on line elements of publication policy on line internal or published policy document, not on line

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2. Types of data disseminated for free ?

Most common: all data to every user for free Usually via web site

Some exceptions:– Privileged access for government, administration (more for

free)– Data with extra production or distribution cost: paper

publications, custom-made data, microdata– Data for commercial use or redistribution– Use of on line data base

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3. Data types and indicators free of charge?

On the average free of charge: Data types (23 NSIs): 89% Indicators (21 NSIs): 93%

Many NSIs are reluctant to provide an estimate, because percentages vary strongly with channel used (web site, paper publication, replying to requests, …)

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4. Charging schemas and price ranges ?

Data themselves are usually free of charge to all

Exceptions or limitations: Production and distribution cost often charged Sometimes complexity and volume of data is a factor Often discount to students, researchers Sometimes privileged access for government or

administration

Link to price list: 19 NSIs EN, 8 more in national language only

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5. Customer-specific extraction service ?

Practically all NSIs have central data extraction service

Some exceptions/add-ons:– Role for statistical units (direct link with clients)– Regional offices– Several central extraction services, depending on data

type or statistical domain

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6. Re-use of data allowed?

Nearly all NSIs allow re-use of data On condition of source being indicated! For personal use and reasonable amounts Respecting copyright on lay-out and similar aspects

Some exceptions:– Some types of data– Explicit permission needed

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7. Redistribution allowed?

Three types:

No restriction, even for commercial purposes (about 25%)

Allowed but with permission or contract, extra charge (about 65%)

Only a few NSIs do not allow redistribution at all

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8. Aspects covered in usage disclaimer

Over half of NSIs have no disclaimer (or maybe one in national language only)

Extent varies from very formal, legal and detailed to minimal (only ©)

Aspects covered: Indication of source (always) Declining or limiting liability for lack of accuracy or

timeliness

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9. Procedures for access to microdata

All but a few NSIs offer access to microdata

Procedures usually involve– Privacy protection guarantee, in many cases based upon

external advice or permission (personal data protection committee)

– Check of validity of request– Drawing up and signing of detailed contract, especially on

confidentiality– Price calculation according to scheme or rules

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10. Other than statistical data sold?

About half of NSIs only sell (or freely provide) statistical data

In all other cases business or similar register information (addresses etc) is sold

Only 2 NSIs commercialize in addition– Surveys for others– Courses– Economic analyses

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Summary: now

Practically all NSIs have a well-established dissemination policies and practices

In many cases, however, they are not clearly summarized in a publicly available policy document

There’s a high degree of convergence in practices across NSIs:– Data are usually available to all free of charge, in principle

and mainly through the web site– Extractions on request are possible, usually at cost price– Microdata are available on the basis of a contract,

safeguarding confidentiality

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Summary: the future Common practices provide basis for ‘Dissemination

Policy Charter’ Other sources are Code of practice and existing policy

documents The 7 Principles (Draft, for discussion):

1. Equal and free access to statistics2. Equal and free access to explanations of statistics3. Respect for privacy4. Announced and simultaneous release5. Free use of statistics6. Free transmission or commercialisation of statistics 7. Free access to microdata for research