Challenges in the Dissemination of Statistical Data The

Challenges in the Dissemination of Statistical Data: The Statistical Institute of Belize Presenter: Diana Castillo Date: June 6, 2013

Introduction • The Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) is a statutory body established in 2007 • National statistical agency • Primary functions: to collect, compile, extract, analyze and release official statistics on Belize • Economic, demographic and social conditions • Stakeholders: Government, international organizations, other NGOs, researchers, general public

Human Resources • Total staff of about 35 persons, including managers and administrative support staff • Statistics produced by Economic Statistics and Census & Surveys departments • Statistics disseminated to the public by the Data Dissemination department

Data Dissemination Department • Data dissemination function has existed at SIB since its establishment • Has only recently (9 months) been formalized into a full department of the Institute • Staffed by: 1 manager 2 Assistant Statisticians II 1 Desktop Publisher � � �

Functions of DD department • Respond to requests for information from stakeholders • Issue releases to the media and the public in keeping with Advance Release Calendar • Prepare and/or format all releases • Format SIB reports in preparation for printing • Ensure the content on SIB’s website is current

Functions of DD department (cont. ) • Prepare promotional and informational items for distribution to the public • Facilitate access to microdata in keeping with SIB’s Microdata Access Policy • Promote a positive public image of the SIB • Provide ongoing support to Economic Statistics department in compilation of trade statistics and consumer price index

Methods of Dissemination • Documents posted to website • Electronic release (via email) to media and subscribers • Major releases also printed in newspapers • Documents distributed on CDs • Major reports (e. g. Census 2010 Report) printed by external printers • Other public forums

Limitations • Human resources: Staff is small relative to the functions of the department Staff turnover, particularly in the key position of Marketing & Communications Officer Existing staff in need of training � � � • Financial resources: SIB’s limited budget does not allow much for public relations

Challenges • Timeliness: Difficulties in meeting stated release dates on Advance Release Calendar • Anticipating user needs: At times falling into the trap of producing and releasing statistics according to what has been done in the past rather than according to evolving user needs. • Outdated statistics: Some data not sufficiently current to satisfy users’ needs

Challenges (cont. ) • Website not user-friendly: Current website is problematic for both users and the SIB • Building public confidence: Lack of public awareness of the work done by SIB, public perception that statistics are controlled by government, and a general mistrust of SIB’s data

Addressing Our Challenges • Timeliness: Increased coordination with other SIB departments to ensure that publication deadlines factor into their internal deadlines Creating a culture within the SIB that recognizes the importance of data dissemination � �

Addressing Our Challenges (cont. ) • Anticipating user needs: Has been slow to come about Presently takes the form of providing feedback to other SIB departments as to what users want Promoting internally culture of customer service Upcoming: Conduct a user satisfaction survey to attempt to quantify level of satisfaction and identify areas for improvement � �

Addressing Our Challenges (cont. ) • Website: Final phases of completing a new SIB website More user-friendly To contain more and updated time series of all major statistics Allows for users to request data via the website Next phase: include a facility by which users can create customized tables from existing databases � � �

Addressing Our Challenges (cont. ) • Building public confidence in SIB: Ensure SIB has a greater public presence Quarterly press releases and/or press conferences on major economic statistics and other reports Reaching out to decision-makers to build awareness of data available from SIB Public appearances by managers and subject-area specialists � �

Addressing Our Challenges (cont. ) Include metadata on new website Offer beginner-level statistics courses as a service to other government departments and in collaboration with University of Belize Further develop and promote Microdata Access Policy � � � Recognizing data dissemination as an equally important function as production of statistics �

THANK YOU. . . QUESTIONS?