I've just completed a submission for a PhD by publication on the functions
of statistics about society.  

The covering paper puts forward the theory than the principal function is to
support organisational coordination, and discusses the implications in
various areas.

A summary of the 25,000 word covering paper is given below.    I'll send a
copy to anyone who is willing to comment on the paper - however briefly.
Those comments could be of great value in preparation for the examination -
which probably won't be sooner than a couple of months.

If you would like a copy, please email me with your postal address.

Ray Thomas, Social Sciences, Open University
Email: [log in to unmask]
Tel: 44-1908-679081   Fax: 44-1908-550401
Post:  35 Passmore, Tinkers Bridge, 
Milton Keynes MK6 3DY, England
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THE FUNCTIONS OF STATISTICS ABOUT SOCIETY - AN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The covering paper puts forward the coordination theory -  that the
principal function of statistics about society is to support organisational
coordination.   The implications of the theory are discussed in a number of
different areas:

ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURES:
The coordination theory contradicts the widely held belief that hierarchical
organisational structures can be justified in terms of information flows.   

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS:
Performance indicators, rather than raise standards, result in conformity
and the derogation of unmeasured aspects of performance. 

ECONOMIC STATISTICS:
The importance of the coordination functions inhibits recognition and
discussion of the limitations of economic statistics as indicators of
economic welfare, and hinders development of alternatives to conventional
economic statistics.

UNEMPLOYMENT STATISTICS:
The theory helps to reveal the strengths and limitations of the Count of
Claimants and the LFS unemployment series, and helps to explain the failure
of published statistics to identify local concentrations of unemployment.   

SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH:
For social science research the paper argues for investigation of the
unwitting evidence given by statistical systems alongside with the evidence
given wittingly by the statistics.   The coordination theory helps to
identify the motivations, assumptions, and functions of statistical systems
that provide the unwitting evidence.

POLICY MAKING:
The coordination theory is used to support the argument that statistics are
policy-conforming in their influence and rarely contribute to making policy.

STATISTICAL NEEDS:
Government statisticians are not expected to identify statistical needs in
anticipation of policy developments.   To counter the policy-conforming
influence of statistics the paper argues that government statisticians
should be public servants with responsibilities to society rather than civil
servants with responsibilities limited to the government of the day.
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