I'm writing a short critique of the White Paper for the Radstats Journal.
I'd welcome comments on this outline.
On the positive side the critique would discuss the role of the proposed
Statistics Commission one of whose most important functions would be to
advise on the scope of National Statistics. The critique would examine
the concept of National Statistics in comparison with the Rayner doctrine
that statistics should be produced primarily for government needs. The
critique would discuss the extent to which the concept of National
Statistics might meet the need of users outside central government. The
Statistical Commission could provide a channel for establishing criteria for
the inclusion in, or exclusion from National Statistics. The critique would
point to ways in which the concept of National Statistics might develop
under the influence of the Statistics Commission.
The critique would point to two strategic weaknesses in the White Paper.
First the White Paper emphasises the role of statistics for the assessment
of the performance of government but fails to acknowledge any limitations in
this role. There is no acknowledgement that official statistics typically
monitor the activities of governmental agencies rather than the social
conditions they purport to describe. There is no acknowledgement that
official statistics are an organisational product and that the production
processes and procedures are susceptible to being influenced by the very
policies that they are designed to assess.
The second strategic weakness is that emphasis on the role of statistics in
assessing the performance of government fails to acknowledge the need for
statistics for policy making. The White Paper says little or nothing about
statistics that would indicate the condition and prospects of society.
There is no distinction between government and users' needs for statistics
for decision making and the need for statistics about social problems that
might contribute to the development of new policies.
I would welcome comments on this outline, suggestions for examples to
illustrate its themes, and offers of assistance or collaboration.
The deadline for submission for the next issue of the Journal is 17th
December.
Ray Thomas, Social Sciences, Open University
Email: [log in to unmask]
Tel: 01908-679081 Fax: 01908-550401
Post: 35 Passmore, Milton Keynes MK6 3DY
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|