There is much evidence to suggest that timely statistics are needed by users so that their decisions better reflect current economic and social circumstances. Users require statistics that are fit for purpose and robust which means Statisticians often have to balance timeliness with accuracy. Typically, the first publication of a data series will provide a timely source of evidence. However, this data may be provisional and subject to some degree of uncertainty. Revisions to initial estimates are an inevitable consequence of the trade-off between timeliness and reliability. Revisions to estimates that are considered final may also occur for a variety of reasons.
A published general revisions policy helps to make revisions procedures more transparent and comprehensible to users of official statistics. This makes the revisions policy an important element of the communication with users of official statistics. This document outlines the General Revisions Policy for the Central Statistics Office (CSO). The policy also serves as a frame of reference for documenting current revisions practices at an individual statistical product level.
Go to: Guiding Principles
CSO publication, 09
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