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Principles and Practices for a Federal Statistical Agency Sixth Edition (2017) / Chapter Skim
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Principle 2: Credibility among Data Users
Pages 45-46

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From page 45...
... Thus, credibility is enhanced when an agency actively engages users on priorities for data collection and analysis; fully informs users of the strengths and weaknesses of the data; makes data available widely on an equal basis to all users; and exhibits a posture of respect toward and trust in users. That respect includes a willingness to understand and strive to meet users' needs, even though users may not clearly articulate them.
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From page 46...
... An agency's website, as its primary means of communication with users, should have readily accessible information about its policies on such topics as confidentiality and privacy protection; scientific integrity; standards for data quality and for documenting sources of error in data collections and estimation models; procedures and schedules for the release of new and continuing data series; procedures for timely notice of errors and corrections to previously released data; and procedures and schedules for archiving historical data. Links to policies of an agency's parent department or independent agency that clearly specify the authority that is delegated to the statistical agency also enhance credibility and build trust with users.
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Key Terms

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  • previously released
  • engages users
  • credibility derives
  • makes data
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  • gallup survey
  • actively engages
  • data users
  • documenting sources

  • data collections
  • undeniably challenging
  • public trust
  • timely notice
  • parent department

  • equal basis
  • archiving historical
  • estimation models
  • informs users
  • data quality


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