Front Matter Page
Statistics Department
Contents Page
I. Introduction
II. Background to the Framework
A. The Stimuli
B. A Two-Pronged Approach
III. The Emerging Framework
A. The Generic Quality Framework
B. The Dataset-Specific Frameworks
C. Moving Forward: Responding to and Seeking Further Comment
“Lite” versions of the framework and summaries
Applications of the frameworks
IV. The Work Ahead
Tables
1. A Nonstatistician’s Diagnostic Preview of the Generic Data Quality Assessment Framework
Boxes
1. The Dimensions of Data Quality in the Assessment Framework
2. Some Applications of the Framework
Annexes
1. Data Quality Assessment Framework—Generic Framework
2. The Relation between the IMF Data Dissemination Initiative and the Data Quality Assessment Framework
3. A Framework for Assessing the Quality of Balance of Payments Statistics
Preface
Introduction
Prerequisites of quality
0.1 Legal and institutional environment
0.1.1 Responsibility for statistics
0.1.2 Data sharing and coordination
0.1.3 Confidentiality of respondents’ data
0.1.4 Statistical reporting
0.2 Resources
0.2.1 Staff, financial, and computing resources
0.2.2 Cost-effectiveness
0.3 Quality awareness
0.3.1 Processes to focus on quality, to monitor quality, to deal with tradeoffs, and to inform planning
1. Integrity
1.1 Professionalism
1.1.1 Impartial basis
1.1.2 Choices of sources and methods
1.1.3 Comment on erroneous interpretation and misuse of statistics
1.2 Transparency
1.2.1 Terms and conditions available to the public
1.2.2 Internal government access prior to release
1.2.3 Products identified
1.2.4 Advance notice of major changes
1.3 Ethical standards
1.3.1 Guidelines for staff behavior
2. Methodological soundness
2.1 Concepts and definitions
2.1.1 Concepts and definitions in balance of payments statistics
2.2 Scope
2.2.1 Scope of balance of payments statistics
2.3 Classification/sectorization
2.3.1 Classification/sectorization in balance of payments statistics
2.4 Basis for recording
2.4.1 Accrual basis
2.4.2 Market prices
3. Accuracy and reliability
3.1 Source data
3.1.1 Comprehensive data collection programs
3.1.2 Source data reasonably approximate the definitions, scope, classification, timing of recording, and valuation required
3.1.3 Timely
3.2 Statistical techniques
3.2.1 Data compilation procedures employ sound statistical methods
3.3 Assessment and validation
3.3.1 Source data routinely assessed
3.3.2 Main intermediate results validated
3.3.3 Statistical discrepancies investigated
4. Serviceability
4.1 Relevance
4.1.1 Processes to monitor
4.2 Timeliness and periodicity
4.2.1 Periodicity
4.2.2 Timeliness
4.3 Consistency
4.3.1 Consistency overtime
4.3.2 Internal consistency
4.3.3 Consistency with other sources and/or statistical frameworks
4.4 Revision policy and practice
4.4.1 Stages of revision and scheduling of release
4.4.2 Identification of preliminary data
4.4.3 Analysis of revisions
5. Accessibility
5.1 Data accessibility
5.1.1 Accessibility and interpretation
5.1.2 Dissemination format
5.1.3 Pre-announced schedule
5.1.4 Simultaneous release to users
5.1.5 Non-confidential sub-aggregates
5.2 Metadata accessibility
5.2.1 Documentation on concepts, scope, classification, basis for recording, data sources, and statistical techniques
5.2.2 Levels of detail
5.3 Assistance to users
5.3.1 Service and support
4. Summaries of Assessments
Preface
Work on this framework for assessing the quality of balance of payments statistics is part of a larger project underway in the Statistics Department of the International Monetary Fund. This draft is being circulated for comment. Comments are welcome in any form; see the contact persons identified on the cover.
A Framework for Assessing the Quality of Balance of Payments Statistics was developed by a team that consisted of Thomson Fontaine, Michelle Hassine, Natalia Ivanik, John Motala, and Beatrice Timmermann.