Quality Certification of Statistical Information and Access to Data

Transcription

1 Quality Certification of Statistical Information and Access to Data The Quality Policy of the Italian National Statistical Institute Istat has built up and increasingly strengthened its Quality Policy over the last 20 years. As known, implementing a Quality Policy is a long term process. It requires a great initial investment in resources and a fine-tuning phase before it can be considered stably achieved. The commitment of Istat leadership has been a crucial factor in promoting and supporting the quality process. Centralized activities for quality management have been developed and reinforced leading to a systematic activity for quality improvement as of the beginning of The efforts and the investment are now being rewarded. On the one hand Istat can rely today on the availability of methodologies and tools for improving products and processes, on the other hand on tools and quality measures for supporting the decision making process and the definition of strategies. Istat Quality Policy is fully integrated in the International and European framework: it is inspired to fundamental Principles shared with the majority of statistically advanced National Statistical Institutes and it is harmonised with Eurostat definitions and guidelines. Istat Quality Policy is quite structured and comprehensive. Thus, in the following the main characteristics are briefly described. Product and Process Quality Improvement Policy Istat Quality Policy has a strong process orientation. As it is well known, improving production processes is a way to enhance their quality. Notably, preventing and reducing non sampling errors can be efficiently achieved through an accurate planning and a careful monitoring of all production phases. Process quality control started in the 90s. Methodologies, techniques and tools (such as software and information systems) for supporting statistical activity were developed by centralized methodological units and extensively disseminated internally. As a result, process control is now consolidated and integrated into the statistical production activity. In order to improve process quality, efforts have been addressed to reducing process variability, that is the additional variability due to the fact that different people perform the same operations in different ways or due to the use of not well designed and tested procedures and instruments. Guidelines for implementing process quality control systems have been developed. A process quality control system comprises the whole set of actions and measures undertaken in order to prevent non sampling errors, to monitor processes and to calculate quality indicators which are a by-product of the production process. In practice, greater investments were made where processes showed more weaknesses, with interesting differences among the various statistical areas. As a consequence, within household surveys major investments concerned the training, supervision and monitoring of the interviewers employed in PAPI, CAPI and CATI surveys. With regard to business surveys, where mainly mail surveys were adopted, efforts were addressed to the implementation of response monitoring systems and follow-up protocols, as well as to multimode techniques with an increasing use of web surveys. As already mentioned, a great 1

2 achievement is that the process control activity is regularly performed and can be considered integrated in the production process activity. Interesting and innovative experiences regarded the introduction of quality control tools as suggested in the total quality management approach. In particular, control charts have been applied in CATI surveys for analysing and summarizing several quality indicators collected for monitoring interviewers performances and also the computer assisted coding of textual variables. Tools for reducing the unnecessary variation that can be developed and applied at Institute level are the standardization of methodologies and procedures, the transferring of know-how and the internal dissemination of recommended practices. In the last years Istat has developed several standardization tools. The purposes and features of such tools were tailored to internal needs. Thus, they evolved following the changes and the emerging needs of the Institute. Mile stones were a series of methodological manuals devoted to the main phases of the survey production process (Manuali di Tecniche di Indagine, 1989) and on line guidelines for the Italian National Statistical System (i.e. Linee guida metodologiche per rilevazioni statistiche, 2000). Recently, Istat has actively worked in partnership with other National Statistical Institutes for the development of handbooks of recommended practices harmonized at European level. These handbooks originate from a LEG (Leadership Group) on Quality recommendations, approved by the SPC (Statistical Programme Committee) and were co-financed by Eurostat. Specifically, Istat coordinated two projects: the first produced in 2006 the Handbook of recommended practices for questionnaire design and testing in the European Statistical System, QDET, the second will develop a Handbook of recommended practices for editing and imputation in cross-sectional business surveys in the ESS, EDIMBUS by June At the same time, Istat invested resources in the development and promotion of generalised software. Indeed, this is another way for achieving the adoption of consolidated and comparable approaches in the Institute. Since the mid 90s, generalised software has been either developed by Istat or acquired from other National Statistical Institutes, tested and implemented. The generalised software, embedding sound methodologies, is now available for the main phases of the survey production process (sampling and estimation, editing and imputation, automatic coding, statistical disclosure control). A more recent activity concerned the development of software for testing and evaluating the impact of complex procedures such as editing and imputation procedures (e.g. software IDEA). Istat has always been committed to releasing high quality data through an intensive action for preventing non sampling errors and for measuring their impact on final estimates (Product Quality). Nevertheless, as internationally experienced and recognized, the most difficult task is related to the measurement of non sampling errors having to face both methodological drawbacks and limitations due to high implementation costs. Recently, the release of preliminary estimates has increased in order to comply with the timeliness restrictions required by European regulations. At the same time, the use of measures of preliminary estimates accuracy (indicators of revisions) is also increasing and is becoming systematic. In response to Institutional users needs of data with a high level of geographical detail, methodological research on small area estimation has been carried on (e.g. estimates for local labour information systems). With regard to the measurement of errors, the estimation of sampling errors is a current activity, also supported by generalised software developed by Istat. For non sampling errors, in many surveys data are 2

3 treated in order to reduce the bias on final estimates due to total non responses and coverage errors by reweighting the sample units weights. The evaluation of the impact of non responses on the variability of final estimates is still in an experimental phase. The measurement of response errors was usually limited to the post-census evaluation surveys, but it has been recently extended to some sampling surveys (i.e. the survey on the structure and production of agricultural holdings). A highly significant component of Istat Quality Policy is the product and process documentation. Such activity has been systematically carried out in the last five years and has required a substantial investment from a technological, financial and expertise point of view. Centralised information system are implemented respectively for the storage of data (ARMIDA), metadata (SDOSIS, SIDI) and quality indicators (SIDI). In order to guarantee the alignment and harmonisation of the information managed in the previous systems, a system for the exchange of metadata, named INTERMETA, has also been developed. This approach implies not only considerable investments for the design and development of these systems but also a constant care for the maintenance and updating of the information systems and their content. In particular, the Information System for Survey Documentation (SIDI) is devoted to supporting the quality activity performed by survey managers as well as the centralised evaluation activity of Istat processes quality. To this purpose, SIDI manages metadata and standard quality indicators and is equipped with a rich set of enquiry functionalities. SIDI has been implemented in 2002 and has now reached a very good level of documentation for both metadata and quality indicators: 197 surveys and 88 secondary studies are documented; quality indicators on timeliness are present for all surveys and are regularly updated; quality indicators on non response and coverage errors, revisions and coherence between preliminary and final estimates are calculated for about 50% of eligible surveys. Respondents are a valuable resource for every National Statistical Institute: their cooperation is vital since they represent the primary input source of statistical information. Respect for data suppliers is a key point of Istat Quality Policy. Directives of Istat Governing Board have been addressed to reducing respondent burden especially in the business sector and specific projects involving several Divisions have been launched. Main tasks are the definition and measurement of the statistical burden on enterprises and the methodological research for the coordinated sample selection of businesses in different surveys. To complete this presentation, the commitment to increase and disseminate a quality culture at all levels within the Institute should be mentioned. A series of different and complementary initiatives have been planned and put in place: e.g. internal seminars, systematic training programmes for Istat personnel on quality issues, the creation of a network of quality pilots. The quality pilots have been trained in quality issues, in the documentation activity and in the use of SIDI. They work in the production processes but are in close contact with the centralized unit in charge of quality management. At the moment the quality network counts on 80 people. Internal quality audits have been launched in 2006 by Istat Governing Board. Quality audits are an important tool for improving product and process quality. Indeed, quality audits highlight processes strengths and weaknesses. Thus, they represent a starting point for improvement actions as well as for the dissemination of good practices. The quality audit will concern statistical processes and will verify the adequacy of methodologies, procedures and technologies adopted as well as the level of quality reached by the main products and the main survey phases. In this framework, a procedure for certifying the quality of new surveys will be also defined and implemented. 3

4 Istat policy for communicating quality to users Istat has defined a policy for communicating quality to external users in order to increase the transparency of statistical processes and the relevance of statistical information. Directives of Istat Governing Board in 2004 and 2006 have further promoted this activity. Communicating quality concerns not only providing information on data quality (e.g. indirect quality indicators or direct quality measures) but also supporting the users in retrieving information by providing information on the survey content (e.g. metadata, methodological notes). Moreover, the communication on quality needs to be adequate to the type of dissemination channels (paper publications, databases, web site). Istat developed different but integrated communication tools in order to better satisfy the needs of the various typologies of users by exploiting the rich information content centrally managed in the SIDI information system. These highly integrated communication tools are: the information system SIQual, especially designed to meet the needs of external users, that is accessible from Istat Web site and is being translated into English ( the information subsystem ASIMET, developed for producing standard, coherent and validated Methodological Notes of the surveys and secondary studies included in the Italian Statistical Yearbook; the Quality Declaration for documenting, according to Eurostat quality dimensions and following a template, the quality of statistical products (i.e. outputs of surveys or secondary studies); the Documentation List for standard and detailed documentation of survey methodology and survey process. Furthermore, the Quality Declaration has been identified as the primary tool for disseminating information both qualitative and quantitative to the users who will access the web site for statistical data. At the same time, the Documentation List, complemented with the product quality described in the Quality Declaration, will be the standard documentation for monothematic paper publications, while the Methodological Notes, available only for the Italian Statistical Yearbook, will be generalised to multisources paper publications. At the moment, Istat is defining Quality Guidelines for disseminating Quality Indicators to users. In particular, Istat is identifying a set of standard quality indicators which take into account the different types of production processes and which cover the different informative needs of users as well as the type of dissemination tool. Recent European Activities for Quality As already mentioned, Istat Quality Policy cannot disregard the initiatives for quality undertaken by Eurostat and other International Organisations. Indeed, the European requirements for statistical harmonization are gaining importance and enlarging the area of expertise (products, variables, classifications, methodologies, timeliness, and so on). Thus, it is necessary to broaden the vision and consider the Quality of the System where Istat is a part of enlarged statistical systems (both national and international). It should be noted that besides the National Statistical Institutes, also the principal European Institutions (e.g. Eurostat, European Central Bank, European Commission) are devoting an increasing attention to the 4

5 quality of the European Statistical System. As a consequence, there is an emerging need for evaluating and improving the quality of the European Statistical System. In response to an invitation from the Ecofin Council, in May 2005, the European Commission adopted a Communication on the independence, integrity and accountability of the National and Community statistical authorities and a Recommendation promulgating the European Statistics Code of Practice elaborated and adopted by the National Statistical Institutes of the Member States in the context of the SPC. Eurostat and the Member States started a considerable process of self-assessment against the Principles of the Code of Practice. A report was sent to the Ecofin Council, in spring A programme of peer reviews in all Member States over a 3 year period was then initiated under the coordination of Eurostat. Istat was the first National Statistical Institute to be audited in October Istat was aware of the potentialities of the peer-review and promoted it. Indeed, Istat strongly believes that transparency and openness are key values for a National Statistical Institute and offer great opportunities for improvement. It is worth noting that these considerations are to be extended to whole Italian National Statistical System (Sistan). Indeed, the compliance against the Principles of the Code of Practice involves the National Statistical Systems of the Member States. Even if the complete extension to Sistan will require some additional time, it is nevertheless a great chance for improving the quality of Italian Official Statistics. Quality is a multi-dimensional concept. It can be defined with reference to a set of requirements or characteristics. As mentioned, Istat has adopted Eurostat Quality definition that comprises the following dimensions: relevance, accuracy, timeliness and punctuality, accessibility and clarity, comparability, coherence. In presenting Istat Quality Policy, some of these components have already been commented in a direct or indirect way. In the following, the attention will be focused on data accessibility, and the current strategy adopted by Istat will be described. As previously discussed, for some components (e.g. accuracy) it is quite difficult for the users to really understand if the data provided satisfy their needs. In this case, however, the users can easily judge to what extent their requirements and expectations are met. Access to official statistics at Istat: state of the art and future perspectives The information achieved through statistical surveys as envisaged for in the National Statistical programme (PSN) is an heritage of the whole community and the Italian National Statistical Institute (Istat) is the main supplier of official statistical information in the country; improving official statistics quality, reliability and accessibility represents Istat constant effort and influential aim. Different information channels guarantee access to official statistics: Istat web site ( the Statistical Information Centres, Istat Library and publications. Through these channels Istat offers several products and services: paper publications, on line publications and tables, indexes and databases, tailored tabular data on request, microdata files, Data Analysis Centre. All these products and services try to offer a balance between the need of society to be informed and of citizens to access statistical information on one side and the right to privacy of respondents on the other. Istat diversifies such products and services keeping into account different user needs according to both information content and restrictions to data access (see Figure 1 below). As the detail of the released data 5

6 increases so does the level of confidentiality need. Therefore, tables and aggregated data are protected applying some data reduction methods and are disseminated to the general public whereas access to microdata is allowed combining data reduction methods and measures for data restriction (signature of a confidentiality agreement, access to data only inside the premises of the Institute, etc). Low detail of information content Low risk of confidentiality breach Dissemination to general public Macrodata High detail of information content High risk of confidentiality breach Restricted access Microdata Figure 1. Access to official statistics: from aggregated results to individual data The following part of the document describes briefly the products and services currently available on the web site and through the traditional forms of dissemination as well as Istat future improvements in the sector of scientific research. On line resources The publishing production of the Institute has gradually increased and now traditional paper publications go alongside with on line databases and information systems; these are usually structured by thematic area and are provided with data tables, a most efficient format in order to timely disseminate the results of surveys or statistical data processing. Istat website: Istat website has been recently deep revised; this enabled a better access to information and also a considerable increase in the site s contents. The site can be rightly considered a real portal of official statistics and can be taken as a starting point for any research of statistical information. Istat website is steadily updated and enriched in its contents thus offering a detailed view on the Institute s activities and accompanying the user in the discovery of the services and products available: through the site it is possible to access several on line databases, to download publications and their related tables, and to obtain information and contact for services dedicated to users. 6

7 Data tables Data tables are data collections disseminated without a regular schedule. They are usually worked out at the end of some surveys and represent a preliminary dissemination of the produced data. Databases and Information Systems Databases and other information systems are structured by topic and supply the user with a comprehensive and accurate vision of the investigated event. Access to databases is free of charge and easily available. They are warehouses where the user can choose the type of data and their detail level according to his needs and work out customized tables. Information systems contain information and data structured in tables that can be downloaded on an electronic sheet. Each database or data collection is provided with meta information (methodologies, classifications, definitions) related to the topic which is being dealt with: 2001 Population and Housing Census Resident population, foreigners, households, cohabiting persons, educational level and professional condition of citizens; amount and structural characteristics of buildings and dwellings. Territorial level: Municipality Industry and Services Census Enterprises, public and non-profit institutions, local units and persons employed by economic branch, classes of persons employed and juridical form. It is possible to compare censuses starting from 1951 onwards. Territorial level: Municipality Census of Agriculture Agricultural holdings, new activities (biological cultures, rural tourism, handicraft), new technologies, land use, irrigation, breeding, mechanical equipment, labour force and market approach. Demo: Demography in Figures Resident population by age, sex and marital status. Information on the main demographical events are also available: births, permits of stay, ageing index, average age, mortality, forecast on resident population. Territorial Indicators Demographic, social, environmental and economic indicators by geographical areas, regions, provinces, regional and provincial capitals. The database is divided into 15 information areas. Coeweb: Statistics on External Trade Imported and exported goods to and from countries trading with Italy. The data are updated monthly and are available from 1991 onwards. Con Istat: Short-Term Statistics 7

8 Over 11,000 time series on prices, enterprises activities, occupation, wages and salaries, external trade and economic accounts. It is possible to make queries by economic branch, product group, item contained in the European Account System. Disability in Figures Number of disabled people, education and school integration, accessible tourism, Down s syndrome and other aspects of disability. The database can also be easily used by disabled people. Regional data-set on Health Public health and health conditions in Italian regions: health status, life styles and risk factors; human resources in the Italian health system, demand for health assistance; demographic, social and economic indicators; health condition of the environment. Health For All Italy Over 4,000 indicators on public health and health conditions: social and demographical context, mortality by cause, chronic and infectious diseases, health status and life expectancy, disability, health assistance, hospital activity, health resources. Short-Term Data on Agriculture and Zootechnics Cultivations, slaughter of red and white meat, livestock import-export, production means, fishery, hunting, flower growing, forestry, milk and dairy products, rural tourism, livestock flows. Statistics for Development Policies Information and territorial indicators supporting the evaluation and planning activities foreseen within structural funds. IMF National Summary Data Page Summary page containing the most updated and significant data produced by Istat, Bank of Italy, Ministry of Economy and Finance, Italian Foreign Exchange Office according to the standards required by IMF DSBB (Dissemination Standards Bulletin Board). Culture in Figures Main cultural institutions, both public and private, services supplied as to publishing sector, libraries, archives, museums, galleries, monuments and excavations, sport, shows, cinema, radio and television. Water Surveys (SIA) Water statistics produced by Istat, in particular data from the 1999 water surveys. Territorial level: Municipality and Drainage area. 8

9 Territorial Information System on Justice All statistics on justice produced by Istat. Main publications, descriptive schedules of statistical surveys, glossary of statistical terms and legal framework are available. Monetary Revaluation Consumer price index for households of white and blue collar (FOI) with the exclusion of tobacco consumption: coefficients of monetary evaluation and percentage variations. Short-Term Data on Prices Statistical indicators on the average time dynamics of prices applied in different market operations and at different marketing stages of the products distributed. Short-Term Data on Contractual Earnings Monthly indicators on contractual earnings based on tabular measures as provided for in national contractual agreements. Traditional dissemination channels Surveys results are published in volumes, collected in series and areas of interest. Some publications are general: the Annual Report contains a documented analysis on the country s emerging problems; the Italian Statistical Yearbook, also available on CD-rom, shows the main statistical tables produced by Istat and by other agencies of the National Statistical System, the Monthly Bulletin of Statistics updates current information monthly. Publishing Sector Istat publications are divided into 9 series answering precise information needs and into 15 information areas, each of them related to the subject dealt with. Series 1. Yearbook: represents the yearly collection of statistical information by survey or sector. 2. Information: supplied with electronic support, collects the results of the different surveys as soon as they are released; also short-term information belongs to this series and is available only in electronic format. 3. Theme: studies in depth demographic, social, environmental or economic subjects. 4. Methods and rules: contains measures and classifications adopted by Istat in carrying out surveys and monographs on applied methodologies in official statistics. 5. Techniques and tools: cope with the management of methodological aspects through tools, technologies and software. 6. Annals of Statistics: published since 1971, they collect historical evidence and elements of institutional and methodological observations useful to scientific debate. 9

10 7. Essays in English: deal with social studies and research with reference to and comparisons with other countries reality. 8. Statistical indicators: manuals accessible to the general public offering in a monographic form an agile indicators inventory on specific subjects supported by pictures, glossaries and comments. 9. Censuses: all publications related to the agricultural census, the housing and population census and the census of industry and services. Information areas 1. General: Monthly Bulletin, Italian Statistical Yearbook, Annual Report, meetings materials and documents, historical and methodological essays. 2. Environment and territory: environment, territory, climatology. 3. Population: Population, marriages, births, deaths, migration flows. 4. Public Health and Social Securities: Public Health, causes of death, welfare services and social securities. 5. Culture: Education, culture, elections, museums and similar institutions. 6. Household and society: Households behaviour (health conditions, reading, consumptions and so on). 7. Public Administration: Public bodies, accounts of local public bodies. 8. Justice: Civil and penal justice, crimes. 9. National Accounts; National and territorial economic accounts. 10. Labour: Employed and unemployed persons, labour disputes, wages and salaries. 11. Prices: Production price index, wholesale prices index, consumer price index. 12. Agriculture: Agriculture, zootechnics, forestry, hunting and fisheries. 13. Industry: Industry excluded construction, building sector, public works. 14. Services: Trade, tourism, transport and communications, credit. 15. External trade: Import and export by sector and country. Statistical Information Centres (CIS) All Istat publications can be found in the Statistical Information Centres (CIS) located on the whole national territory within Istat regional offices. CIS offer expertise for research and customized data tables. The persons employed in the CIS answer data requests as soon as possible offering tailored assistance and advice to each customer. They suggest the most suitable support or channel for easy retrieval and use of the information requested. In the Statistical Information Centres, beside consultation and purchase of all Istat publications, it is possible to take advantage of a wide range of services: 1. Support of specialised personnel for the research and selection of statistical data. 2. Working out of customized statistical data tables. 3. Subscriptions. 4. Support to students graduating or getting a PhD. 5. Queries on databases. 6. Release of official certifications of price indexes and other statistical indicators. The Library Istat library is open to the public and allows immediate access to national and international statistical information. It owns 500,000 volumes and 2,700 periodicals besides an historical archive constituted by 10

11 1,500 volumes published before Besides publications issued by Istat, paper and electronic collections comprise works on statistical and social-economic subjects by Italian and foreign authors, periodical and special publications of NSIs from all over the world, of international bodies (BIT-International Tourism Exchange, FAO, IMF, OECD, UN and so on) and of the main Italian and foreign bodies and institutes. Laws collections and other juridical documents are also available. Services and products for specialised users Istat offers microdata files, services of tailored tabular data and of the Data Analysis Centre (ADELE) to those users who need special data processing or have to use survey microdata for specific researches. Research protocols should be also mentioned for completeness; in fact, although they are not a service for users, they represent a particular type of data access by external subjects cooperating with Istat as experts on specific projects of institutional interest. Customized Data Tables The service of customized data tables is dedicated to those who need information that are not envisaged for in standard dissemination plans and therefore require ad hoc processing on microdata (for example researchers who need particular tables that are not published). In this case, users make an economic contribution to support data processing costs. The results are released abiding by the law protecting statistical confidentiality (art. 9 Legislative Decree 322/89, art. 4 Deontological Code) in the same way of other types of aggregated data release. Microdata Files Microdata files contain microdata sample collections. The anonymity of statistical units, obviously already deprived of direct identifiers, is guaranteed through the application of various statistical methodologies. These essentially reduce the data information content (data reduction) or alter the data content (data perturbation). In this way, re-identification of statistical units is highly improbable. Microdata files are produced for the main Istat surveys on individuals and households. Moreover, microdata files are presently released against payment, for study and research purposes, following a justified request and after having been authorised by Istat President. They also involve the signing of a contract binding the buyer to the respect of the respondent confidentiality (art. 10 Legislative Decree 322/89, art. 7 Deontological Code). The Data Analysis Centre (ADELE) Statistical analysis that need a higher information detail than that available in microdata files or need data from total surveys can be carried out at the Data Analysis Centre (ADELE). Depending on Istat President authorisation (art. 7 Deontological Code), the Institute supply validated microdata from the main Istat surveys without reducing or altering their information content. The Data Analysis Centre, that is presently located within Istat head office in Rome, is provided with work stations through which users can carry out their data processing. To access the service it is necessary to belong to a research institute or a university, submit a research project, apply for Istat President authorisation and sign a contract binding the researchers to keep statistical confidentiality. Once the authorisation has been obtained, the researchers can carry out data processing on the microdata requested. Once the data processing is finished, the output is controlled under the point of view of confidentiality and, in case the control has proven positive, the data 11

12 processing is released to the researchers. Microdata are never released. Furthermore, users can neither input nor output data: these operations can be carried out exclusively by the personnel of the Centre. Research Protocols Research protocols have been introduced with the Deontological Code (art. 7) and envisage the possibility of carrying out joint projects that may also require the use of personal data and are finalised to the achievement of Istat and other research agencies institutional targets. Research protocols are therefore used within projects promoted by the Institute that can in this way make use of the contribution of specific know-how available from external sources; this allows to enrich internal analysis abilities and capitalize the added value obtained through the cooperation with other subjects from the scientific research world. Projects involving research protocols can deal with complex validation processes, new experimental procedures of archives integration or needs for in-depth analysis. One innovation currently being adopted refers to the dissemination modes of the preliminary results of research activities carried out within these protocols. For future protocols the first report containing preliminary results will be released and disseminated in a dedicated series of Istat scientific handbooks. Innovations and future perspectives Istat is currently revising the arrangements for the introduction of new products and services to improve the usability and accessibility of statistical data. The aim is the construction of a new coherent system for access to microdata that recognizes different characteristics and different needs for different type of users. The new products consist of microdata files distinguished by the different detail of information content and by different administrative procedures required for access. The files will be downloadable from the website. With regard to the new services, these will consist in the creation of a Contact Centre that will be the access point for all the requests coming from external users and in a development of the Data Analysis Centre (ADELE) by introducing new on site facilities at Istat regional premises. Remote access to some microdata test files will be experimented. The Contact Centre The Contact Centre that will be set up at Istat will represent an interface to access the services offered by the National Statistical Institute. Users requests will be processed by qualified personnel of the Contact Centre that will be able to guide them towards the most appropriate service: tailored tables on request; microdata files; Data Analysis Centre. The purpose of the Contact Centre is to unify the access points currently available; this will reduce the time spent by users to find the right channel and optimize Istat resources, avoiding the duplication of answers. Microdata files The masked microdata file (also known as File standard) is currently the only microdata product released by Istat. It is available to the general public by paying a price representing a cost reimbursement. Given its public character, data reduction methods have to be applied in order to protect the file. Consequently, for some research purposes data may result useless. Istat will therefore produce different files varying in data contents and availability. The two main types of files will be the Public Use File (PUF) and the Microdata File for Research (MFR). 12

13 Public Use Files (PUF) will be produced for the most important social survey with a limited information content (in terms of geographical details and other relevant nomenclature) and will be available to the general public following a simple request procedure. Microdata Files for Research (MFR) will contain detailed data and will be available only for research purposes. The MFRs will be released under the approval of a research project and the signature of an agreement following a procedure similar to the one adopted by Eurostat. In order to meet the requests coming from the educational sector within the literacy project, ad hoc files could be developed as already happens in other NSIs (Statistics Canada, Federal Statistics Office). These are extremely small datasets (few hundreds records) with a low risk of confidentiality breach; they are directed to students with the aim of fostering the dissemination of statistical culture. On line Archive of Microdata files PUF and MFR should be downloadable from the web. PUF should be available after signing up in the web site. MFR could be made available in a protected area of the web site by a password or similar security tool, once the above mentioned procedure has positively been closed. Istat web site could also provide links to other microdata on line archives for international comparisons such as the Integrated Public Use Microdata Series (IPUMS) for the European files distributed according to EC Regulation 831/2002 (currently: LFS, ECHP, EUSILC, CIS, CVTS) or the Generation and Gender Project (GGP). Regional on site facilities of the Data Analysis Centre The Italian Data Analysis Centre is currently situated at Istat head office in Rome. Even if the service offered by the Data Analysis Centre seems to be appreciated by users, its location limits the access to users coming from places far from Rome. Istat would like to extend the Data Analysis Centre at its regional premises bringing the service closer to potential users. Work stations for users could be located within the regional Statistical Information Centres where users could be supported by qualified personnel. In 2007 Eurostat will set up a task force to define access procedures to European data sets at the NSIs Data Analysis Centres. The regional Data Analysis Centres will become a real decentralized network to exploit statistical information at both Italian and European level. Setting up of a remote access to microdata Given the problem of Data Analysis Centres location, the most efficient solution would be processing data directly from users Personal Computer through a remote access. Presently a considerable number of possible options are being tested at international level; unfortunately no alternative solutions to Data Analysis Centres have been identified that can also guarantee the protection of confidentiality. Within this framework, Istat will start a test on remote access. This solution could allow researchers to process data easily from their usual work station without having the possibility of saving original data on their PC. In the preliminary phase the output will be automatically returned and therefore this kind of service could be applied only to social surveys or surveys with a limited risk of confidentiality breach. Such pilot test would be a starting point to check the introduction of automatic controls of output and data processing with the perspective of offering the remote access service to a wider public. 13

14 Conclusions The main target of the dissemination activity of the Institute is to ensure access to the results of statistical surveys by eliminating any obstacle to data retrieval and processing and using updated technologies for the release of official statistical information. Within this framework the Institute offers different dissemination channels of statistical information through many products and services so as to meet the needs of different types of users. Istat continuous effort to increase data accessibility results in the planned introduction of innovations of processes and technologies with the aim of improving already existing products and services (by introducing new microdata files and creating regional Data Analysis Centres) and experimenting new solutions (Contact Centre and remote access to individual data). 14