Definition: Analysis

Category: General concept

Analysis may take various forms. It includes methodological research to improve the quality, usefulness, and usability of data; the use of data gathered in real time about a source (paradata) to make compilation as efficient and error-free as possible; and modeling to combine data from more than one source into useful statistics. It also includes substantive analysis, such as developing indicators from one or more data series, making projections, interpreting data, and explaining differences among statistics obtained by different methods, such as surveys and administrative records. An analysis by a statistical agency does not advocate policies or take partisan positions. http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/ramon/statmanuals/files/Principles_and_Practices_for_a_Federal_Statistical_Agency_6th_Edition.pdf