Tools and Indicators for Data Quality Assessment for Official Statistical Observation of Foreign Trade in Services

Abstract

The quality of statistics is the most valuable asset that statistics agencies can offer to users, because it largely determines the validity of decision-making in government and business enterprise sector, promotes statistical awareness of broader community and community’s trust to statistics. Foreign trade in services is defined as trade in services between residents and non-residents of Ukraine. Statistical data on foreign trade in services is based on data from the quarterly official statistical observations performed by the format “Report on exports (imports) of services”, administrative data coming from public administration offices, chief managers of central and local budgets, ministries and government agencies.

The main purpose of the official statistical observation of foreign trade in services is to collect statistical data on export and import of services related to transportation, travel, construction, insurance and pension services, financial services, royalties and licensing services, telecommunication, computer and information services, services related with processing of material resources, business services, individuals services in culture and leisure, services in repair and maintenance, public goods and services not included in other categories. Informing users about the quality of statistical data on foreign trade in services is an important element of mutually beneficial relations between the statistics offices and the community, and an important objective for professional producers of statistics.

The purpose of the study is to develop tools and indicators for data quality assessment for official statistical observations of foreign trade in services.

Most part of users are interested in the quality of statistical information, as it affects the validity of their decision- making, and not interested in the quality of statistical processes because it is supposedly an internal matter of statistics producers. However, there are some external users who might be interested in this information, such as researchers or students in statistics.

Components of the quality of statistical processes and statistical information are the cornerstone in structuring the quality report. However, as the quality of statistical process is a factor of the quality of statistical information, the quality report needs to be prepared by avoiding duplication of its components.

Foreign trade in services is part of the section “Foreign trade and the trade balance,” included in the broader field “Economic statistics”. Accounting of foreign trade in services as part of foreign trade was launched in Ukraine in 1998, following the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the National Bank of Ukraine from 10.03.1997 p. No1092 “On Compilation of Trade Balance Report of Ukraine”. During the 1998-2012, services in foreign trade were accounted by the Classification of Foreign Economic Activities, harmonized with the Classification of Economic Activities (NACE, 1996), NACE.

Data quality components in the quarterly official statistical observations of foreign trade in services are as follows: (i) compliance/relevance; (ii) accuracy (reliability); (iii) timeliness and punctuality; (iv) availability; (v) consistency (coherence); (vi) assessment of the needs and expectations of users.