The Code of Practice for Statistics

The Code Principles

The Code Principles unpack the core principles of the Code of Practice for Statistics – Trustworthiness, Quality and Value (TQV). They can be used by anyone in any organisation who wants to ensure that the information they provide serves the public good. They can be applied by people in different roles, including analytical, operational, policy and communication roles, who are working with different types of evidence and analysis, such as data science, management information, economic analysis and social research. They can be used both inside government and in other settings such as the commercial sector, academia and voluntary sector. The principles form the basis of the ten Standards for Official Statistics which set out specific statistical practices expected of official statistics producers to ensure that official statistics serve the public good. The Office for Statistics Regulation runs a scheme to recognise organisations working outside of official statistics production that voluntarily apply the Code.

The Code Principles

Trustworthiness

Building confidence in the people and organisations that produce statistics and data To show you are trustworthy:

1. Show integrity

• Do present and use data and statistics objectively, being impartial and professional
• Don’t withhold or misrepresent data or statistics due to political or commercial influence

2. Lead responsibly

• Do foster evidence-based decision making based on strong, professional analytical skills and promoting TQV
• Don’t rely on biased evidence, be unwilling to listen to diverse views or refuse to adapt to changing circumstances

3. Be transparent

• Do be open about how, when and to whom you will release data and statistics
• Don’t restrict the release of statistics because they make for uncomfortable reading or be reluctant to explain corrections or revisions

4. Manage data responsibly

• Do collect, use and share data in line with legal obligations and ethical principles and be open about choices made
• Don’t ignore the rights of those providing their data or overlook risks to the disclosure of their personal or corporate information

Quality

5. Prioritise quality

• Do promote and take a proactive approach to quality and continuous improvement, learning constructively from both mistakes and good practice
• Don’t discourage innovation or collaboration or dismiss quality issues raised by staff, data suppliers, partners, topic experts or users

6. Be rigorous

• Do use suitable data sources and sound methods to meet intended uses, applying recognised professional standards
• Don’t assume data are suitable or ignore quality issues or the implications of system and method changes on their continued suitability

7. Be open about quality

• Do clearly describe the quality of data and statistics, including uncertainty and bias in estimates and impacts on appropriate interpretation and use
• Don’t assume quality remains static or fail to communicate key quality or methods information that could result in a misleading interpretation or wrong decision

Value

8. Be relevant

• Do judge what is needed by listening and responding promptly to user feedback, explaining your choices about what can be reasonably progressed
• Don’t make assumptions about what is useful or ignore requests for improvements

9. Be clear

• Do ensure that data and statistics are easy to use and understandable, and tailored to your audience’s needs
• Don’t present too much information, use confusing colours or jargon or present insufficient information to enable appropriate interpretation or use

10. Be accessible

• Do ensure easy access for all when publishing data, statistics and supporting material and meet legal accessibility standards
• Don’t limit access to information or create barriers to data sharing or reuse where there is a public interest

Voluntary application of the Code – committing to uphold the Code Principles

Any producer of data, statistics and analysis that are not official statistics, who is applying the Code principles, is encouraged to be part of the TQV Voluntary Application scheme run by the Office for Statistics Regulation. The scheme reflects an ongoing commitment to apply TQV. We encourage members of the scheme to be open and accountable in their application of the Code by publishing a statement explaining how they apply and meet the Code principles. A commitment to the Code’s core principles of Trustworthiness, Quality and Value offers the opportunity for an organisation to:

• Compare its processes, methods and outputs against the recognised standards in the Code that we expect of official statistics
• Demonstrate to the public its commitment to Trustworthiness, Quality and Value
• Strengthen its practices by ‘thinking TQV’

More information on applying the Code and joining the scheme is available:

• TQV Voluntary Application – a guide on how to apply TQV and to be part of the scheme
• Register of TQV Voluntary Application – organisations that have elected to apply the Code in the VA scheme

Related information

Understanding TQV: an introduction to the core principles of Trustworthiness, Quality and Value (TQV) Standards for Official Statistics: these standards set out specific statistical practices for those producing official statistics Standards for the Public Use of Statistics, Data and Wider Analysis: these standards set out what public bodies need to do to ensure an open, clear and accessible approach to the publication and communication of statistics, data and wider analysis Guidance – Ensuring Public Accountability: Producers of statistics should see themselves as accountable to their users and can apply OSR’s guidance on accountability to provide reassurance about how they demonstrate Trustworthiness, Quality and Value Code Guidance: information that supports use of the Code, including understanding and delivery of the principles and Standards, including a short guide for the Code Principles.