This problem is a UK government area of research interest (ARI) that was originally posted at <a target='_blank' href='https://ari.org.uk/'>https://ari.org.uk/</a> by a UK government organisation to indicate that they are keen to see research related to this area.Trustworthiness: What influences perceived trustworthiness of statistics or data being used as evidence, and how can those across the statistical system increase it? To what degree do people trust official statistics or other data used as evidence, and how much do perceptions of trustworthiness influence this?OSR’s regulatory work revolves around the Code of Practice for Statistics (the Code), where we set the standards that producers of official statistics should commit to. The Code itself rests on three pillars: trustworthiness, quality, and value. To continue increasing our capability as a regulator, we are constantly seeking to grow our understanding of what these pillars mean and how they can be supported. When creating the Code our perspective was informed by research, such as by the work of Onora O’Neill who has highlighted how for an organisation (or a statistic) to be trusted it must first be trustworthy. Since then, we have continued to engage with relevant research, such as the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) on its exploration of value and how the value of official statistics might be measured. Going forward, we intend to continue to consolidate and expand on this valuable research, drawing on knowledge both specific to the statistical system and more broadly. We want our advice, guidance, and regulatory work to be evidence-based and pragmatic, to best support statistics producers and users.Contact detailsIf you would like to share evidence or collaborate with us on any of these areas, please contact us at&nbsp;research.function@statistics.gov.uk.Related UKRI Projects<ul><li><a href="https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=10056276">TIER2: ENHANCING TRUST, INTEGRITY AND EFFICIENCY IN RESEARCH THROUGH NEXT-LEVEL REPRODUCUBILITY IMPACT PATHWAYS</a></li><li><a href="https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=MC_PC_23006">Semi-Automated Checking of Research Outputs</a></li></ul>

Trustworthiness: What influences perceived trustworthiness of statistics or data being used as evidence, and how can those across the statistical system increase it? To what degree do people trust official statistics or other data used as evidence, and how much do perceptions of trustworthiness influence this?

This problem is a UK government area of research interest (ARI) that was originally posted at <a target='_blank' href='https://ari.org.uk/'>https://ari.org.uk/</a> by a UK government organisation to indicate that they are keen to see research related to this area.Value: Building on the work of others, how should we understand and measure the value of statistics and data used as evidence, and what influences this?OSR’s regulatory work revolves around the Code of Practice for Statistics (the Code), where we set the standards that producers of official statistics should commit to. The Code itself rests on three pillars: trustworthiness, quality, and value. To continue increasing our capability as a regulator, we are constantly seeking to grow our understanding of what these pillars mean and how they can be supported. When creating the Code our perspective was informed by research, such as by the work of Onora O’Neill who has highlighted how for an organisation (or a statistic) to be trusted it must first be trustworthy. Since then, we have continued to engage with relevant research, such as the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) on its exploration of value and how the value of official statistics might be measured. Going forward, we intend to continue to consolidate and expand on this valuable research, drawing on knowledge both specific to the statistical system and more broadly. We want our advice, guidance, and regulatory work to be evidence-based and pragmatic, to best support statistics producers and users.Contact detailsIf you would like to share evidence or collaborate with us on any of these areas, please contact us at&nbsp;research.function@statistics.gov.uk.Related UKRI Projects<ul><li><a href="https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=10086701">improving Reproducibility In SciencE (iRISE)</a></li></ul>

Value: Building on the work of others, how should we understand and measure the value of statistics and data used as evidence, and what influences this?

This problem is a UK government area of research interest (ARI) that was originally posted at <a target='_blank' href='https://ari.org.uk/'>https://ari.org.uk/</a> by a UK government organisation to indicate that they are keen to see research related to this area.Use of statistics: Who is using official statistics, where do they find them, how are they being used, and what influences this? What do people look for in statistics or data being used as evidence to have confidence in using them, and how can we build this confidence?When a statistics producer releases a statistic or other data, it does not exist in a vacuum. People may access the statistic, try to understand its insights, use it, form judgements based on what they have learnt, and ultimately make decisions and take certain actions. Statistics are central to public debate – in the media and in policy decisions. Consequently, how a statistic is accessed and used is as important as its production for determining whether it serves the public good. OSR has already commissioned some research into how statistics are understood by the public, such as Jessica McMaster’s review on statistical literacy. However, we want to further enrich our understanding of consumption of statistics, including how statistics are used by individuals and organisations. We have greater knowledge in some areas, for example we have a programme of work on Analytical Leadership in government which (in part) seeks to uphold the integrity of analytical evidence and support robust evidence in policy development, but we are seeking a wider and more detailed picture of the role of evidence in decision-making by a range of users. A deeper understanding of the role of statistics in public debate better enables its protection and promotion. However, as a regulator we must also understand the threats to the role of statistics. Whilst we have investigated misinformation, and we intervene directly in instances of misuse, this is a fast-changing environment and additional research is always welcome.Contact detailsIf you would like to share evidence or collaborate with us on any of these areas, please contact us at&nbsp;research.function@statistics.gov.uk.Related UKRI Projects<ul><li><a href="https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=ES%2FJ011681%2F1">Understanding data, understanding society: using quantitative narratives to embed evidence, argument and data within the undergraduate curriculum</a></li><li><a href="https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=ES%2FJ011819%2F2">Understanding Society Through Secondary Data Analysis: Quantitative Methods over the Undergraduate Life Course</a></li><li><a href="https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=ES%2FS00744X%2F1">Administrative Data Research Centres 2018</a></li><li><a href="https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=ES%2FP002250%2F1">Social Science Section at the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology</a></li><li><a href="https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=MC_UU_12017%2F15">Informing Healthy Public Policy</a></li><li><a href="https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=ES%2FK007246%2F1">The use of interactive electronic-books in the teaching and application of modern quantitative methods in the social sciences</a></li><li><a href="https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=ES%2FT00567X%2F1">Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology Social Science Section (Phase 3)</a></li><li><a href="https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=ES%2FV005456%2F1">Methodological Advancements on the use of Administrative Data in Official Statistics</a></li></ul>

Use of statistics: Who is using official statistics, where do they find them, how are they being used, and what influences this? What do people look for in statistics or data being used as evidence to have confidence in using them, and how can we build this confidence?

This problem is a UK government area of research interest (ARI) that was originally posted at <a target='_blank' href='https://ari.org.uk/'>https://ari.org.uk/</a> by a UK government organisation to indicate that they are keen to see research related to this area.Statistics that serve the public good: What does it mean for statistics to serve the public good, and how might this be measured and communicated? What is unique about the way in which official statistics serve the public good compared to other sources of information? How can views from ‘the public’ be brought into this conversation, respecting that there is no single homogenous group and there will be many varied perspectives?OSR’s vision is that statistics serve the public good, and we propose that an in-depth understanding of what that means will allow us to develop our regulatory work and support the wider statistical and analytical systems. Even though we work with a range of data that is used as evidence, our statutory objective concerns official statistics and so we are interested in learning more about how they specifically serve the public good. We have delved into what the ‘statistics serving the public good’ means through several research projects; our most recent being a public dialogue in collaboration with Administrative Data Research UK, and based on this successful partnership we are optimistic about the benefits of continuing to work with others in this area. To understand this notion of ‘statistics serving the public good’, it is necessary to understand the public these statistics are endeavouring to serve, and what they value. This is touched upon in the ARI on ‘produced’, where we explore Value in the Code, and the ARI on ‘used’ where we are interested in who is using statistics.Contact detailsIf you would like to share evidence or collaborate with us on any of these areas, please contact us at&nbsp;research.function@statistics.gov.uk.Related UKRI Projects<ul><li><a href="https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=ES%2FS00744X%2F1">Administrative Data Research Centres 2018</a></li><li><a href="https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=ES%2FV005456%2F1">Methodological Advancements on the use of Administrative Data in Official Statistics</a></li><li><a href="https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=ES%2FW010240%2F1">Queens's University Belfast 2022-2026 ADR UK Programme</a></li><li><a href="https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=ES%2FL007487%2F1">Administrative Data Research Centre - Scotland</a></li><li><a href="https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=ES%2FW004305%2F1">ESRC ADR UK No.10 Data Science Fellowship 2021</a></li><li><a href="https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=ES%2FW003937%2F1">ESRC ADR UK No.10 Data Science Fellowship 2021</a></li><li><a href="https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=ES%2FT009810%2F1">ADRC-S Legacy Projects from phase 1 (2013-18)</a></li><li><a href="https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=ES%2FY005546%2F1">Doing ESRC data better</a></li><li><a href="https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=ES%2FL007509%2F1">LNiK - the Northern Ireland Administrative Data Research Centre</a></li><li><a href="https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=ES%2FL007444%2F1">Centre for Administrative Data Research and Evaluation (CADRE) - an ESRC Administrative Data Research Centre</a></li></ul>

Statistics that serve the public good: What does it mean for statistics to serve the public good, and how might this be measured and communicated? What is unique about the way in which official statistics serve the public good compared to other sources of information? How can views from ‘the public’ be brought into this conversation, respecting that there is no single homogenous group and there will be many varied perspectives?

This problem is a UK government area of research interest (ARI) that was originally posted at <a target='_blank' href='https://ari.org.uk/'>https://ari.org.uk/</a> by a UK government organisation to indicate that they are keen to see research related to this area.Interactions: How does the way that statistics are produced influence the value that users get from them, and how can this be addressed to maximise value? To what degree to statistics need to be directly used for them to provide value (or do people value outcomes from others using them instead)?To deliver against our vision of statistics that serve the public good, in OSR we describe our work under the headings of how statistics are produced, how they are used, and how they are valued. However, in practice it is natural that elements of our work and interests cut across all of these three areas. Some of the questions we are interested in span multiple areas of our mission (how statistics are produced, used and valued).Contact detailsIf you would like to share evidence or collaborate with us on any of these areas, please contact us at&nbsp;research.function@statistics.gov.uk.Related UKRI Projects<ul><li><a href="https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=ES%2FK007246%2F1">The use of interactive electronic-books in the teaching and application of modern quantitative methods in the social sciences</a></li></ul>

Interactions: How does the way that statistics are produced influence the value that users get from them, and how can this be addressed to maximise value? To what degree to statistics need to be directly used for them to provide value (or do people value outcomes from others using them instead)?

This problem is a UK government area of research interest (ARI) that was originally posted at <a target='_blank' href='https://ari.org.uk/'>https://ari.org.uk/</a> by a UK government organisation to indicate that they are keen to see research related to this area.Wider evidence landscape: How are statistics valued and used in the wider evidence landscape, such as in comparison to privately produced statistics, anecdotal evidence or management information, and what influences this? What sets official statistics apart within the wider evidence landscape, how well is this understood, and how does this influence confidence in them, their use and how they are valued?To deliver against our vision of statistics that serve the public good, in OSR we describe our work under the headings of how statistics are produced, how they are used, and how they are valued. However, in practice it is natural that elements of our work and interests cut across all of these three areas. Some of the questions we are interested in span multiple areas of our mission (how statistics are produced, used and valued).Contact detailsIf you would like to share evidence or collaborate with us on any of these areas, please contact us at&nbsp;research.function@statistics.gov.uk.Related UKRI Projects<ul><li><a href="https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=MR%2FX019888%2F1">MRC International Statistics &amp; Epidemiology Partnership (ISEP): Strengthening capacity in applied medical statisticians in sub-Saharan Africa</a></li><li><a href="https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=MR%2FW021021%2F1">ROBEST: Ensuring robustness of evidence in public health research for increased policy impact: widened use of advanced causal inference techniques</a></li><li><a href="https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=MR%2FN501906%2F1">Bias-adjusted inference in Biostatistics</a></li><li><a href="https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=MC_EX_MR%2FL012286%2F1">Bias-adjusted inference in Biostatistics</a></li><li><a href="https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=MR%2FV038885%2F1">Rigorous Training in Longitudinal Data Science (RADIANCE)</a></li><li><a href="https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=G0701024%2F1">Quantitative methods for the assessment of systematic error in observational studies: improving causal research</a></li><li><a href="https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=MR%2FJ004847%2F1">Driving up the quality and relevance of research-based knowledge through the identification and use of core outcomes: the COMET Initiative</a></li><li><a href="https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=MC_PC_21009">MRC/NIHR guidance on Natural Experimental Evaluations (NEEs) for
researchers and End-Users</a></li></ul>

Wider evidence landscape: How are statistics valued and used in the wider evidence landscape, such as in comparison to privately produced statistics, anecdotal evidence or management information, and what influences this? What sets official statistics apart within the wider evidence landscape, how well is this understood, and how does this influence confidence in them, their use and how they are valued?

This problem is a UK government area of research interest (ARI) that was originally posted at <a target='_blank' href='https://ari.org.uk/'>https://ari.org.uk/</a> by a UK government organisation to indicate that they are keen to see research related to this area.Communicating statistics: How does the communication of statistics influence their use and how they are valued? What factors ought to be considered in the communication of statistics, for example the audience, uncertainty around the estimates?To deliver against our vision of statistics that serve the public good, in OSR we describe our work under the headings of how statistics are produced, how they are used, and how they are valued. However, in practice it is natural that elements of our work and interests cut across all of these three areas. Some of the questions we are interested in span multiple areas of our mission (how statistics are produced, used and valued).Contact detailsIf you would like to share evidence or collaborate with us on any of these areas, please contact us at&nbsp;research.function@statistics.gov.uk.Related UKRI Projects<ul><li><a href="https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=ES%2FJ011681%2F1">Understanding data, understanding society: using quantitative narratives to embed evidence, argument and data within the undergraduate curriculum</a></li></ul>

Communicating statistics: How does the communication of statistics influence their use and how they are valued? What factors ought to be considered in the communication of statistics, for example the audience, uncertainty around the estimates?

This problem is a UK government area of research interest (ARI) that was originally posted at <a target='_blank' href='https://ari.org.uk/'>https://ari.org.uk/</a> by a UK government organisation to indicate that they are keen to see research related to this area.Statistics representing society: How well or poorly do statistics represent society, and what are the impacts of this on how they are used and valued?To deliver against our vision of statistics that serve the public good, in OSR we describe our work under the headings of how statistics are produced, how they are used, and how they are valued. However, in practice it is natural that elements of our work and interests cut across all of these three areas. Some of the questions we are interested in span multiple areas of our mission (how statistics are produced, used and valued).Contact detailsIf you would like to share evidence or collaborate with us on any of these areas, please contact us at&nbsp;research.function@statistics.gov.uk.Related UKRI Projects<ul><li><a href="https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=ES%2FJ011681%2F1">Understanding data, understanding society: using quantitative narratives to embed evidence, argument and data within the undergraduate curriculum</a></li><li><a href="https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=ES%2FJ011819%2F2">Understanding Society Through Secondary Data Analysis: Quantitative Methods over the Undergraduate Life Course</a></li><li><a href="https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=ES%2FK007246%2F1">The use of interactive electronic-books in the teaching and application of modern quantitative methods in the social sciences</a></li><li><a href="https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=ES%2FJ01155X%2F1">Workshops for Teachers of Quantitative Methods for Social Science Undergraduates</a></li><li><a href="https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=ES%2FN011619%2F1">Innovations in Small Area Estimation Methodologies</a></li><li><a href="https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=ES%2FJ011703%2F1">'No More Pointy-Clicking, Numbers Stuff: Building Staff Quantitative Skills.'</a></li></ul>

Statistics representing society: How well or poorly do statistics represent society, and what are the impacts of this on how they are used and valued?

This problem is a UK government area of research interest (ARI) that was originally posted at <a target='_blank' href='https://ari.org.uk/'>https://ari.org.uk/</a> by a UK government organisation to indicate that they are keen to see research related to this area.Quality: How does the quality of statistics and communication of this quality influence public confidence in the statistics? How should the quality of statistics be conceived, measured, and communicated to support users in selecting statistics that are most appropriate for their needs?OSR’s regulatory work revolves around the Code of Practice for Statistics (the Code), where we set the standards that producers of official statistics should commit to. The Code itself rests on three pillars: trustworthiness, quality, and value. To continue increasing our capability as a regulator, we are constantly seeking to grow our understanding of what these pillars mean and how they can be supported. When creating the Code our perspective was informed by research, such as by the work of Onora O’Neill who has highlighted how for an organisation (or a statistic) to be trusted it must first be trustworthy. Since then, we have continued to engage with relevant research, such as the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) on its exploration of value and how the value of official statistics might be measured. Going forward, we intend to continue to consolidate and expand on this valuable research, drawing on knowledge both specific to the statistical system and more broadly. We want our advice, guidance, and regulatory work to be evidence-based and pragmatic, to best support statistics producers and users.Contact detailsIf you would like to share evidence or collaborate with us on any of these areas, please contact us at&nbsp;research.function@statistics.gov.uk.

Quality: How does the quality of statistics and communication of this quality influence public confidence in the statistics? How should the quality of statistics be conceived, measured, and communicated to support users in selecting statistics that are most appropriate for their needs?

This problem is a UK government area of research interest (ARI) that was originally posted at <a target='_blank' href='https://ari.org.uk/'>https://ari.org.uk/</a> by a UK government organisation to indicate that they are keen to see research related to this area.Changing world: How have evolutions in our statistical system (such as the greater focus on administrative sources for statistics) influenced how statistics are produced, used, and valued? How may advances in wider society (such as the increasing sophistication of large language models) influence how statistics are produced, used, and valued?To deliver against our vision of statistics that serve the public good, in OSR we describe our work under the headings of how statistics are produced, how they are used, and how they are valued. However, in practice it is natural that elements of our work and interests cut across all of these three areas. Some of the questions we are interested in span multiple areas of our mission (how statistics are produced, used and valued).Contact detailsIf you would like to share evidence or collaborate with us on any of these areas, please contact us at&nbsp;research.function@statistics.gov.uk.

Changing world: How have evolutions in our statistical system (such as the greater focus on administrative sources for statistics) influenced how statistics are produced, used, and valued? How may advances in wider society (such as the increasing sophistication of large language models) influence how statistics are produced, used, and valued?

Office for Statistics Regulation (GB)

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