Chapter 9 - Data Sources, Collection and Processing

   

 

For the compilation of official statistics and indicators, national statistical offices and other official statistics producers acquire data from various sources. Traditional sources such as statistical surveys and censuses are time-consuming, labour-intensive, expensive, and sometimes increase the burden significantly on respondents. To deal with these challenges, official statistics producers have started to use alternative data sources such as administrative data and records, geospatial information, citizen-generated data and Big Data. This Chapter examines the choice of collection modes and data processing for various data sources. It describes challenges and solutions in accessing and using data from alternative sources.