New web library shows how statistics are handled, Sep 1999

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MEDIA RELEASE

September 30, 1999
Embargoed: 11:30 AM (AEST)
112/99
New web library shows how statistics are handled

A comprehensive statistical reference library was launched today as a new service on the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) website.

"The Statistical Concepts Library explains the concepts, sources, methods and classifications behind the nation's official statistics," said Mr Ivan King, Assistant Statistician, ABS International Financial Accounts Branch, who launched the new service at the Conference of Economists in Melbourne.

"Economists and others who want to understand the methodology behind major economic indicators, such as national accounts, the CPI, balance of payments or social indicators such as population estimates will benefit from the this new free service," said Mr King.

"This is the first time that all this material has been made available on the Internet. In the past the ABS provided the Statistical Concepts Library on a CD-ROM which brought together dozens of individual printed publications.

"Publishing online allows any changes to the measurement of official statistics to be kept up to date. While the ABS will still produce a CD-ROM version, the Internet allows those interested to always have the latest information on statistical practice on hand.

"The ABS also plans to progressively add relevant website links to other international official statistical agencies and to other services of a similar nature."

Some of the references in the Statistical Concepts Library include:
  • Guide to the Consumer Price Index - 13th Series;
  • Standards for Social Labour and Demographic Statistics; and,
  • Australian Standard Classification of Occupations.

Mr King said the new service was all part of the ABS mission to encourage and assist informed decision making by governments and the community.

The Statistical Concepts Library is available on this site.