Analyze

In this phase, statistics are produced, examined in detail, and made ready for dissemination. The Analyze phase is comprised of five sub-processes:

• 6.1.Prepare draft outputs - In this sub-process, collected data are transformed into statistical outputs; additional measurements such as indices, trends, or seasonally adjusted series are produced; and quality characteristics are recorded.
• 6.2.Validate outputs - In this sub-process, statisticians validate the quality of the outputs produced, in accordance with a general quality framework and expectations. This sub-process also includes activities involved with the gathering of intelligence and the cumulative effect of building a body of knowledge about a specific statistical domain. This knowledge is then applied to the current data collection in the current environment, to identify any divergence from expectations and allow informed analyses. Validation activities can include:
  • Checking for requisite population coverage and response rates;
  • Comparing the statistics with previous cycles (if applicable);
  • Comparing statistics against other relevant data (both internal and external);
  • Investigating inconsistencies in the statistics;
  • Performing macro editing; and
  • Validating the statistics against expectations and domain intelligence.
• 6.3.Scrutinize and explain - In this sub-process, statisticians gain in-depth understanding of the outputs. They use that understanding to scrutinize and explain the statistics produced for this cycle by assessing how well the statistics reflect their initial expectations, viewing the statistics from all perspectives using different tools and media, and carrying out in-depth statistical analyses.
• 6.4.Apply disclosure control – This sub-process ensures that the data and metadata to be disseminated do not breach rules of confidentiality. This may include checking for primary and secondary disclosure, as well as applying data suppression or perturbation techniques.
• 6.5.Finalize outputs - This sub-process ensures the statistics and associated information are fit for their intended purpose and have achieved the required quality level, and are thus ready for use. It includes:
  • Completing consistency checks;
  • Determining the level of release and applying caveats;
  • Collating supporting information, including interpretation, briefings, measures of uncertainty, and other necessary metadata;
  • Producing the supporting internal documents;
  • Conducting pre-release discussions with internal subject matter experts; and
  • Approving the statistical content for release.