Meta-data about editing and accuracy for end users

Abstract

This paper focuses on the needs of the end users of statistics for metadata about the statistics offered by the statistical producers. It is set within a framework proposed in an earlier paper [Nordbotten 2000a]. Since the discussion is in the context of data editing, the discussion is mainly limited to metadata about the accuracy of statistics and statistical data editing. Several questions are addressed in this paper. The first is what are the end users' needs for metadata and how will the users of statistics react on metadata. A second question addressed is how should a statistical producer react to the information needed by the users and provide metadata, which might serve the needs. At the end of the paper, a short discussion is included about required research and development for implementation of a metadata service.