Regency C
Quality as Fitness for Use (303982)
Ryan Chepita, Statistics Canada
*Andrea Lee Ness, Statistics Canada
Keywords: Statistics Canada, Quality Secretariat, Quality, Fitness for Use, Survey, Data Source
Survey-based data remains vital in statistical analysis, however alternative sources of data are increasingly employed. These new sources of data require new methods to assess their quality. While developing these methods, we have found there is no longer a one-size-fits-all approach to assessing quality. Users may value some dimensions of quality over others. For example, would the user sacrifice accuracy in exchange for more timely information, or vice versa?
Statistics Canada’s Quality Secretariat refers to this expression of quality as "Fitness for Use". With this understanding, we have developed a three phased approach to assist the user in evaluating the degree to which a data source meets their requirements and expectations. For this session, we will share our experiences in communicating this message through outreach with data users, other government departments, and subject matter experts throughout the Agency.