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Lost in translation

Solving problems, better solutions. The Methodology Division within the Office for National Statistics (ONS) develop methods for working with non-survey data sources, and for integrating non-survey and survey data. Coding qualitative data is a huge part of the work Methodology does. Did you know that there are thousands of different coding languages including Python, R […]

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Remote testing in practice – what we learnt

In the Research and Design Team at the Office for National Statistics (ONS), we are transforming social surveys using a user-centred design approach. For us, this means that we work iteratively, designing with our users in mind. In social survey transformation, our end users are respondents to the voluntary social surveys at the ONS.  In […]

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My summer placement at BBC News

One thing I love about the Civil Service is the wide variety of professional development opportunities. I’ve enjoyed seeing different perspectives working as an analyst in the public, private and third sector – so I was really pleased to be lucky enough to be accepted on the BBC News Secondment Programme to learn more about […]

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Hanging on the telephone

Today (18 November 2020) is African Statistics Day – an annual event that aims to promote the value and importance of statistics – with an emphasis on its value across Africa. This feels like the perfect opportunity to share some of the international partnership work being done by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) in […]

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The user engagement strategy for statistics – the best laid plans…

Well, Nancy Singh and I were thrilled to receive so much helpful feedback on our initial draft of the user engagement strategy. Thank you everyone! So, what have the project team been up to recently? We’ve been busy incorporating all those ideas and suggestions into the next iteration of the strategy. It’s been exciting to […]

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Change the culture, build capability, work collaboratively – working together to improve user engagement

Okay, so it’s not the catchiest of slogans. But, while you’re here, we wanted to introduce you to the three C’s of the user engagement strategy for statistics: Culture Capability Collaboration Where have these come from? It has been a little while since we last updated you on the progress of the user engagement strategy. […]

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Data quality in the time of coronavirus (COVID-19)

The role of data during the pandemic The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has fundamentally reshaped society. We’ve faced unprecedented restrictions on our ability to move, work and interact. The effects of COVID-19 on the economy, health outcomes and our personal well-being are stark. The long-term impacts of the pandemic are uncertain, but likely to be with […]

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How can official statistics better serve the public good?

How good are government statistics? In a recent seminar the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR) asked members of the Government Statistical Service for three words they would use to describe government statistics. Among the top words we got back were: trustworthy quality informative It was striking how closely these aligned to the three pillars of our Code […]

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What I hope to gain from reverse mentoring

Edisa Livingstone shares her thoughts on reverse mentoring. What do you hope to gain from reverse mentoring? Lots of things – but one of the main benefits at this stage in my fast stream journey is to get career advice in a relaxed, informal environment outside my immediate management chain. It is a fact that […]

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Why I chose to be a reverse mentor

There are many misconceptions about what reverse mentoring is or can be. For some, it can be about senior leaders finding out what their staff on the shop floor really think. For others it can be about offering the opportunity to safely challenge how the organisation or department delivers its work. For me, reverse mentoring […]

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