BIG DATA - OPPORTUNITIES, CHALLENGES OR THREATS BEFORE THE OFFICIAL STATISTICS

Galia Stateva

Abstract: The article mainly discusses the role of big data in official statistics. Emphasis is placed on the issue of what happens when official statistics meets the ‘big data’. Defined are the main opportunities and challenges before the official statistics in the ‘big data’ era, ‘new’ methodology, high quality, confidentiality and legal issues, IT technologies, financial resources, the necessity for different thinking and skills, new policies and directives.
Discussed is how big data can be used for production of official statistics in various ways: by totally replacing statistical sources by complementing information by combining data from different sources or provision of completely new statistical figures that can complement the available statistical information.
Described are methods of statistics and their application regarding big data, referring to some examples of European practice for the use of big data in the statistical production process.
The official statistics clearly notes the need not work in isolation but in close cooperation with academia, commercial partners from the private sector, Eurostat and the European Commission, other international organizations and national statistical offices. The article explains in detail the mechanism and tools for integration within the European Statistical System in short, medium and long term.

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Date published: 2015-01-14