Towards A Framework For Governing Data Innovation: Fostering Trust In The Use Of Non-Traditional Data Sources In Statistical Production

Written by TReNDS’ Expert Member and Managing Director of DataReady, Tom Orrell, in partnership with SDSN TReNDS and Open Data Watch

With the rise of new technologies, the use of non-traditional data sources in recent years has increased exponentially. This research paper seeks to cultivate a better understanding of the governance factors that improve trust and confidence in the use of non-traditional data sources for official statistical production, with a focus on legal arrangements, quality assurance practices, and policy changes. Drawing on desk review analyses and substantive experience working with National Statistics Offices (NSOs) and entities in the sector, it explores how NSOs in Ghana, Mexico, and the United Kingdom have worked to innovate and instill trust in the use of non-traditional data sources. Using insights from these case studies, the paper aims to construct a three-part definition of trust in official statistics derived from non-traditional data sources and proposes a draft analytical framework, with a view towards facilitating future research into the factors that either feed into or detract from trust in non-traditional data use for statistical production.

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