How to check official statistics

Begin at the publisher

The Central Statistics Office lists PxStat as its open-data statistical database on the official CSO databases page. Use the publisher’s table rather than a screenshot, social post or third-party chart whenever the original is available.

1. Record the table identity

Save the table title and code before changing filters. Record every selected dimension: measure, unit, population, geography, category and time period. If you calculate a percentage, rate or change, preserve the numerator, denominator and formula. A total and a rate may answer different questions even when they appear beside each other.

Export a machine-readable copy where the database permits it, but retain the source URL and access date. An export is a snapshot; it should not replace the publisher’s metadata.

2. Read definitions and methods

Open the table notes, release background and the relevant entry in the CSO methods collection. Check the statistical population, coverage, reference period, collection method, classification and known breaks in series. Do not compare categories across years until you have checked whether their definitions or geographic boundaries changed.

Label provisional, seasonally adjusted, modelled or survey-estimated figures exactly as the publisher does. Suppressed, unavailable and zero values are not interchangeable.

3. Check revisions

The CSO’s General Revisions Policy explains that revised results should be identified and substantial revisions explained. Before repeating an older figure, reopen the table and compare it with the stored snapshot. If it changed, update the publication or state which vintage is being discussed.

Reproduction record

• Publisher, database, table title and table code.
• All selected filters and displayed unit.
• Reference period and publication or update date.
• Definitions, coverage and series-break notes.
• Provisional, final or revised status.
• Calculation formula and rounding rule, if any.
• Source URL, export filename and access date.

Comparison rules

Use like-for-like periods and units. Distinguish people from applications, stocks from flows, calendar years from rolling years, and counts from rates. When combining sources, explain why their definitions are compatible. If they are not compatible, present them separately rather than forcing a single total.