Support using official statistics
The Scottish Government has analysts whose role it is to examine the data collected. The relevant department is usually identified on any research publication and can be contacted for further information.
The Scottish Government also has a network of local government and public body analysts called the ScotStat Network. The purpose of the network is to
- Develop mutual understanding of statistical needs and opportunities between local authorities, public bodies and Scottish Government particularly in relation to single outcome agreements;
- Consider the best means for Scottish Government to share its analytical resources with other public bodies to assist the single outcome agreement process and build analytical capacity more widely;
- Consider issues across public bodies in data collection in order to take a strategic approach to harmonisation and efficient use of resources;
- Discuss how Scottish Government statistics are used by public bodies and how they might be improved to be of more benefit;
- Increase knowledge and understanding of functional issues (e.g. Scottish Neighbourhood Statistics, Sample Surveys, Official Statistics), cross cutting themes (e.g. equality statistics, geographical statistics) and methodological issues (e.g. measuring change, reporting on targets)
Further information about the network can be found on the ScotStat section of the Scottish Government website