official statistics

Question 1

what are official statistics

Answer 1

Official statistics are numerical data produced by national and local government bodies

Question 2

examples of official statistics

Answer 2

Census​

Unemployment figures​

Crime statistics​

Educational attainment​

Births / deaths / marriages​

Question 3

advantages of official statistics

Answer 3

Often cheaper to use than primary data​

Quick to access​

Higher levels of representativeness than own research​

Reliability due to standardised methods​

Regular data collection – contemporary ​

Quantitative data – preferred by Positivists​

Question 4

disadvantages of official statistics

Answer 4

Data may not be available ​

Data not always be exactly what the researcher requires​

Data collected depends on other peoples definitions​

Often only quantitative data – no detail​

Potential for bias – showing government in best possible way​

Question 5

example of official statistics

Answer 5

Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW)​

Falling rates of crime:​ Homicides down 28%​

to gain an accurate picture of crime, as many crimes go unreported

75000 households