Statistikkälla

Statistikkälla is a term used in Swedish and Nordic contexts to denote a source of statistics. It refers to any resource from which statistical data are obtained, including raw data collected for measurement and compiled statistics published by organizations. The concept covers official statistics produced by government or regional agencies, administrative records, survey data (such as censuses or sample surveys), experimental or observational data, and aggregated datasets produced by international bodies or researchers.

Reliable statistikkällor are characterized by clear methodology, proper documentation, and transparent data processing. Key quality considerations include sampling design and coverage, response rates, measurement error, data cleaning and imputation, and the availability of metadata that explain definitions, variables, time and geographic scope, units of analysis, and limitations. Metadata and documentation facilitate interpretation, reuse, and reproducibility.

Users should assess provenance, update frequency, licensing, and permissions for reuse when selecting a statistikkälla. Good practice includes citing sources clearly, comparing multiple sources when possible, and respecting privacy, licensing, and copyright requirements. Reproducibility is supported by versioning, persistent identifiers, and access to original data or analytical code.

Common examples of statistikkällor include national statistical institutes, regional authorities, international organizations (such as the World Bank, Eurostat, and OECD), scholarly data repositories, and open data portals. Careful evaluation of a statistikkälla helps ensure the validity and reliability of statistical analyses and conclusions.