An example of statistical observation. Organization of statistical observation

In modern society, economic management would be impossible without such an important science as statistics. This discipline for many centuries played the role of a necessary and effective tool in any state. And the level and stage of the country's economic development did not matter.

Those data that are collected by statistics, and to this day are widely used by government, as they point to the quantitative side of the mass phenomena that exist in society.

Definition of term

The word "statistics" is multi-valued and multifaceted. To date, there are about a thousand different explanations of this term. Not only philosophers, but also economists, mathematicians, statesmen and sociologists tried to define such a science as statistics.

The very word denoting this discipline came from the Latin "status". In translation, it means "a certain state of things." However, today the term "statistics" can be used in a variety of meanings. It:

- Practical activities to collect, further process and analyze data that characterize culture and economics, population and education, as well as many other phenomena of public life;

- the academic discipline included in the plans for training managers, traders and economists of higher level;

- a science that studies the quantitative aspects of various spheres of state life.

The history of the emergence of discipline and its development

The origin of statistics occurred in ancient times. Even then, people needed to count the population, property, land, livestock, etc.

The earliest information about such works belong to the 5th century BC. E. They were held in China. Accounting for free citizens by age and sex was carried out in ancient Rome. In the ancient world, all births were included in the special lists. A separate account was taken of the men of the age of military service. Land lists were compiled, including data on buildings and slaves, inventory and incomes.

In 1061, the first general population census was carried out in England. Two hundred and forty thousand households were surveyed to collect the data. There is information about the census in the 13th century. The Mongolian khans. They needed the data to collect taxes from the captured Russian territories.

In the following centuries, statistics continued its development and in the 17th century. Found its expression in the scientific discipline. It was based on two schools. The first of these is English, which uses political arithmetic. The second school is German, which was more concerned with describing phenomena. In the early 19th century. Science acquired its third direction - statistical and mathematical, which was proposed by the Belgian researcher Adolf Quetelet.

In the early 20 century. This discipline began to use the theory of probability. Her methods allowed to carry out sociological research of consumer demand and product quality, as well as the standard of living of citizens.

Active statistical observations were conducted during the years of Soviet power. They allowed to see the whole picture of the nation's emerging national economy. The work of statistics did not stop even during the war with fascist Germany. During this period for the country there was a need for calculation of material and labor resources. In addition, information about the movement of production forces to the eastern regions was of particular importance.

The active work of statistics was carried out in the postwar period, it continues today. Without this science, the further development of the national economy of the state and all its social spheres will become impossible.

Organization of data acquisition system

The components of the statistics are:

- institutions of state and municipal statistics;

- Informal and private statistics;

- departmental reporting.

The organization of statistical observation begins with departments and district departments. Their work is controlled by the stat committee of the subjects of the federation. They, in turn, are subordinate to the State Statistics Committee of Russia.

Departmental reports are compiled by enterprises and organizations of a certain field of activity. For example, the statistics of banks, customs, etc.

Product research

Federal statistical observation includes:

- indicators of the macroeconomic level;

- sectoral data;

- statistics on the standard of living and the social sphere;

- international and interregional comparisons.

The data of statistical observation are published in the form of analytical notes and collections, express information and bulletins.

Stages of statistical research

Collection and registration of factual data of a particular sphere of public life are conducted according to a certain scheme. There are different stages of statistical observation. And each of them uses their own methods.

Where does statistical observation begin? Statistics only come to work after the problem is clearly formulated. It is determined taking into account the purpose of the research and the concept of the information that needs to be studied.

The conducted stages of statistical observation are impossible without a preliminary study of the technical assignment. This document is prepared by the customer for future research. The terms of reference specify:

- studied objects;

- available hypotheses and assumptions that require confirmation or refutation;

- the progress of the study;

- terms of observation.

Based on the terms of reference, the structure of the future analytical report is developed , as well as the statistical observation program, which is a list of attributes of objects to be registered, or questions to which reliable answers should be obtained. An example of such a program can serve as a questionnaire used for the population census.

At the next stage, information is collected. The method of conducting it is also dictated by the program of statistical observation. Then a set of data is compiled and grouped according to various characteristics. Only after that all the information received is subject to analysis. This is the next stage of statistical observation, using indices, averages and relative values, etc. The completion of the report and its provision to the customer completes its work.

It should be borne in mind that statistical observation, being a scientifically organized collection of data, largely determines the reliability of the conclusions drawn at the final stage. That is why the receipt of factual information is the main task of statistics.

Data collection

The information needed for the study may be primary or secondary. The first type of data includes those that are not available at the time of issue of the technical assignment. Secondary information is already available. It was obtained earlier when performing other tasks.

An example of statistical observation in the collection of primary data is a questionnaire of patients in medical hospitals, a discussion of a specific problem at a meeting, getting answers from shop attendees, and so on.

Receiving secondary information is sometimes called "library" or "office". And for their collection, both internal and external sources can be involved. What is their difference?

An example of statistical observation using internal secondary sources is the application of:

- information system of the organization;

- data from previous studies;

- Written reports of employees.

External secondary data is obtained from:

- reports of statistical bodies;

- electronic database;

- mass media;

- Reports of professional associations, marketing agencies, etc.

Methods of data collection

How is the primary registration of information necessary for research done? There are the following ways of statistical observation: direct and documentary, a survey, as well as an experiment.

The first of them is carried out at registration of those or other facts by the researcher himself. An example of direct observation is the study of the intensity of passenger traffic by specially installed meters.

The way of documentary information gathering implies working with inventory cards, accounting journals , etc.

Such a statistical observation, as a survey, involves obtaining information from the words of the selected respondent. At the same time, polls are distinguished:

- questionnaires, when the respondent himself answers the questions in writing;

- Correspondent, in which some information is provided by voluntary correspondents;

- oral, when the counters study and record in the forms oral responses of citizens.

More recently, various interactive forms of the survey have appeared and have already been widely disseminated . An example of this can be the answers of respondents by phone, on the Internet or by e-mail.

Forms of data collection

Methods of statistical observation should have a scientific justification. Improperly organized work will get research into failure. Errors of statistical observation will make the next stages of reporting impossible. This feature must be borne in mind. After all, for the correct answer to the questions posed, it is important to take into account the totality of the phenomena studied.

In Russia, there are two forms of federal statistical observation. The first is reporting itself. It, as a rule, uses the statistics of the national economy. The second form is a specially organized observation. It finds its application in the analysis of the studied processes and phenomena.

An example of statistical observation in the first form is the receipt of reports containing the necessary information from individual organizations, farms, institutions, etc. All information transmitted is based on the data of accounting or operational accounting of enterprises. Such information can be collected for a different period of time and can be in daily, decadal, monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual reports.

State statistical observation is also conducted in the second form. This is due to a wide range of studies that examine various aspects of social life and natural phenomena. Such data can not be obtained from the reporting of enterprises. A vivid example of statistical observation of such a form is a census. Practical statistics of Russia conducts it relative to material resources, population, uninstalled equipment, perennial plantations, unfinished construction, etc.

Used toolkit

All work on statistical observation is based on special forms. This is the first research tool. The second is the official instructions for filling out the required reports and forms.

Such a tool for statistical observation, as a form, is a questionnaire, questionnaire, etc. On these forms are printed questions that are dictated by the customer in the technical assignment. In the same forms are entered and all the information collected. What does this form look like? In the upper part of it there are identification signs. On the left of each page there are questions of statistical observation, and on the right - a place for answers to them.

There are two types of observation forms. The first one is a card game. It is designed to describe only one object of observation. The second form of the form is list. It records observations on several objects at once.

But no matter how thoroughly the program and the form have been developed, federal statistical observation can not be carried out without instructions. This document contains all explanations of the terms of reference, as well as specific examples and guidance on interrelated issues. The instruction is a separate brochure or printed directly on the form of the form.

Types of statistical observations

The correct choice of the method of gathering the necessary information is important for the successful solution of the task. There are several types of statistical observations that differ in time and coverage of the units of the population.

Thus, information can be collected continuously, as the phenomenon occurs or occurs. Such statistical observations are current. They are conducted using those primary documents that contain the necessary information. The Civil Registry Office is an example of such a technique. This body collects all information about changes affecting the population. On the basis of civil status acts, studies can be conducted on births and deaths, on marriages, and so on.

Periodic statistical observation is also allocated for the time factor. Spend it at regular intervals. An example of such an observation is a census of the population, as well as the determination of the price level of the goods of the retail trade network.

Statistical studies can be conducted from time to time, without any periodicity. In this case they are called one-time. An example of such observations can be a one-off account of theater groups organized by students.

Statistical data can be differentiated in terms of the coverage of the units of the population. On this basis, continuous observation is singled out. It initially focuses on recording the characteristics of a large number of units. Such a technique allows us to obtain sufficiently reliable information about the object under study. An example of continuous monitoring is the population census.

Individual units of the population can also be examined. In this case, statistical observation will be discontinuous. In turn, it is divided into the following subspecies:

- sampling, which is the selection of a part of the studied population (an example is a survey of public opinion);

- the main array, when that part of the population units is surveyed, whose contribution to the studied event is the largest (for example, the study of urbanization peculiarities in cities with a million population);

- monographic examination, when only one unit of the population is observed in detail (for example, the family during the preliminary budget study).

Which type of observation is preferable? Both continuous and incomplete examination has its advantages and disadvantages. They should be taken into account when choosing a statistical technique.

So, continuous observation:

- due to the coverage of all units of the aggregate provides the most accurate data;

- takes a considerable time and requires more funding;

- not always able to cover all the elements of a particular set;

- Typically the processing time of the results obtained, which can affect the relevance of the findings.

As for incomplete observation, it is:

- it is dangerous that the studied part will not accurately represent the whole set;

- is able to miss those or other significant signs that will entail mistakes of statistical observation.

Control of information received

Sometimes in the data under study there are some discrepancies between the actual and calculated values of the studied quantities. These may be errors:

1. Registration. This is inaccurate information about the observed object (in most cases they are repaid). For example, a clerk when drafting documents in the registry office.
2. Representativeness. These errors occur when a piece that is poorly representing the whole was taken during a continuous survey.
3. Random. These are mistakes that occurred under the influence of fatigue, inattention and other factors. For example, invalid entry of the account.
4. Systematic. Such errors lead to an underestimation or overestimation of the studied indicators. For example, rounding a value ending in 0 or 5.

Two methods are used to control errors in statistics. The first of them is logical. It involves the application of a chain of qualitative relationships. For example, a child of 8 years can not have children of his own.

It is used in statistics and arithmetic control of indicators. It uses a quantitative relationship between the values. For example: column 4 = column 3 - column 1 + graph 2.