GOOD PRACTICES FOR DATA DISSEMINATION

Juraj RiecanDirector, UN-ESCWA Statistics Division

Overview of dissemination practices

Traditional databases

Front-ending

Process-oriented architecture

From recordsets to data cubes

Current dissemination practices

Spreadsheets

Static file formats

National databases

• Only a snapshot• Data not downloadable• Manual updates

• Fully controlled presentation• Combine data, text, charts• Quick, easy, cheap

Static files

√

X• Key indicators• Highlights>

• Users have to download all• Manual updates

• Easy format for data analysis• Downloadable, Customizable

Spreadsheets

√

X• Data files for further analysis>

• Important implementation costs• IT infrastructure• System maintenance

• Customized queries• Flexible downloads• Easy updates

National databases

√

X

• General data dissemination>

Traditional databases

Database 1

Database 2

Database 3

Front-ending

Database 1

Database 2

Database 3

Process oriented architecture

Database 1

Database 2

Database 3

Production Database

DisseminationDatabase

DisseminationDatabase

PC-Axis

DevInfo

Beyond 20/20

StatbankSuperWEB

New Chronos

OECD.Stat

From recordsets to hypercubes

Recordsets

Relational databases

Hypercubes

Recordsets

Evolution from paper records

Sequential reading

Record = data item & metadata

Relational Databases

Reporting country

Trade Volume

Exporting country

Importing country

Flexibility

Standard Query Language (SQL)

Generic database tools

Data Cube (Hypercube)

Year

2001 2002 2003 2004

0-15

16-6

465

+

Country A

Country B

Country C

Co

un

try

Age

Data Cube (Hypercube)

Most common approach

Flexible

Expandable

Combining multiple classification

Easy cross-tabulation

√√√√√

Conclusion – Summary

Process oriented Architecture

Hypercube data model

Dissemination databases

THANK YOU

riecan@un.org