Principle 2 - Professionalism

To retain trust in official statistics, the statistical agencies need to decide according to strictly professional considerations, including scientific principles and professional ethics, on the methods and procedures for the collection, processing, storage and presentation of statistical data.

This principle extends the impartiality element of Principle 1. Sound statistical methodology based around the use of frameworks and

statistical standards , the correct

application of statistical methods and objective

presentation of statistics must be used for the production and presentation of statistics. Such methodology should be chosen by the statistical agency, free from political interference and in accordance with professional ethics and current best practice in the application of methodology that comes through staff receiving

statistical training and the support of

research and innovation .

Quality management of processes for collection, production and analysis should be followed to ensure that there is sound application of methodology and statistics of the desired quality are produced.