Estimation or guestimation? (7)
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In my experience with gathering statistics from various sources for
compilation in an annual "review" of health, I can safely say that
there is really no one reliable source of accurate information.
Ned Wallace and others are right - it's a very frustrating situation,
especially when we as researchers are required (for good practice pur-
poses) to gather as many sources as possible. However, trying to marry
one lot of stats with another can be a terribly time consuming experi-
ence, re:
> Those who read the various statistics can easily be confused
> and wonder whose statistics are to be believed.
Can I just support Ned Wallace's comments re:
> if WHO, UNICEF and UNDP could agree on a set of
> statistics in a country for a given point in time, confusion
> about accuracy might decrease - to everyone's benefit.
but also to ask how likely is it that these organisations will agree to
co-operate with each other? After all, their methodologies are bound to
be different, their reasons for collecting the information will be spe-
cifically targeted to suit their own activities/advocacy audiences and
so on. These are some of the problems I have experienced with collation
....and I'd like to know if anyone's ever really attempted to address
this concern by going to WHO/UNDP?
Lucinda Franklin
South Africa
mailto:lucinda@hl.org.za
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