Do principles and ethics of official statistics need to be adjusted to national circumstances? A discussion

Abstract

This article addresses the question posed at a session at the 2023 World Statistics Congress in Ottawa. It looks at both the ISI's Declaration of Professional Statistical Ethics and the United Nations’ Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics. It concludes that two highest levels of the ethical hierarchy (values and principles) should not be adjusted for national circumstances. However, their application will be different as nations can be working in very different environments. Therefore, the two lowest levels of the ethical hierarchy (codes of conduct and guidelines) can be adjusted for national circumstances. The paper also explores some of the newer challenges for compliance with principles. It finishes with a suggestion on how to encourage greater compliance with the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics.