Government Statistician Group (GSG) – Foundation course
- Open to
- New members of the Government Statistician Group (GSG)
- Training category
- Government Statistician Group
- Type of training
- Online
- Length
- 2 days
- Organiser
- Analysis Function Capability Team
- Provider
- Analysis Function Central Team
- Location
- Online
Please note this course is currently under review.
You can use the training and guidance on this page while the training course is being reviewed. The training and guidance explore the most important principles used in all aspects of the production and dissemination of official statistics. Topics are introduced through e-learning and guidance material.
This course follows on from the Government Statistician Group (GSG) Induction course. It explores the main principles used in all aspects of the production and dissemination of official statistics.
Topics will be introduced with some presentations, but most of your learning will take place through activities, case studies, and discussions that draw on participants’ own experiences, knowledge, and views.
The course covers the following broad topic areas:
- the Generic Statistical Business Process Model (GSBPM) — we use this as a broad framework for thinking about the different activities statisticians in government undertake in their day to day work and how they fit together
- statistical quality — what it means and how we measure it
- assessing and meeting user needs
- data sources
- concepts and harmonisation
- data ethics and disclosure control
- quality assurance
- estimating from data
- models, modelling and machine learning
- time series
- index numbers and index measures
- writing about statistics and quality
- innovation in reporting statistics
- the role of the professional statistician
Who this course is for
This course is intended for:
- Fast Stream Assistant Statisticians
- Statistical Officers
- Data Scientists
- anyone else recruited to the GSG
You should have been in your role for between 6 and 18 months to take part in this course. You should be automatically invited to attend.
Learning outcomes
On this course you will develop your professional network of other members of the statistics profession. You will also learn more about the main topics that will help you establish your position in your profession and support your career progress.
How to book
You should be invited to attend this course 6 to 18 months after you join the GSG.
Contact
If you would like more information about this course, please email Data.Science.Campus.Faculty@ons.gov.uk.
Related courses
Government Statistician Group (GSG) – Induction course
Learning resources
The statistics production process
You can find out more about the statistics production process in the Guidance on the Generic Statistical Business Process Model (GSBPM). We use this as a broad framework for thinking about the different activities statisticians in government undertake in their day-to-day work and how they fit together.
Statistical quality
- Introduction to data quality – e-learning
- Data quality framework – principles, practices and tools aimed at achieving data that is fit-for-purpose
- Quality statistics in government guidance – the principles of statistical quality with practical advice
- Quality assurance of administrative data – workshop
Assessing and meeting user needs
Data ethics
- Awareness in data ethics – e-learning
- Data ethics framework – guidance
Estimating from data
- Awareness in sample design and estimation – e-learning
- Awareness in editing and imputation – e-learning
Statistical models, modelling and machine learning
- Introduction to machine learning – e-learning
- Introduction to machine learning in Python – e-learning
Time series and seasonable adjustment
- Awareness in time series – e-learning
- Awareness in forecasting – e-learning
- Awareness in seasonal adjustment – e-learning
Index numbers and index measures
- Awareness in index numbers – e-learning
Writing about statistics and quality
- Writing about statistics – guidance
- Introduction to data visualisation – e-learning
- Data visualisation: charts – guidance
- Data visualisation: tables – guidance
- Data visualisation: colours – guidance
- Data visualisation: dashboards – guidance
Learning outcomes
This learning is designed to:
- further develop your professional network of other members of the statistics profession
- give you the opportunity to learn more about the important topics that will help you consolidate your position in your profession and support your career progress