Ethical Norms for Statistical Work

Today, official statistics are regarded as an essential component of a functioning democracy in many countries. As a result, ethical issues play a significant role at the national and international level. This implies that many managers and employees in statistical agencies are becoming increasingly aware of the common ethical guidelines and aspects of statistical action. It is obvious that ethical action in statistics cannot be considered in isolation but is closely related to the institutional circumstances of a country. It is therefore a question of determining which ethical norms are decisive in the context of statistical work and how they have changed over time. Today, these norms are undisputed within the statistical community. However, there are always developments that questioned these standards. Of particular importance in this context is the professional independence related to the data, the methods used to compile it and its publication. It is expected to provide a reliable report on the situation and development of a country, which requires the building of reputation and credibility. Under no circumstances should statistical data be kept under lock and key. Moreover, official statistics sometimes must resist the interests of government authorities that find certain news inconvenient.