Accuracy and reliability

Overall accuracy

The sample was last drawn in 2009. Such an old sample will negatively affect quality, as new enterprises are not represented. The method of grossing up through a direct estimate is very basic. However, it is still believed that the statistics present a good indication of stock changes, as all the largest enterprises are included - and it is to a very large degree the large enterprises that account for the significant changes in stock.

Sampling error

Sampling error has not been calculated.

Non-sampling error

The sample was last drawn in 2009. Such an old sample will negatively affect quality, as new enterprises are not represented. The sample however covers a significant part of the stock since they represent the largest enterprises. New enterprises in will normally be smaller enterprises and there stocks will usually have a low value. The quality will be affected if large enterprises enters the population but this is rarely the case. Normally, 5 percent of the respondents are missing in the first dissemination of the figures. For enterprises doing manufacturing the stocks are split into 4 categories. This could affect quality because the split may not be correctly reported.

Quality management

Statistics Denmark follows the recommendations on organisation and management of quality given in the Code of Practice for European Statistics (CoP) and the implementation guidelines given in the Quality Assurance Framework of the European Statistical System (QAF). A Working Group on Quality and a central quality assurance function have been established to continuously carry through control of products and processes.

Quality assurance

Statistics Denmark follows the principles in the Code of Practice for European Statistics (CoP) and uses the Quality Assurance Framework of the European Statistical System (QAF) for the implementation of the principles. This involves continuous decentralized and central control of products and processes based on documentation following international standards. The central quality assurance function reports to the Working Group on Quality. Reports include suggestions for improvement that are assessed, decided and subsequently implemented.

Quality assessment

The sample is old and the method of grossing up very basic. However, it is still believed that the statistics present a good indication of stock changes, as all the largest enterprises are included - and it is to a very large degree the large enterprises that account for the significant changes in stock.

Data revision - policy

Statistics Denmark revises published figures in accordance with the Revision Policy for Statistics Denmark. The common procedures and principles of the Revision Policy are for some statistics supplemented by a specific revision practice.

Data revision practice

With the publication of each new quarter, the previous quarter is recalculated. This allows responses received after the deadline to be incorporated into the statistics. However, response rates are normally high so this recalculation will typically result in only minor changes.

Annual updates (normally with the release of 2nd quarter) of the total stocks figures from the Industrial Accounts Statistics may cause revisions of the previous 5 quarters.