Official Statistics

• Official statistics = are sets of numerical data collected by the government and associated government agencies. They are often gathered on a large scale and are a major source of secondary quantitative data.
• Official statistics cover a wide range of data:

  • Birth rates
  • Marriage rates
  • Death rates
  • Crime rates
  • Unemployment rates
  • Suicide rates
• Official statistics are published by the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS) and on government websites.
• Data from official statistics is used to identify trends and patterns and to make decisions concerning the whole population or a particular subsection.
• Using the census (last one was carried out in 2021):

  • is a valuable source of secondary data for sociologists - covers a wide range of topics. Both central and local governments make use of census data to create data and enact social policies in areas like education, housing, health, public transport and more.
• Other sources of official statistics:

  • Births, deaths, and marriages - called vital events statistics.
  • Employment, unemployment, and earnings - labour market statistics.
  • Business output and activity
  • Government output and activity
• Official statistics in sociology: Examples of research:

  • Official statistics can be compiled on a large scale - means they may cover the overall population - can also cover a specific group, such as the residents of London. Is still large scale, even is it does not involve the whole country. Can includes data on factors like:
  • Crime
  • Unemployment
  • Immigration
  • Health
• Official statistics in sociological research:

  • Is clear that official statistics can be very valuable in sociological research. Through them, sociologists have access to a wide range of data that they would be unable to collect themselves due to a lack of resources and time constraints.
• Official statistics in sociological research:

  • Using official statistics, sociologists can:
  • Identify social issues.
  • Come up with social theories and/ or explanations for social issues.
  • Carry out further research into particular social issues.
• Other uses of official statistics (OS) in sociology:

  • OS can be used to link social identities and life chances.
  • OS are also useful for making comparisons over time. Census data from the past 5 decades can be used to identify trends in employment.
  • OS can be used to examine the impact of certain structural and political aspects on people's norms and values.
  • OS can be purposefully paired with other research methods to explore the meanings and reasons behind particular trends.
• Advantages of official statistics:

  • As mentioned above, they are a major source of secondary quantitative data. Data collection time and costs can be saved, as these already exist and are easily accessible.
  • They can provide a good 'overview' or 'snapshot' of current society.
  • Sociologists can have data on very large samples that might be impossible for them to collect themselves.
• Advantages of official statistics:

  • Data is collected fairly and with care as the ONS has strict rules on surveys and data collection.
  • Sociologists can easily identify trends over time; for example, by comparing the results of the 2021 Census to the 1921 Census.
  • Comparisons can be made, both between groups in society (such as between the working-class and middle-class) and cross-culturally (such as crime rates in the UK and France).
• Advantages of official statistics:

  • Governments collect data on things private companies may avoid, due to lack of profitability.
  • Sociologists can determine how public bodies (such as hospitals, schools, and the police) are performing.
  • The validity of official statistics can be improved when combined with other (especially qualitative) research methods, such as in-depth interviews.