In 2010, the United Nations designated October 20 as World Statistics Day, to acknowledge that the production of reliable, timely statistics and indicators of countries' progress is indispensable for informed policy decisions.
Statistics at the NRC
At the NRC, we use statistics and data on a daily basis, in all of our research areas, to answer questions for our clients and collaborators and to advance scientific knowledge. The NRC's Digital Technologies Research Centre is particularly active in the analysis of data, and offers a specialized facility called the Data Analytics Centre where government, academic and industrial clients can collaborate with NRC experts to analyze their data.
How is your organization using data and statistics? Three tips from our expert
In 2018, most organizations are asking themselves if they are making the most effective use of data and what key insights might be hiding inside their data. Expert Sofia Auer from the NRC's Data Analytics Centre shares three tips for organizations looking to optimize their data analysis.
- Define the problem you want to solve. Set a specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-bound (SMART) objective for the analysis. This could be improving your decision-making process, increasing revenues, or developing a new product, for example. If you are not sure where to start, consult your data team, who can help you establish a goal.
- Get your data team involved early - before data collection starts. They can provide valuable input as to what types of data to collect and how to collect it, as well as guidance on data formatting and data storage principles.
- Cleaning might seem boring, but it's essential. Before your dataset undergoes analysis, it needs to be extracted from its source, gone over with a fine tooth comb, transformed into a format suitable for analysis, and loaded into the system where it will be analyzed. This cleaning process takes time, but is essential in ensuring a quality analysis that can provide accurate, valuable insights to your organization.
Women in statistics and data science
The NRC is proud to count talented women in statistics and data science among its ranks, and encourages women to apply for positions in digital technologies research, including data science. See our careers page for opportunities.