Julius Shiskin Memorial Award for Economic Statistics Seminar: Strategies for Integration and Innovation in Federal Economic Statistics

Speaker: Brent R. Moulton, Bureau of Economic Analysis
Chair: Robert P. Parker, Consultant
Date and Time: Wednesday, 20 January 2016, 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m.
Location: Bureau of Economic Analysis, 1441 "L" Street, NW, Washington, 2nd Floor Conference Center
To be placed on the attendance list, please email Sarah.Garrick@bea.gov by noon the day before the seminar, or call 202-606-5641. Bring a photo ID and arrive a few minutes early to allow time for passing through security. The Visitor's Center is located directly to the right as you enter through the front doors. The nearest Metro stations are McPherson Square (Orange/Blue/Silver) and Farragut North (Red Line).

Abstract: How can federal statistical agencies develop and successfully implement a strategy for innovation? The speaker presents and illustrates principles for innovation in federal economic statistics with a focus on developing integrated statistics—statistics that use consistent concepts, definitions, and classifications, thereby allowing data users to clearly interpret and analyze them within a coherent system of economic statistics. The principles are illustrated with detailed examples of both successful and unsuccessful innovations drawn from work on integration of macroeconomic statistics, on identification and removal of biases in the consumer price index, and on updating and revising international guidelines. The talk concludes with a discussion of emerging issues and strategies for anticipating and addressing the changing needs of data users.