Accuracy and reliability

Overall accuracy

The statistics is based on a census of 700 public institutions performing research and development and the response rate is 100 percent. Despite the large number of variables the measurement error is considered to be small which is based on the very comprehensive data validation process.

Sampling error

The statistics is not based on a sample.

Non-sampling error

The non-sampling error is low which is primarily due to the very high coverage. Furthermore, there is no over-coverage. Despite the large number of variables the measurement error is considered to be small which is based on the very comprehensive data validation process.

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 overall quality of the statistics is considered to be high. This is based on the fact that it is a census with a very high response rate. Non-response is only 1 percent. The collection of the data is for the dominant respondents Universities and University hospitals organized through close collaboration with central contact persons. The collected data is going through an intense validation process and only for a single question (R&D distributed by strategic topics) the imputation rate is considerable , around 15 percent.

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

Data for the most recent year are published as preliminary figures. The reference years 2007-2021 are published as final statistics. At the publication of the 2022 statistics the 2021 statistics will be published as final data.