Our research

Our key objective is for statistics to be used effectively in the public interest, so that policy formulation and decision-making are informed by evidence. To support this work, from time to time we commission research, expert panels, working groups or workshops, sometimes in partnership with other organisations, to investigate issues from which reports are published.

We also engage in outreach activities to take forward recommendations which result from our research.

In addition to below, we have produced a series of statistics guides for legal practitioners.

Our reports are grouped under the following topics (most recent first):

• An Exploration of Non-degree Pathways into Data Analysis Careers
  The Royal Statistical Society (RSS) has worked with the Gatsby Foundation to carry out a policy review to better understand how well non-degree pathways like apprenticeships, are meeting industry needs. We are particularly focussed on understanding the role of these training pathways as avenues into data analysis careers, but also as ways to upskill in statistics and data analysis skills for people that are looking to better utilise data in their existing work.
   
  To do this we carried out a national survey to look at broader public perspectives on apprenticeships and data and analysis training, followed by interviews with analysts and employers to understand their experiences of apprenticeships.
  
  Attatchements:
  
  Non-degree Pathways into Data Analysis Careers (PDF)
  
  Data for Non-degree Pathways into Data Analysis Careers (xlss)
  
  Report Summary (PDF)
  
  Questionaire for Non-degree Pathways into Data Analysis Careers (PDF)
  
  Survey questions for Non-degree Pathways into Data Analysis Careers (PDF)
   
• A Guide for Ethical Data Science
  A Guide for Ethical Data Science
  The Royal Statistical Society partnered with the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) to publish a practical guide for data science practitioners regarding the ethical use of data science. The guide was launched at RSS HQ on 7 October 2019.
  
  Data science – the increasing use of large datasets for analysis and decision-making – is becoming of increasing interest with the growth of new data sources and increased computing power. As a result, the ethical significance of data science, and the implications for industries and the wider public, is constantly evolving.
  
  As data science methods become more common practice within statistical and actuarial fields, there are both opportunities and challenges for practitioners. The new guide, for both RSS and IFoA members as well as other data scientists, was developed through engaging with practitioners around the UK and builds upon existing tools and frameworks. This guide focuses on five broad principles of data ethics and ways of considering these within data science work; avoiding harm, supporting the value of data science for society, maintaining professional competence, increasing trustworthiness and maintaining accountability and oversight.

  Download 'A Guide for Ethical Data Science'. 

  Additional information and resources: ethical data science is also available to download.

• Ten proposed reforms to improve gender pay gap reporting

  In 2019, RSS released ten recommendations to improve the UK’s system of gender pay gap reporting. Their implementation could create a system that would be simpler for employers to understand, harder for anyone to ‘game’ and generate clearer results, so progress can more easily be assessed. 

  An infographic of the report is also available on the author's website.

• Young people’s statistical education

  In 2018, secondary school mathematics teacher Robert Silk drafted a report for the RSS, 'How Statistics is taught around the world; Identifying good practice'. It report considers the current trends, internationally, in school-level education in statistics and data.

  The RSS and the Advisory Committee on Mathematics Education (ACME) reported on how statistical content that has been specified for reformed A levels in England might be implemented.

  Embedding statistics at A level: a report on statistical requirements and assessment across A level courses in Biology, Business, Chemistry, Geography, Psychology and Sociology (PDF) was published in July 2015.

  A world full of data: statistics opportunities across A Level subjects (PDF), by Roger Porkess and Stella Dudzic, was published for the RSS and the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries in September 2013. A Summary of the report is also available to read, together with an Opinion piece by Roger.

  Roger Porkess also produced the report: The future of statistics in our schools and colleges (PDF) for the RSS and the Actuarial Profession. This was published in January 2012.

• Data skills needs in industry

  Data analytics: the skills need in STEM was a report of a conference held on 16 November 2016 in partnership with the Royal Society. The report highlights the issues around supply and demand for data scientists in the UK, the skills needed, tools available for data analytics and potential solutions to address skills gap in this area. Published: 13 February 2017

  Model workers: how leading companies are recruiting and managing data talent (PDF) was published by Nesta, Creative Skillset and the RSS on 9 July 2014. A summary of the report is also available.

  In February 2013, Kevin McConway published Remarks on the future of academic statistics in the UK (PDF) for the RSS. Kevin took part in a Q&A summarising the report.

• Big data: opportunities and ethics

  This RSS reported on the opportunities and ethics of Big Data (PDF), published in February 2016, summarising the programme and discussion of a consultation event convened in partnership with St George’s House in November 2015.

• The Research Excellence Framework (the REF)

  A report and data table on the impact of academic statistics as shown through ‘impact case studies’ submitted to the 2014 REF was completed in 2016 by Rebecca Pullinger and Olivia Varley-Winter, and published in January 2017. The project makes use of HEFCE’s Impact Case Study database and was commissioned with RSS's Academic Affairs Advisory Group.

  The RSS Working Group on Research Excellence Framework League Tables produced a report in May 2015. The REF assesses research quality in UK universities and this is published as 'league tables'. The working group was convened to examine methodology and to make recommendations.

• Price Indices and measurement of inflation

  Jill Leyland and John Astin wrote a paper in May 2015, Towards a Household Inflation Index, at the request of the RSS, to take forward a discussion in the RPI/CPI User Group on the question of establishing a new household-based inflation index designed expressly for uprating purposes or for tracking the evolution of real incomes.