Introduction to Methodology Directorate

Methodology Directorate is part of the ONS with responsibility for various aspects of the methodology of statistics and surveys, for quality, for geography and for legal services and information assurance. The methodological functions cover a wide range of techniques, which are grouped according to their position in the development and operation of surveys and statistical outputs into several Centres of Expertise.

Methodology Directorate primarily supports the ONS, but is also the central methodological resource for the GSS, which it supports through a number of channels:

• Statistical Training Unit which provides training is statistics and survey methodology at a range of levels and operates induction training in statistics for members of the GSS

• Methodology Advisory Service which undertakes work primarily for GSS departments on a repayment basis

• GSS Methodology Symposium 

• The GSS Methodology Advisory Committee (MAC) which consists of academics and other experts in a range of survey methodology, and which provides input to GSS (including ONS) statistical and survey developments

• The GSS Statistical Policy and Standards Committee

Methodology Directorate also produces regular publications:

• The GSS Methodology Series, a series of monograph publications on methodological topics

• The Survey Methodology Bulletin which publishes articles on developments in survey methodology

• A working paper series 

• A Newsletter, 3MOONS, about the latest happenings in Methodology Directorate

Methodology Directorates Strategic Directions for 2010-13 are accessible from the links section.

Contact us at methodology@ons.gov.uk

• ONS Geography

  Geography is key to virtually all National Statistics. It provides the structure for collecting, processing, storing and aggregating the data.

• Methodology Centres of Expertise

  Covers the general principles and processes leading up to the production of our statistics

• Training and Consultancy

  Providing statistical training to ONS and GSS staff

• GSS Methodology Advisory Committee (GSS MAC)

  Overview of the Government Statistical Service committee that examines statistical methodology issues

• GSS Methodology Series

  The GSS methodology series of publications are monographs with a substantial methodological interest written by people across the Government Statistical Service (GSS)

• GSS Methodology Symposium

  The annual Government Statistical Service (GSS) Methodology Symposium series brings together people working on methodological developments and applications from around the GSS

• 3Moons Newletter

  OMS's Methodology Directorate's quarterly newsletter, published between 2005 and 2010, providing an overview of methodology

• Methodology Directorate Strategic Directions 2010 to 2013