National Statistics Online - Articles - Market Research into the National Accounts
Articles Database
Market Research into the National Accounts
Reports on an ONS survey of usage of national accounts publications, and describes improvements that have taken place since.
The paper reports on an ONS survey of usage of national accounts publications, which comprised an analysis of sales data, 22 qualitative interviews and 127 telephone interviews, carried out by Clayton Reed Associates, and describes the improvements that have taken place since.
There was widespread satisfaction among users with the national accounts product set. Much of the feedback concentrated on two areas: the format of publications, (whether hard-copy or electronic) and related charging issues, and the complexity of national accounts publications, including the language used. There was a consensus among customers that all ONS products should be available via the Internet, though at least half the sample thought that the main publications should continue to be in hard copy. The idea of a popular version of the United Kingdom National Accounts (the "Blue Book"), received widespread support.
Since the research was undertaken, there have been extensive developments to on-line provision. The launch of the National Statistics website gives free access to most ONS data. Much of the national accounts dataset can now be downloaded in spreadsheet format, as users requested. ONS is collaborating with Statistics for Education to produce "Essential Data Skills for Business and Management", due to be published early in 2001, which includes some introductory material on the national accounts.
Download
