Data quality, concepts and methodology

Statistical notes

These notes basically follow the structure and content of the latest sources and methods document for the Balance of Payments and International Investment Position. ¹ The description of data for services as a whole and its four main accounts are all presented using a common framework:

1. concepts, which embrace the coverage or definition of the services being described
2. sources of the data,
3. methods used in compilation and
4. products, in terms first of the data's overall accuracy (quality), and secondly its accessibility - what is available and how often. It should be noted that as of this issue, many series are revised beginning with the reference year 2001.