Release guidelines
Official Statistics of Finland (OSF) is a system of statistics comprising the central and high-quality part of Finnish social statistics.
Summary
Release guidelines for Official Statistics of Finland
Official Statistics of Finland (OSF) is a system of statistics comprising the central and high-quality part of Finnish social statistics. The Advisory Board of Official Statistics of Finland maintains a list of the statistics accepted into the OSF series www.officialstatitics.fi
1. Publishing modes and notations
Statistics belonging to Official Statistics of Finland can be published on the web (as html pages, databases, PDF files), as printed products or on CD-ROM/DVD discs. The primary mode is publishing on the web linked to the OSF portal.
The ISSN codes for statistics published in the Official Statistics of Finland series are:
1796-0479 (web publication / PDF),
1795-5165 (printed product),
1796-7082 (CD-ROM).
The main series is not numbered.
Publications from individual sets of statistics containing basic data of Official Statistics of Finland belong to the OSF publication series without a separate decision. In addition, other publications, mainly diverse compilation publications, can be published in the OSF publication series. This requires a separate decision by the Advisory Board of Official Statistics of Finland. The publications in the series are typically issued repetitively at regular intervals. Contemplative material of research report type or volumes containing in-depth analysis are not published in the OSF series.
Publications appearing in the OSF publication series may simultaneously belong to some other publication series, such as a specific series of the producer of the statistics, which has its own ISSN code.
The statistics and publications in the Official Statistics of Finland series are grouped under 26 topics.
1.1 Publishing on the web
Each set of statistics belonging to Official Statistics of Finland must have a home page on the website of its producer. Basic information on all Official Statistics is gathered into the OSF portal maintained by Statistics Finland. The descriptions of Official Statistics of Finland maintained in the OSF portal contain a link to the website of the producer of the statistics.
Each set of statistics has a summary page in the OSF portal. The summary page of each set of statistics of Statistics Finland is at the same time its homepage. The statistics of other producers have their home pages on the websites of their producers. The summary page contains a direct link to the home page.
The home page is in Finnish and Swedish and optionally also in English. The statistics belonging to the European Statistical System always have an English-language home page.
Official Statistics of Finland are identified on their home page by the OSF stamp (see page 5) placed in connection with the name of the statistics. The stamp may contain a link to the front page of the OSF portal.
The user must find the following on the home page of each set of statistics:
- Name of the statistics,
- Description of the statistics,
- Quality description of the statistics, different versions of which are archived,
- Latest data content of the statistics (brief news item, or similar - equalling the summary of central results of the statistics which is required of printed publications) and older, archived versions of the document concerned,
- Release calendar,
- Name of a person who can provide further information and/or form for contacting persons responsible for the statistics,
- Optionally also other metadata, such as information about revisions in the statistics.
Other compulsory contents may in future be required of the home pages as the OSF guidelines and monitoring system continue to be developed further. To improve the functionality of the OSF portal, efforts are made to build home pages of uniform structure in the systems of different producers.
To make data searching easier, keywords are defined for each set of statistics in the OSF portal. Secondary topics may also be defined for a set of statistics. It must additionally also be stated whether the set of statistics belongs to the European Statistical System.
1.2 Printed and CD-ROM products
The main contents of a basic publication of statistics released as a printed product or CD-ROM equal the contents of the home page of the statistics concerned. To a certain extent, the printed contents can be substituted with references to web pages. For example, in brief, frequently released publications of data on economic trends the quality description and the description of the statistics can be left unprinted and a link provided to the documents published on the web.
The URL addresses of the description and the quality description of the statistics concerned must always be given in a printed publication. If the quality description is included in a printed publication, it should be appended to the end of the publication. However, it is advisable to mention the quality description in the foreword/introduction to the publication.
A printed publication containing basic data from a set of statistics must always include a summary of the central results of the statistics. This rule may be departed from in compilation publications if the statistics have been released earlier elsewhere. In such cases, a reference to the data concerned must be included in the source references.
Series etc. notations in printed publications
The following only applies to notations in publications in the OSF series. In addition to them, publications may also have other identifier notations as deemed necessary by the producer.
Front and back cover
The front cover of a publication must contain the publisher's logo.
The identifier (logo) of Official Statistics of Finland is placed on publication covers in the place where the publisher normally gives the series code.
It is recommended that the image file described in these guidelines (page 4) be used for the identifier. If use of the image file does not suit the graphic design of publications, the manner in which the OSF identifier is to be shown in them can be separately agreed with the Advisory Board of Official Statistics of Finland.
The logo is in three languages regardless of the languages used in the publication.
The topic is indicated in connection with the logo of Official Statistics of Finland. It is always at least in Finnish and Swedish. If the publication is in English, the topic must also be in English. The year of publication is given in connection with the topic in Finnish. The font, font size and the like are not specified.
Example 1
| Publisher's logo | OSF logo | Aihealue 200x Ämnesområdet Topic |
 |
 |
Teollisuus 2005 Industri Industry |
The front cover must show the following:
- The name or the main title of the publication in the language of the publication,
- Parallel titles of the publication, that is, title of the publication in other languages when the publication is in more than one language,
- Any possible sub-title or other title explaining the main title; the sub-title can also be placed on the title page if there is no room for it on the front cover or the layout of the cover requires it,
- The statistical reference period(s) in connection with the title of the publication.
Example 2
| Kesämökit 2004 Sommarstugor 2004 Free-time residences 2004 |
| Väestön muutokset 2004 1. neljännes Befolkningsförändringar 2004 1. kvartalet Population changes 2004, 1st quarter |
| Kuluttajahintaindeksi 2004, Kesäkuu Konsumentprisindex 2004, Juni Consumer Price Index 2004, June |
Title leaf
The title leaf consists of the title page and its verso. The verso of the title page is also known as the copyright page. All publications do not necessarily have a title leaf.
The title page contains the key identifier information of the publication, its name, logo of Official Statistics of Finland, topic, etc. The title page repeats the information on the front cover, but gives it more fully.
In addition to other information the copyright page gives:
- Name of a person who can give further information, address for feedback (this can also or alternatively be given on the back cover),
- ISSN and ISBN codes, ISSN of Official Statistics of Finland only in Finnish,
- URL addresses for the descriptions of the statistics referred to in the publication and
- URL addresses for the quality descriptions of the statistics referred to in the publication.
1.3 Compilation publications and compilation publication series
Wherever possible, the principles presented in these guidelines are adhered to in compilation publications with the following further specifications.
Publications which contain data from several sets of statistics or/and describe several topics, and are ambiguously identifiable, and archived, are defined as compilation publications. Examples of these are the statistical yearbooks, which different producers publish. An OSF compilation publication series refers to an entity formed by repeatedly issued compilation publications. For example, the yearbooks issued in different years form such a series.
An OSF compilation publication (web, disc or printed) mainly contains tables and graphics. Its texts are quite brief and summary by nature.
If all the tables in a publication are based on Official Statistics of Finland, the publication can be published in the OSF publication series without a separate decision. If there are other data sources, its publication in the OSF publication series requires approval by the Advisory Board of Official Statistics of Finland, which assesses whether the mode of presentation of data in it complies with the OSF principles. Subsequent changes in the contents of the publication do not require a new assessment.
Presentations/descriptions of compilation publications and compilation publication series on the Internet
Descriptive information on a publication: Presentation/description page of a publication
Each OSF compilation publication has its own presentation page on the web. The page must be permanent and have a fixed URL address. The page is identified by the OSF logo or stamp. The presentation page contains the following information:
- Name and time of publishing of the publication,
- Description (objective, areas covered, etc.) and scope of the contents of the publication,
- Information about the time period the data cover,
- Links to the home pages of the OSF statistics used in the publication to the extent necessary,
- Link to the home page of the publication series,
- Name of a person who can provide further information and contact details (for example, a link to a contacting form),
- Information on how the publication can be obtained (incl. price) or if a web publication is concerned, a link to it,
- ISBN and ISSN codes of the publication.
Descriptive information on a publication series: summary page of a publication series
An OSF compilation publication series must have its own summary web page in at least Finnish and Swedish, which is linked to the OSF portal. The page must be permanent and have a fixed URL address. The page is identified by the OSF logo or stamp. At least the following must be found on the summary page:
- Name of the publication series,
- Description of the publication series (objective, areas covered, etc.),
- OSF keywords describing the contents of the publication series to the extent necessary,
- Publication rhythm/frequency and date of next publication,
- Name of a person who can provide further information and contact details (for example, a link to a contacting form),
- Information on how the publication can be obtained (incl. price) or if a web publication is concerned, a link to it,
- ISSN code of the publication series.
In addition, the page must contain links to the descriptions of the publications in the series or to the publications, or a list of the publications in the series.
Identifying notations in compilation publications
Each compilation publication series has a series code (ISSN). It is recommended that an ISBN code be obtained for an individual publication in addition to the series identifier.
When a compilation publication is published on the web, it must be identifiable as a separate entity. Use of the OSF stamp on the page of the publication is recommended. The packaging or identifying notations of a publication in disc format must show an OSF identifier (logo or stamp). Use of the OSF stamp is recommended for computer screens.
2. OSF identifiers
2.1 OSF logo and stamp
The logo of Official Statistics of Finland is as follows:
 |
The logo of Official Statistics of Finland has three versions; black, blue and negative
- The tone of the blue logo is c100%, m50%,
- The pantone is 3015C for coated paper and 3005U for uncoated paper.
The sign or stamp of Official Statistics of Finland is as follows:
 |
The stamp has two versions, red and grey.
- The tone of the red is #CC3333 (R204 G51 B51) on web pages and C11 M100 Y87 K3 in printed works,
- The tone of the grey is #808080 (R128 G128 B128) and C57 M56 Y29 K5 or K50 in printed works.
2.2 ISSN and ISBN codes
Web publications of Official Statistics of Finland are identified by the ISSN code 1796-0479, printed publication by the code 1795-5165 and CD-ROM discs by the code 1796-7082. Each OSF publication (sub-series) also has an ISSN code of its own. An ISBN code can also be obtained for an individual publication. The ISSN and ISBN codes of all versions of the publication must be given in all copies of the publication. If the publication is issued in different languages, it is recommended that the codes be also given in all language versions.
The codes are shown in publications as follows:
- ISSN 1796–0479 = Official Statistics of Finland – (web publication)
- ISSN 1795-5165 = Official Statistics of Finland – (printed publication)
- ISSN 1796-7082 = Official Statistics of Finland – (CD-ROM)
Guidance on ISBN and ISSN codes is available from the National Library of Finland http://www.nationallibrary.fi/index.html
3. Contents of publications
3.1 Table notations
Tables must be headed, and in printed publications, consecutively numbered. If the number of tables is large (more than ten), a separate list of tables must also be published.
The OSF stamp (with linking) can be attached to the headings of tables presented on the website.
Tables must also include source references if uncertainty can arise of the origin of the data in them, for example in compilation publications. In compilation publications in which tables are based on both OSF statistics and other statistics, the stamp or identifier SVT/FOS/OSF (depending on language) is placed in front of the source references in the tables based on OSF statistics.
Where necessary, footnotes can are used to give information about definitions of the variables in the table, discontinuities, etc.
OSF Recommendations on table notations
The following symbols are used in the tables of OSF publications:
0,0 Magnitude less than half of unit employed
. Category not applicable
.. Data not available or too uncertain for presentation, or subject to secrecy
* Preliminary data
Additionally:
The radix on which percentages are based must always be given in tables,
Likewise, the base year or base point of time of indices.
3.2 Guidelines on statistical graphics
Figures must have a title and a source reference. If the number of figures is large, a separate list of figures must be compiled, and figures in printed publications must be numbered. Footnotes and clarifying legends can be used as necessary. Figures can be equipped with the OSF stamp, which may also be placed in connection with the source reference.
The statistical graphics used in publications must be clear. The use of three-dimensional graphics is not recommended if the third dimension has no content. Breaking of bar chart scales or other solutions that distort the message of the figure should be avoided.
3.3 Lists of sources
Each OSF publication, whether printed or electronic, must contain a list of sources comprising all the source data referred to in the text or tables. The list of sources is placed at the end of printed publications and on web pages in an appropriate place in the publication. A list of literature related to the topic can be compiled separately.
When a compilation publication includes references to both OSF and other statistics is it recommended that the OSF statistics should be clearly distinguished from the others by, for example, the OSF stamp. As far as possible, referring to other statistics than OSF should be made in accordance with the principles of OSF referencing instructions.
The URL addresses of the OSF statistics used in the publication must be given in printed publications. Links are respectively given in web publications. In compilation publications or other publications with a high number of source references, statistics can be referred to by name and the URL address of the OSF portal only given in the list of sources.
It is recommended that when statistics are published general instructions be given on how to refer to Official Statistics of Finland. In printed publications, the instructions should be printed as part of the publication under the heading of, for example, "Referring to the data in these statistics." In web publications, a link to the instructions can be placed on the home page of the statistics.
It is recommended that the referring should primarily be made to the web pages of the statistics as they always contain the most up-to-date data and errors, for example, have been corrected in them.
The primary target of reference (that is, the term in the first reference) in all referencing should be Official Statistics of Finland. Depending on the level to which reference is made the URL address directs either to the OSF portal (reference to the general OSF page and statistical series) or to the producer's website (reference to a certain set of statistics or part of it).
Guidelines on referring to OSF web pages
A. Referring to the start page of the OSF portal and its sub-pages
The portal of Official Statistics of Finland is the target for references and links when the desire is to refer the users generally to OSF, OSF principles, etc. As direct a path to the URL address as possible must be used in references to the general pages of the portal. The publisher is the Advisory Board of Official Statistics of Finland.
| "Official Statistics of Finland": name of web page [web publication]. Helsinki: Advisory Board of Official Statistics of Finland [referred date] Access method <URL address, as a link if possible> |
| Example: Official Statistics of Finland: Basic and Quality Criteria [web publication). Helsinki: Advisory Board of OSF [referred 3 Feb. 2009]. Access method: http://stat.fi/meta/svt/svtlaatukriteerit_en.html. |
B. Referring to a set of statistics as an entity
When reference is made to a set of statistics or a compilation publication series as an entity, it is recommended that the URL address, which directs to the summary page of the OSF portal, be used.
| "Official Statistics of Finland": statistical series [web publication]. ISSN = ISSN* code of statistical series. Place of publication: producer [referred date]. Access method <URL address, as a link if possible> |
| Example: Official Statistics of Finland: Labour Force Survey [web publication). ISSN = 1797-0415. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [referred 15 Dec. 2009]. Access method: http://stat.fi/til/tyti/index_en.html. |
C. Referring to statistics or a publication of a certain point in time
Basic publications of Official Statistics of Finland are identified with a series title (= name of statistics or compilation publication) and the reference point in time of the statistics. The recommended URL address should direct to the producer's own website. If the number of source references is high, the URL address of the OSF portal can be given and the used publications identified by name.
| "Official Statistics of Finland": statistical series [web publication]. ISSN = ISSN* code of statistical series. Reference point in time of the statistics. Place of publication: producer [referred date]. Access method <URL address, as a link if possible> |
| Example: Official Statistics of Finland: Labour Force Survey [web publication). ISSN = 1797-0415. October 2009 Helsinki: Statistics Finland [referred 15 Dec. 2009]. Access method: http://stat.fi/til/tyti/2009/10/tyti_2009_10_2009-11-24_tie_001_en.html. |
D. Referring to individual releases, statistical tables or metadata
When reference is made to a certain part of a publication, it must be ascertained whether the target of reference is a static one or, for example, a database table which may change over time. References should be targeted at static elements on the website. Below are two examples of how reference should be made to parts of an individual publication. Wherever possible the recommendation can also be complied with in cases other than those selected as examples here.
| "Official Statistics of Finland": statistical series [type of publication]. ISSN = ISSN* code of statistical series. Statistical reference point in time, Release: heading of release/Table: heading of statistical table: name of statistics. Place of publication: producer [referred date]. Access method <for the time being the URL address of the release, general view of tables or general view of figures can be given > |
| Examples: Official Statistics of Finland: Consumer Price Index [web publication]. ISSN = 1796-3524. December 2008, Table: Consumer Price Index (2005=100). Helsinki: Statistics Finland [referred 15 Dec. 2009]. Access method: http://pxweb2.stat.fi/Dialog/varval.asp?ma=010_khi_tau_101_en&ti=Consumer Price Index+2005%3D100&path=../Database/StatFin/hin/khi/&lang=3&multilang=en. |
| Official Statistics of Finland: Consumer Price Index [web publication]. ISSN = 1796-3524. December 2008, Inflation 3.5 per cent in December. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [referred 15 Dec. 2009]. Access method: http://stat.fi/til/khi/2008/12/khi_2008_12_2009-01-14_tie_001_en.html. |
Referring to a printed publication or CD-ROM
References are made to printed publications and CD-ROM products by applying a similar practice as when referring to statistics on the web.
| "Official Statistics of Finland": statistical series [printed product, CD-ROM]. ISSN = ISSN* code of statistical series. Reference point in time of the statistics. Place of publication: producer |
| Example: Official Statistics of Finland: Statistics on pension recipients in Finland by municipality [printed product]. ISSN = 1238-1004. 2008. Helsinki: Finnish Centre for Pensions, Social Insurance Institution. |
Referring to a part of a printed publication
Below is an example of how references should be made to parts of an individual publication.
| "Official Statistics of Finland": statistical series [type of publication]. ISSN = ISSN* code of statistical series. Statistical reference point in time, Table [number or page]: heading of statistical table. Place of publication: producer |
| Example: Official Statistics of Finland: Statistics on pension recipients in Finland by municipality [printed product]. ISSN = 1238-1004. 2008. Table 5: Pension recipients and their shares of population by type of pension. Helsinki: Finnish Centre for Pensions, Social Insurance Institution. |
3.5 Use of personal names
Basic publications of Official Statistics of Finland are not issued under the name of an individual person. However, persons responsible for the compilation of a publication and their contact details are given in the foreword and/or in connection with the contact information in the publication.
However, the name of the editor may be given on the cover leaf of compilation publications. It should be ascertained from the separate referencing instructions that the publication is referred to in compliance with the OSF guidelines.
3.6 Changes to published statistical data
Correction of errors
Correction of errors found in publications and web services is essential for the retention of trust. If significant errors are detected in a statistical publication or in a web service, the Advisory Board of Official Statistics of Finland recommends the following correction procedures.
Press releases:
Significant errors in press releases are corrected by distributing a correction release.
Errors in web services are corrected as promptly as possible and a notification is posted on the site about the correction procedure.
An error in a publication may require the publishing of a separate correction release, even if no such release was originally made about it, if the erroneous information has received much publicity.
Electronic publications
Errors are corrected as promptly as possible. Information about the time of the correction is added to the home page of the statistics. It is also appropriate to give the reason for the correction. Corrected data are indicated clearly, so that also the original, erroneous data can be verified.
The same general principles are applied in the case of tables, reviews, etc., on the home page: documented information about the time of correction and corrected data/place where the change is located must be made clearly visible.
Printed products
Infrequently, e.g. annually, issued publications: a correction sheet is inserted into undistributed publication copies and a correction release is sent to the subscribers whose address is known. If there are several errors, a new edition is issued of the publication.
Frequently, e.g. monthly, issued publications: error is corrected in the next publication.
A separate release is prepared about major errors and distributed to the subscribers of the publication.
CD-ROMs
A corrected file and a release about the error are sent to the customer.
The procedures outlined above do not apply to data presented as preliminary, for which the possibility of revisions has been indicated in the original publication. Outright errors in preliminary data should also be corrected according to the procedures described above.
Revisions of statistics
Some of the changes to already published statistical data are caused by a normal process. The concepts, names, classifications or methodologies of statistics may change. A change of the comparison time period may also cause changes to already published statistical figures.
The users must be informed about revisions of statistics well in advance and after they have taken effect. The minimum requirement is that a release about the revision is posted on the home page of the statistics. The release must explain the reasons and justifications for the revision, and contain information about its timing and impact on time series.
4. Timing of publication
Publishing of OSF statistics and publications is monitored by means of continuously updated release calendars on the Internet. A release calendar is kept of releases in Finnish, Swedish and English. Each producer is responsible for the release calendar of its own statistics and monitors its reliability.
The release calendar must give the release times of statistics and publications:
- At the start of the calendar year, at least at the accuracy of one month,
- Three months in advance, at least at the accuracy of one week, and
- In the week prior to the release week, at least at the accuracy of one day.
Statistics must always be released at the same time of the day. Exceptions would be, for example, the organisation of a press conference or some other reason relating to the dissemination of data.
If preliminary data are released from a set of statistics prior to official data releasing, the principles concerning them must be published on the producer's website linked to the home page of the statistics concerned.
Release calendars of OSF producers in the OSF portal:
- In Finnish: http://tilastokeskus.fi/meta/svt/svt-julkistamiskalenterit.html,
- In Swedish: http://tilastokeskus.fi/meta/svt/svt-julkistamiskalenterit_sv.html and
- In English: http://tilastokeskus.fi/meta/svt/svt-julkistamiskalenterit_en.html
In previous recommendation, the notation for data subject to secrecy was three dots (?)
For further information, see Kuusela, Vesa: Tilastografiikan perusteet (Basics of statistical graphics, in Finnish). Helsinki: Edita, 2000.
Last updated 14.1.2011
Official Statistics of Finland (OSF):
Release guidelines
[e-publication].
Helsinki: Advisory Board of OSF [Referred: 23.5.2012].
Access method: http://www.stat.fi/meta/svt/julkaisuperiaatteet_en.html.
Telephone +358 9 17 341