Public consultation on the Draft Guidance on Statistical Reporting

Privacy statement(52.52 KB)

EFSA’s Assessment and Methodological Support Unit has launched an open consultation on the draft of its Guidance on Statistical Reporting. The guidance aims to assist harmonisation and standardisation in the reporting of statistical analysis.

The risk assessment process often requires quantitative evaluation of scientific studies from different sources, such as dossiers, journal publications, and technical reports. The reporting of statistical methodology, analyses and results varies considerably. Lack of relevant information can lead to  delays in the review process whilst additional information is sought from the originating source. If statistics were reported in a harmonised and standardised way this would benefit EFSA and its stakeholders. This approach would also be more open and transparent.

The document should guide EFSA’s Scientific Committee, its Scientific Panels, working groups, units and stakeholders on how to report statistical methodology (including design and conduct), analyses and results (i.e. “explain to the reader what was done”) to allow independent peer review and reproducibility.

In line with EFSA’s policy on openness and transparency and in order for the Authority to receive comments from the scientific community and stakeholders, EFSA has launched a public consultation on the draft document.

Interested parties are invited to submit written comments by 23 July 2014.

Please use exclusively the electronic template provided with the documents to submit comments and refer to the line and page numbers. Comments submitted by email or by post cannot be taken into account and a submission will not be considered if it is:

• submitted after the deadline set out in the call
• presented in any form other than what is provided for in the instructions and template
• not related to the contents of the document
• contains complaints against institutions, personal accusations, irrelevant or offensive statements or material
• is related to policy or risk management aspects, which is out of the scope of EFSA's activity.

EFSA will assess all comments from interested parties which are submitted in line with the criteria above. The comments will be further considered by the relevant EFSA working group and taken into consideration if found to be relevant.

All comments submitted will be published. Comments submitted by individuals in a personal capacity will be presented anonymously. Comments submitted formally on behalf of an organisation will appear with the name of the organisation.