OECD Guide to Measuring the Information Society 2011

The OECD Guide to Measuring the Information Society provides the statistical definitions, classifications and methods to measure and compare the information society across countries. It provides a standard reference for statisticians, analysts and policy-makers in the field. In particular, the guide should assist countries that want to start or develop new statistical programmes to measure the information society.

Background

The OECD’s Working Party on Indicators for the Information Society has set a number of standards for measuring the information society. These include:

• the definition of industries producing ICT goods and services (the “ICT sector”) (2007)
• a classification of ICT products (goods and services) (2009)
• the definition of a “content and media” sector (2007)
• a classification of content and media products (2009)
• definitions of electronic commerce and Internet commerce transactions (2009), and
• model questionnaires and methodologies for measuring ICT use and e-commerce by businesses, households and individuals (2005)

These statistical standards – along with other information on information society measurement – have been brought together in the OECD Guide to Measuring the Information Society. The first edition was issued in 2005 and was largely revised over the period 2007 to 2009. Both the 2005 and 2009 versions are available online. The new 2011 edition marks the first time an update is published in print. Its main additions include:

• the revised definition of e-commerce
• the revised classification for measuring ICT goods
• an update of the international scene
• an update on measurement in non-member economies
• the revision of the partnership core ICT indicators

Readers can access the book choosing from the following options:

• Download the PDF (206pp) for free and/or purchase the paperback edition (£53) from the OECD Online Bookshop.
• Subscribers and readers at subscribing institutions can access the online edition on the OECD iLibrary.

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