Project description
Model-based error-detection and correction method for statistics
The welfare state has provided citizens with essential social and financial support, enhancing safety, protection, quality of life, productivity, and economic growth. However, the large populations of modern states and the logistical challenges of collecting official statistics can introduce measurement errors that affect the accuracy of data and, in turn, bias policymaking. The ERC-funded COMBINE project aims to address this issue by developing and testing an innovative model-based method for detecting and correcting errors in data on social assistance benefits. In collaboration with Statistics Netherlands and its department for demographic and socioeconomic statistics, the researchers will refine their solution, design implementation strategies, and support efforts to manage and safeguard social assistance systems more effectively.
Objective
Aim: To break new ground in the field of official statistics, COMBINE produces error-corrected figures on (1) the number of individuals receiving social assistance benefit at a given point in time and (2) the transition rate out of social assistance between two points in time.
Background: Social assistance benefits are an important pillar of the welfare state. Policy making on social assistance benefits is based on official statistics that are produced by National Statistical Institutes with the use of register data. However, register data suffer from measurement error that can severely bias official statistics and, consequently, policy-making that uses these statistics.
Innovation: COMBINE tests, applies and evaluates a novel model-based error-detection and correction method on social assistance benefits. This method does not require concrete knowledge of the causes of measurement error. With this method, we produce different and more reliable official statistics on social assistance benefits. Moreover, this method is more efficient than the practices of data-quality improvement that National Statistical Institutes currently apply.
Plan: The project is carried out in collaboration with Statistics Netherlands and, in particular, with its Department of Demographic and Socioeconomic Statistics. Besides producing error-corrected official statistics on social assistance benefits, COMBINE delivers an implementation plan of the method to other official statistics (by Statistics Netherlands or other National Statistical Institutes) and a dissemination plan for approaching policymakers and other users of the statistics.
Impact: COMBINE will encourage a cultural shift in official statistics by boosting the confidence of National Statistical Institutes in producing model-based error-corrected statistics. In the policy field, as the method is applicable to a wide range of topics, the project contributes to evidence-based policy-making.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2023-POC
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
1081 HV Amsterdam
Netherlands
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.