Overall Objective
- The Overall Objective of the Data Science Division is to use programming skills, Cyber Security, statistics knowledge, and machine-learning techniques to mine data sets for patterns used to analyze the past or even predict the future and develop visualizations to present conclusions from a modelling exercise.
Specific Objectives
- Use Census / Survey instrument to Design a template for data capture
- Train staff on data capture using the designed template and capture data
- Strengthen the traditional systems of data collection – including censuses, surveys and
- Administrative records – as they remain essential in the national statistical system; make them more efficient by using new technologies and methods.
- To process data from censuses and surveys emanating from both primary and secondary sources
- Data cleaning and produce preliminary tables for data analysis
- Deliver reproducible data analysis
- Undertake preliminary analyses of data & discuss with report writers on variable outputs
- Provide specifications for the procurement of IT equipment
- Installation / Networking / Maintenance of all computers through Stats SL LAN
- Discuss IT improvement with management to ensure timely delivery of results from censuses/surveys
- To facilitate the provision of internet facility, management of Statistics Sierra Leone’s Website, Library and Printing sections are also key functions of DSD.
- Develop and implement computer programs that allow computer applications and software programs to function properly.
- Create and maintain Institutional Databases
- Confirm program operation by conducting tests, modifying program sequence and/or codes.
- Provide reference point by writing and maintaining user documentation or maintaining code comments or a help desk.
- Protect institutional information confidentiality.
- Ensure that programs designed are tested and thus produces the required or expected results by checking and fixing any coding or sequence errors (validation and verification) in the program.
- Visualize indicators/outputs to enhance an understanding of key results
- Embrace the data revolution by using new sources of data, adopting innovative methods for producing and using statistics, and forging partnerships with other data producer and user communities.
- Support open data policies and the use of non-traditional sources of data, including through legal and regulatory reform; official data belong to everyone and should be open by default.
- Promote data dissemination and statistical literacy programmes to spur the use of statistics; promote active user communities.
The division has three (3) sections and six (6) units as follows;
- Data Processing and Analysis Section
- Data Capture /Entry Unit
- Data Mining /Exploration & Analysis Unit
- Information System Technology Section
- Data Programming Unit
- Information Technology Unit
- Open Data / Data Revolution and Visualization Section
- Open Data Revolution Unit
- Data Visualization unit
