A Generic Data Model for Statistical Indicators and Measurement Units to Enable User-Specific Representation Formats

Based on a review of existing standards and guidelines as well as the current international practice of modeling measurement units and related concepts in representation of economic and statistical data, a generic data model for statistical indicators and measurement units is introduced that may contribute to the further development of the SDMX content oriented guidelines in terms of harmonizing cross-domain concepts such as measurement units. Examples from databases of SDMX sponsor organizations are used to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed data model to a broad range of statistical indicators and its ability to serve as a basis for the creation of user-specific data representation formats. This is achieved through customizable combinations of the structural elements of the generic data model according to user requirements and illustrates the practical relevance of the presented ideas.