Report Review and Clearance

To ensure accuracy, objectivity, and clarity of our products, the Office of Homeland Security Statistics (OHSS) works with a variety of stakeholders before publishing data and reports. Some stakeholders have authority to delay publication until issues are resolved, while others provide comments that OHSS may accept at its discretion. The stakeholders who can delay publication have clearance authority. They review OHSS products for specific issues based on their expertise. Stakeholders who do not have authority to delay publication are reviewers. OHSS provides them a chance to review some products before publication but has the discretion to accept or not accept recommendations from this group of stakeholders.

Stakeholders

The following offices or people are involved in review or clearance of OHSS products:

• Office of General Counsel — ensures products can be released without violating the law
• Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Privacy Office — reviews for anything that violates DHS privacy policy
• Component Statistical Officials — review for errors in the report
• Peer Reviewer — independently validates modeling, analysis methodology, and results to ensure quality and accuracy
• Copy Editor — reviews for readability and clarity
• Department leadership (including Component heads; DHS Chief of Staff; and Under Secretary of Strategy, Policy, and Plans) and Office of Management and Budget — may provide recommendations, but OHSS does not have to accept the recommendations

OHSS Product Types

OHSS produces statistical standards, data tables, descriptive reports, and analytic reports. The level of review depends on the type of product.

Product Type Definitions

• Statistical Standard — the methodology OHSS uses to produce data tables
• Data Tables — statistical data without significant analysis or narrative text interpreting the data. The text of these reports is limited to the relevant definitions and methodological notes approved in the validated statistical standards
• Descriptive Report — include trend analysis, cross-sectional comparisons, or significant narrative text interpreting the meaning of the data
• Analytic Reports — include advanced modeling and analysis of the data

Reviewers by Product Type

*OHSS will initially release some data tables prior to completing the full review and approval process of the validated statistical standards required for the report. Component Statical Officials will provide clearance on these data tables to ensure there are no errors in the data.