1.1 The German Council for Social and Economic Data (RatSWD) is an independent body of empirical researchers from universities, colleges, and other institutions of independent scientific research, as well as representatives of important data producers.
The goal of the RatSWD is to contribute to sustainably improving the situation of the empirical and social sciences in Germany, and to promote their international competitiveness, based on the recommendations of the “Commission for the Improvement of the Informational Infrastructure between Research and Statistics” (KVI). The RatSWD intends to encourage transparency and improve the use of existing data, build synergies between scientific research and data producers, and help create a scientific basis for political advisory work and public education. The RatSWD’s activities focus on improving data use and data access for empirical research as well as improving the process of data collection by lending support to institutionalized research programs that share this same aim and by acting as a mediator between the interests of researchers and data producers.
1.2 The core tasks of the RatSWD are the following:
In its work, the German Council for Scientific and Economic Data promotes the sustained social development and equal social participation of men and women.
2.1 The RatSWD convenes a Conference for Social and Economic Data every two years. The conference is open to all interested researchers from statistics and the social and economic sciences. The open invitation, accompanied by a Call for Papers, is to be publicized appropriately, particularly through the relevant professional organizations.
2.2 At this conference, nominations for the representatives of the empirical and social sciences within the RatSWD will be made through a vote. The conference invitation will explicitly mention this vote and the precondition of active and passive voting rights.
2.3 The Conference for Social and Economic Data will formulate the guidelines for the work of the RatSWD. The Conference serves to build and further develop the informational infrastructure between scientific research and statistics.
2.4 The conference is a platform for the discussion of scientific themes related to empirical social and economic research as well as process-produced and survey-based data production. Scientific discourse will be the main focal point of the conference.
3.1 The RatSWD consists of twelve members. Six members are representatives of the empirical social and economic sciences. Six members come from the following fields of data production:
The RatSWD can call in experts from other areas of data production as guests to provide advice and also award external contracts for advisory reports. Two representatives of the federal government as well as two representatives of the state (Länder) governments participate in RatSWD as guests, vested with the right of petition and the right to present oral arguments.
3.2 The members of the RatSWD are appointed by the federal ministry responsible for research in accord with the other federal ministries.
3.3 (1) Nominations for representatives of the empirical social and economic sciences will be made through a vote that will take place at the Conference for Social and Economic Data. Election rules will lay down the details.
(2) Nominations for representatives from the field of data production will be made by the institutions listed in accordance with the requirements of the Law on Appointments to Federal Bodies (BGremBG).
4.1 The RatSWD will choose a Chairperson and a deputy Chairperson from among its members for a two-year period of office. Reelection for a second period of office is permitted.
4.2 RatSWD decisions are made by majority vote of those present. In the event of a tied vote, the Chairperson’s vote will decide.
4.3 The Chairperson represents the RatSWD externally and leads the meetings of the RatSWD and the Conference for Social and Economic Data. The Business Manager and the Business Office are subordinate to his/her professional oversight.
5 The RatSWD will be have its own Business Office. The Business Office will plan the meetings of the RatSWD in cooperation with the Chairperson, organize the Conference for Social and Economic Data and provide support to the RatSWD in carrying out its responsibilities. The Business Manager is appointed by the RatSWD for a limited period of time.
6 The RatSWD establishes its own Bylaws. These Bylaws set down the procedures, tasks, and powers of authority of the Chairperson and the Business Office. To pass resolutions on the Bylaws, a two-thirds majority of the members of the RatSWD is required. The Bylaws of the RatSWD go into effect after being approved by the federal ministry responsible for research.
