Sources & methodology

When data or information derives from an external source, the Research Centre identifies the primary source whenever available and, where relevant, the reference period, territory, unit of measurement, methodology, update date and any limitations.

A secondary source that comments on or reproduces a value is not presented as the primary source of that value.

The Observatory collects and organises indicators and time series while keeping, as far as possible, the value published by the source, Research Centre processing and editorial interpretation separate.

Each Observatory record must make it possible to identify at least the indicator, period, territory, unit of measurement, source and the methodological note required to interpret the value correctly.

The terms migrant entrepreneur, foreign enterprise, self-employed person, foreign citizen and foreign-born person are not synonyms. Sources may measure different phenomena and use different criteria.

For this reason, the Research Centre does not directly add or compare values built from incompatible definitions, populations, territories, periods or units. When a comparison is made, its methodological basis must be explicit.

Differences in definition, geographic coverage, period or methodology may make data from different sources not directly comparable. Methodological notes on individual records take precedence over general summaries.

• Business-register data measure enterprises and apply the definitions adopted by the relevant register or chamber source.
• Self-employment statistics measure people working under a particular employment status, not the number of enterprises.
• Citizenship and place of birth are distinct statistical variables.
• A person may be a migrant entrepreneur without belonging to the same category used by a specific statistical source, and vice versa.

When a value is transformed to harmonise its unit of measurement — for example by converting thousands of persons into persons — the transformation must be documented without changing the statistical meaning of the original value.

Research Centre processing must remain distinguishable from values published directly by the source.

Data and content may be updated when a source publishes a revision, when more complete information becomes available or when an error is verified. Material corrections follow the Research Centre's editorial and correction policy.

Links to external sites are provided for documentation and further reading. A link does not imply general endorsement of the content, opinions or services available on the external site.

Third-party materials, trademarks, datasets and documents remain subject to the rights, licences and conditions established by their respective owners.

Published information is intended for research, documentation and information purposes. Anyone using data or content for professional, economic, administrative or legal decisions should verify the original source and the relevant methodological context.