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<p>The Research and Information Team (R&I) leads on much of the House’s work to
support Members and their staff with their research and information needs, including
those of a scientific and statistical nature.</p><p>The team provides direct statistical
and scientific support to MPs and their staff through the Enquiry Service. In 2022/23,
18,000 individual Member research requests were handled across all topic areas.</p><p>The
team publishes resources to help parliamentarians engage with scientific and statistical
issues, including:</p><ul><li>Library briefings on <a href="https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn04446/"
target="_blank">How to spot spin and inappropriate use of statistics</a> how to <a
href="https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn05073/" target="_blank">design
effective charts</a> and how to <a href="https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn05072/"
target="_blank">design effective statistical tables</a></li><li>POST guides to common
<a href="https://post.parliament.uk/research-glossary/" target="_blank">scientific
research terms</a>, <a href="https://post.parliament.uk/interpreting-research-evidence/"
target="_blank">interpreting scientific evidence</a>, and <a href="https://post.parliament.uk/type/resource/"
target="_blank">data analysis</a></li></ul><p><br>The team provides wider statistical
and scientific support to MPs and their staff through events and training. For example,
in 2023 the Library hosted:</p><ul><li>A talk by the Office for National Statistics
on how it measures the economy</li><li>Evidence Week in collaboration with the charity
Sense About Science and in partnership with Ipsos, the UK Statistics Authority and
universities and research institutions from across the UK. More than 160 MPs, Peers
and staff participated.</li></ul><p><br>The Library provides courses to enhance research
skills, such as a course on finding scientific content and on how to use the Library’s
specialist scientific and statistical resources.</p><p>In addition to the work conducted
by R&I, the Members’ Services Team (which leads on general training for Members’
staff) and the Select Committee Team (which supports Committee Members) may also meet
requests for scientific or statistical training, or work with R&I to address the
need.</p>
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