The article outlines the definition of the concept of Big Data, presents its applicability for official statistics, and reviews problems and challenges associated with it. The paper introduces international experience in carrying out Big Data projects in statistics, as well as prospects of using this concept in the Russian statistics. The authors give consecutive account of interdependence between Big Data and official statistics, which perfectly coincides with fundamental principles of official statistics adopted at the 68th General Assembly of the United Nations on January 23, 2014. There is an analysis of monitoring results conducted by the Statistics Division and Economic Commission for Europe which resulted in gathered information on completed, on-going and potential Big Data projects (as well as organizational conditions for their execution) in selected countries. The authors comment on challenges and problems which have to be overcome in order to use Big Data in official statistics; they specify implementation directions for the concept of Big Data not only to substitute the existing statistical observation practice, but also to use it as an additional source of statistical information and a way to check validity of the obtained results.

Development of cognitive technologies can be identified as crucial direction for advancing science and technology. In its prominence and importance it matches nanotechnology, biotechnology, and information and communication technologies. The author follows up conceptual provisions that were first presented by him in the article «Methodological approaches to organizing statistical observation of cognitive technologies» (Issue no. 3 for 2016, Journal «Voprosy statistiki»). This paper focuses on outlining methodological platform for organizing statistical monitoring of cognitive technologies. It attempts to work out the logic behind categorizing approaches used to reorganize a multitude of development decisions and performance indicators of science, technology, production (manufacturing) of products, goods and services. In order to formulate primary methodological pre-requisites for establishing statistical monitoring, the author gives common and list-based definitions of cognitive technology along the lines of OECD approaches to nanotechnology and biotechnology. Basic parametric level of cognitive technology is set. In the course of discussing selection criteria for interdisciplinary pool of cognitive sciences, the author introduces the definition and recommends using the construct of cognitive engineering. The article analyzes examples of various instrumental methods of examination from dozens of different fields of science and technology (from traditional microscopy to optochemistry and computer modeling) and considers the challenges of organizing the monitoring of technological basis for cognitive technologies. To compactly systematize all the variety of applied technologies the author used three-dimensional organization. In order to elaborate rather small international experience in setting up classifications the article presents an unconventional local classification principle providing for grouping the results in the form of strategic fundamental development directions for cognitive technology, manufacturing and circulation of products, goods and services, in the interface formats: brain - society -human brain (BCI, BMI, etc.).

This article was prepared on the results of the «Development of proposals for the improvement of the systems statistical accounting in the field of research and development» project with the financial support of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation; unique identification number for this project: RFMEFI60215X0008. This article discusses strategic aspects of developing national innovation statistics, role of international standards in the formation process, proposals for improving and advancing the methodology for statistical measurement of innovation processes in Russia. The authors review latest achievements and procedural approaches in this area of the leading international organizations, as well as the national experience of statistical observation of innovation. The paper focuses on upcoming trends in widening and refining knowledge about various aspects of innovative activities that, among other things, are associated with the establishment of the new information base for analysis, international comparisons and making forecasts for innovative sector of economy. Centerpiece of the article is a review of questions concerning statistical accounting of innovation activities in Russia, for which is common an unique observation programme (implemented in 1994), which combines quality and quantity indicators. Analysis of its current state and development prospects was done following principles of statistical research: comprehensiveness in studying innovation processes, consistent coverage of different types of innovations and economic activities by the statistical observation, development and implementation of the unified nomenclature, harmonization of international indicators of innovative performance. Key success factors for innovation activities of organizations are identified and analyzed. Their study may ultimately play crucial part in technological development and modernization of manufacturing industries, and help elaborate targeted recommendations on improving innovation performance.

This article examines problems of reconciling the concepts of statistical observation and marketing surveillance. The reason for this is the emerging need to clarify interdisciplinary conceptual apparatus in some areas of social sciences and a number of training courses. It is essential not only for quality improvement of analysis of the acquired data and to achieve a higher level of statistical literacy in general. The author makes comparative analysis of definition of the notion statistical analysis that appears in the relevant textbooks and scientific publications. He also explains the subject matter of «registration» as a key concept of statistical observation and characterizes statistical and direct observations. With regard to all the abovementioned features of statistical observation, the author establishes distinctive features of marketing surveillance, defines tools for comparing statistical observation and marketing surveillance. The article concludes with the emphasis on the fact that the distinctions between statistical observations and marketing surveillance are due to fundamental differences in the scope and structure of the management objects under review. At the same time in both cases statistical methodology provided for objective theoretical basis for carrying out the observation.

This article describes certain innovative and forward-thinking ideas of the famous Soviet and Russian demographer and statistician Boris Tsezarevich Urlanis that are still as relevant as ever. The author draws attention to the historical period, which accounted for the creative works of this remarkable scientist, with its detrimental ideological limitations and censorship that he had to overcome. Boris Urlanis was a savant in methodology of demographic statistics and population projections, and this paper aims not only at underlining his achievements but also at presenting his preferences in selecting major works by foreign scientists to substantiate his own conclusions and to establish patterns and regularities. He is celebrated as a demographer and statistician for being a pioneer in both formulating questions, introducing topical issues and in arriving at unconventional conclusions, which placed him far ahead of contemporary scholars. The author determines that many of the issues raised by this scientist are still waiting to be addressed by the society and politicians.