LAB 3 Comparing Economic Data from Official Sources

Select one indicator from either the OECD Economic Outlook or the IMF World Economic Outlook. Answer the following questions (a few concise sentences).

What is the publishers' source for this indicator?
What is the basic definition of the indicator?
Can you find the formula used to create the indicator?
What does the publisher do to enhance comparability across nations/regions of the world?
Cite at least one example of a comparison difficulty that the publisher cannot overcome.

Now try the same exercise for an indicator from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (preferably the same one as you selected above, if not a related indicator).

What is the BEA's source for this indicator?
What is the indicator's basic definition?
What is the formula used to create the indicator (be careful with price indices)?
What does the BEA do to enhance comparability of its indicators with those published by other nations?