Analyses within economic statistics both make use of and provide the empirical data needed in economic research, whether descriptive or econometric. They are a key input for decision making as to economic policy. The subject includes statistical analysis of topics and problems in microeconomics, macroeconomics, business, finance,[1] forecasting, data quality, and policy evaluation.[2][3] It also includes such considerations as what data to collect in order to quantify some particular aspect of an economy and of how best to collect in any given instance.