Content types on the ONS website Supporting methodology articles
Overview
Supporting methodology articles are a flexible content type. They can be used for a range of purposes related to topic-specific methodology and research.
Supporting methodology articles will replace working papers, research outputs and some information articles. This template will not be immediately available to use when we migrate to Wagtail, the new content management system (CMS), in 2026. We will let teams know when it is available.
When publishing in Florence (the current CMS), you must continue to draft content using the information article and methodology guidance. Keep any transformed content in draft form until Digital Publishing confirms that you can publish it.
When to use a supporting methodology article
Examples of when to use a supporting methodology article include:
- an in-depth exploration of a particular part of a method summarised in the Where the data come from and how we produce the statistics section (opens in a new tab) of a quality and methods guide (QMG)
- an impact analysis of a method change we have implemented, or a change from outside of the ONS that affects our statistics, summarised in the Changes and their effects on comparability over time section (opens in a new tab) of a QMG
- detailed classifications and definitions related to a specific set of statistics, where they cannot all be described in a QMG
- quality and methods information for a one-off statistical article (where a QMG does not need to be produced)
- methodological research work into potential new methods (non-official statistics)
These examples do not cover every possible use of a supporting methodology article. Supporting methodology articles can be published for other reasons if there is a user need. These are reviewed on a case-by-case basis through the Outputs Governance Process (opens in a new tab)
Do not use a supporting methodology article to update users on:
- recent, upcoming or past changes to a method – include this information in the Changes and their effects on comparability over time section (opens in a new tab) of a QMG
- progress towards an action plan or improvement plan – include this information on your action plan or improvement plan page in the About us section of the website (guidance coming soon)
Supporting methodology articles are typically published as standalone publications. However, they can be published as a series if there is a user need for ongoing updates.
Title and summary
Title
Supporting methodology article titles should:
- clearly describe what the article is about
- be concise, ideally under 60 characters, including spaces
- be frontloaded with the most important information
Supporting methodology article titles do not follow a standardised format, because the content type is used for a range of purposes.
Census 2021 linkage to Department for Work and Pensions master key and encrypted National Insurance number
How the new definition of a stillbirth affects our infant mortality statistics
Developing a combined measure of domestic abuse, sexual assault and stalking, quality and methods information
Comparing geospatial methods for small area population estimates
Read more about general best practice in our Titles and headings guidance.
The title will only include an edition (a colon followed by text) if you are publishing a supporting methodology article series (where there is a user need for ongoing updates). Standalone supporting methodology articles will not include an edition.
Summary
The page summary should add to the title and include any essential information that will help users to understand what the supporting methodology article is about.
Read more about best practice in our Summaries guidance.
If your supporting methodology article is methodological research, include “These are not official statistics.” at the end of the summary.
Overview section
All supporting methodology articles must start with an Overview section that helps users to know if the content is relevant to their needs.
This section should:
- summarise the most important information
- provide clear context
Aim for fewer than 300 words for this section to increase user engagement.
State the main publication your supporting methodology article relates to in the Overview section. This helps put your supporting methodology article in context.
For general quality and methods information related to Census 2021, go to our Census 2021 quality and methods guide.
This article provides an impact analysis of improved response rates to the Labour Force Survey (LFS) – part of our LFS improvement plan.
This article provides supporting quality and methods information for our Developing a combined measure of domestic abuse, sexual assault and stalking statistical article.
Main body
Break the main body of a supporting methodology article up into clear sections to provide users with more detailed information about your topic.
Main body sections must:
- have clear and descriptive headings – avoid headings like “Background information” and “History”
- be focused – cover one distinct topic or concept per section
- only include information there is a user need for
- include the appropriate level of detail for users
Organise these sections in a clear and consistent way so users can easily scan and find what they need. Use subheadings, short paragraphs and bulleted lists to break up the content. Read more about best practice in our Plain language guidance.
Use charts, visuals and tables to help communicate the main takeaways. Read more about best practice in the Data visualisation section of the service manual.
Include information that is not essential for everyone to read within accordions.
Definitions section
All supporting methodology articles must include a Definitions section.
Clear definitions help users to understand complex terms. Use a dedicated section with an accordion for each term to help users find the definition they need.
Definitions are added through a central ONS glossary in the content management system (CMS) and reused across multiple publications. This is to ensure consistency across our content.
If you need to add a new term to the glossary, or update an existing term, email content.design@ons.gov.uk (opens in a new tab)
Data section (optional)
Use this optional section to link users to:
- already-published datasets containing official statistics that the supporting methodology article relates to
- new datasets containing research data (unofficial statistics) that illustrate the numbers a potential method could produce
Do not use supporting methodology articles to publish official statistics for the first time.
If publishing research data (unofficial statistics) for the first time alongside a supporting methodology article, clearly state in the dataset that they are not official statistics.
Include up to six links.
The format of this section is automated within the content management system (CMS) to display the page title and link, release date, content type and page summary.
Related links section
All supporting methodology articles must include a Related links section.
Include links to relevant, timely and useful pages. Three to six is the optimum number for good engagement, but you can include additional links if there is a clear user need to do so.
The format of this section is automated within the content management system (CMS) to display the page title and link, release date, content type and page summary.
Cite this page section
All supporting methodology articles must include a Cite this page section.
The format of this section is automated within the CMS to display the source, last updated date, page title and link, location, content type, and page title and link.
It helps users to cite our publications accurately and consistently.