# What is the meaning and scope of our [data-generating-process] (synonym [dgp]) tag?

We have a tag with 20 Qs, no wiki excerpt, and a synonym .

Wikipedia mentions at least three different interpretations of the term: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_generating_process

It seems to have a specific meaning in econometrics, from which the acronym DGP appears to be derived, see for example here or here, or even more generally in the context of regression, where the population regression function PRF is a feature of the DGP.

However, vaguer usage of the term, similar to the first definition give in Wikipedia ("the data-collection process") also seems to be used elsewhere, e.g. here.

In what sense is it supposed to be used on CrossValidated? I.e., what should be its usage guidelines?

• I don't think that Wikipedia page is very good. OTOH, I'm not sure if we really need a [dgp] tag, either. I'll have to look at some & see how the tag helps categorize the information. – gung - Reinstate Monica Apr 16 '17 at 12:03
• Seeing that there are only 20 Qs in this tag, I also doubt we really need it. – amoeba says Reinstate Monica Apr 16 '17 at 20:17
• @amoeba I agree with that – Chill2Macht Apr 17 '17 at 15:11
• @amoeba Wait, should both [dgp] and [data-generation-process] be eliminated? Or just the latter? EDIT: never mind, I forgot that dgp is a synonym of data-generation-process – Chill2Macht Apr 25 '17 at 15:29