Development of Concepts and Methods

Census Bureau Principle
Version 1.2
Issued: 05 Jan 06

Authored for:
Census Bureau Methodology & Standards Council
Cynthia Z.F. Clark , Chair

Introduction

The demographic and economic data and information that the Census Bureau produces are critical to understanding the social and economic well-being of the U.S. population and its economy. The Census Bureau ensures the utility of these data and its analytic reports by establishing standards for concepts for collecting and reporting such data and information, and by using established statistical methods or developing and vetting new methodologies to meet the policy and program needs of its sponsors, including the needs of federal legislation. To identify and meet those needs, the Census Bureau works closely with users of its data and information in the executive and legislative branches, advisory committees, sponsors of its reimbursable surveys (typically but not exclusively other executive branch agencies), the National Academies of Science, and interested nongovernmental individuals and groups such as academics, nonprofit organizations, and businesses. Our goal is to provide easily accessible relevant, timely, and accurate data to our data users.

The data content of some of our key programs is driven directly by federal legislation. For example, the Constitution mandates the taking of a census every ten years to reapportion the House of Representatives. Over the years, additional questions have been added to the census to meet other needs of Congress and federal agencies carrying out the laws. Title 13 U.S.C. directs how the decennial census shall be taken, states the procedures for consultation with the Congress, and grants authority for the economic census of business that is taken every five years.

Other surveys taken by the Census Bureau serve as the basis for official statistics, used to monitor economic health and social well-being, and to allocate federal funds. For example, the Current Population Survey is used to report the Nation’s monthly unemployment rate, and annually its poverty rate. Data collected on foreign trade lead directly into monthly reports on the balance of trade. Other economic surveys generate data that become an integral part of the Nation’s measure of Gross Domestic Product. In addition, statistical methods are used to estimate the population size for geographic entities, and some of its characteristics. The Census Bureau also maintains constant contact with a broad spectrum of data users to ensure that its data, estimates, and information remain relevant and accurate.

Concepts are theoretical constructs that form the underpinnings for theories of human social and economic behaviors and activities that are of analytical interest to data users. Definitions describe attributes and characteristics of a particular concept in specific terms, as well as specify variables to facilitate its measurement. It is important that the definitions of the specific variables required for the measurement of concepts be unambiguous and be clearly specified in the context of the analytical purposes for which the data are to be collected. Measurement occurs by way of the survey process, which consists of statistically defensible methodologies for collecting, processing, summarizing and disseminating data.

Scope

These principles apply to all data, estimates, and information supplied by the Census Bureau to its sponsors and data users.

Principles

1. The Census Bureau will regularly consult with data providers (respondents), data users, and survey sponsors to ensure the relevance and appropriateness of collected data and public information, as well as to keep abreast of changes in data needs and to identify outdated concepts.
2. Concepts and definitions will be clearly stated and related to their intended use. They will be fully described and carefully documented in all data products. These will also be made available on request to data providers.
3. Whenever possible, and when they exist, standard definitions, classification systems, and methods will be used. Examples of these are the North American Industry Classification System, the Standard Occupational Classification system, the Office of Management and Budget standards for defining race, ethnicity, and poverty, Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas, and the Federal Committee on Statistical Methodology guidelines for reporting nonresponse rates.
4. Standard reporting units will be used. These include, but are not limited to, the household, the family, or the individual for demographic variables; the government, the establishment, the enterprise or company, the legal entity, or a logical subset of these for economic variables.
5. The Census Bureau will be responsive to the environment, record keeping practices, and confidentiality concerns of data suppliers (includes respondents and adminstrative records sources) when developing concepts, definitions, and methods for the data it collects. It will actively seek ways to minimize respondent burden, facilitate reporting, and maintain the confidentiality of respondent data.
6. Data collection and statistical methods will be fully described, statistically defensible, and appropriate for the intended survey purpose. When considering alternative methods, attention will be given to balancing costs, the desired levels of precision , staff resources, and respondent burden. New methods should be thoroughly tested before being implemented.
7. Exemption from the requirements of these Principles may be sought in special circumstances using the procedure described below under “Responsibilities.”

Responsibilities

Program areas will be responsible for the following:

• Consulting with data providers, data users, and program sponsors on a regular basis.
• Keeping informed about the development of new concepts that might be amenable to data collection to improve our understanding of economic, social, and demographic trends.
• Implementing the standards established by the Methodology and Standards Council for data products.
• Collecting sufficient information from respondents so that standard classification systems can be used for summarizing and reporting data in Census Bureau products, while eliminating any unnecessary burden on respondents.
• Participating in classification systems activities as time and funds permit.
• Designating standard reporting units and revising those units as necessary.
• Using state-of-the-art data collection, processing, and reporting techniques for relevant data, balancing the need to be timely, accurate, cost-effective, and accessible.

The Methodology and Standards Council will be responsible for the following:

• Providing standards and guidelines on the application of these principles to program areas.
• Monitoring the statistical literature to identify statistical problems with existing measurement concepts and methods and working to address those problems.
• Ensuring that Census Bureau quality profiles for existing surveys and censuses provide adequate descriptions of concepts and methods.
• Establishing standards for Census Bureau publications that prescribe minimum standards for presentation of concepts, data and methods.
• Assisting program areas to designate or revise standard reporting units.
• Testing new technologies that will aid the Census Bureau in producing accurate, timely, accessible, relevant, and cost-effective estimates that minimize respondent burden.

Inquiries

Inquiries relating to the interpretation of these Principles should be addressed to the Census Bureau Methodology and Standards Council.

Approved by Census Bureau Methodology and Standards Council:

                  Signed Cynthia Z.F. Clark, August 6, 2002  
                  Cynthia Z.F. Clark
                  Associate Director for Methodology and Standards
                  Chair, Methodology and Standards Council

                  Signed Robert N. Tinari, August 06, 2002
                  Robert Tinari
                  Chief, Computer Assisted Survey Research Office

                  Signed David Whitford, August 6, 2002
                  David C. Whitford
                  Acting Chief, Decennial Statistical Studies Division

                  Signed Al R. Tupek, August 6, 2002
                  Alan R. Tupek
                  Chief, Demographic Statistical Methods Division

                  Signed Howard Hogan, August 6, 2002
                  Howard Hogan
                  Chief, Economic Statistical Methods and Programming Division

                  Signed Ruth Ann Killion, August 6, 2002
                  Ruth Ann Killion
                  Chief, Planning, Research and Evaluation Division

                  Signed Tommy Wright, August 6, 2002
                  Tommy Wright
                  Chief, Statistical Research Division

Concurrence:

                  Signed Preston Jay Waite, June 11, 2003
                  Preston Jay Waite
                  Associate Director for Decennial Programs

                  Signed Nancy M. Gordon, June 11, 2003
                  Nancy M. Gordon
                  Associate Director for Demographic Programs

                  Signed Frederick T. Knickerbocker, June 11, 2003
                  Frederick T. Knickerbocker
                  Associate Director for Economic Programs

                  Signed Marvin D. Raines, June 11, 2003
                  Marvin D. Raines
                  Associate Director for Field Operations

                  Signed Gloria Gutierrez ,June 11, 2003
                  Gloria Gutierrez
                  Assistant Director for Marketing and Customer Liaison

                  Signed Cynthia Z.F. Clark ,June 11, 2003
                  Cynthia Z.F. Clark
                  Associate Director for Methodology and Standards

Document Management & Control

The most current version of this document is maintained on the Census Bureau Intranet and may
be accessed from the Quality Management Repository.

Category: Principle   
Filename: P02-0_v1.2 Develop Concepts