Establishment of Review Procedures

Census Bureau Principle
Version 1.2
Issued: 05 Jan 06

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

Introduction

Review involves a focus on ensuring that information is accurate, reliable and unbiased and that information products are presented in an accurate, clear, complete, and unbiased manner. All data products should result from objectivity which is achieved by using reliable data sources and sound analytical techniques, and preparing information products that use proven methods by qualified people and are carefully reviewed.

Scope

These Principles apply to the following documents (and revisions of these documents) prepared by Census Bureau staff: news releases; standard Census Bureau publications, Census Bureau technical reports; division report series; abstracts and papers for conferences or seminars (e.g., Joint Statistical Meetings, Population Association of America, American Economics Association, Association of Public Opinion Research, Federal Committee on Statistical Methodology Research, International Statistical Conferences, and Economic Commission of Europe Workshops); peer reviewed journal articles and book chapters; OMB survey clearance requests; and budget related documents prepared for the department, OMB, or congress. These Principles apply as well to all first time presentations at formal meetings and conferences open to the public made by Census Bureau staff on their work or on Census Bureau programs. The nature of the review given to a particular document will vary according to the content, statistical and survey methodology, and policy implications of the document.

Principles

1. All documents released by the Census Bureau will undergo an extensive review that encompasses the content, statistical and survey methodology, and policy implications of the document. The review will ensure that the data and text of the document meet Census Bureau standards for quality.
2. Reviews will ensure that no Title 13 or other legally protected data are disclosed.
3. Publications will clearly state the important limitations of the data, both those due to sampling, when applicable, and those due to response and other nonsampling errors.
4. If a potential data product is determined by the Census Bureau as unfit for use because it does not meet Census Bureau requirements for quality, the Census Bureau will reserve the right to withhold the data product from release.
5. 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:

• Developing requirements to satisfy these Principles in the design, schedule, and budget of new or re-designed statistical activities, programs, or products; and
• Submitting applications for exemption from the requirements of these Principles to the Census Bureau Methodology and Standards Council.

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

• Providing standards and guidelines on the application of these Principles to program areas;
• Producing reports as necessary on the state of compliance with these Principles;
• Initiating evaluations of the application of these Principles within particular program areas and ensuring that such evaluations are co-ordinated with other program evaluation activities;
• Initiating a review of these Principles and accompanying standards and guidelines when deemed necessary; and
• Reviewing applications for exemption from the requirements of the Principles.

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: P08-0_v1.2 Review Procedures