Improving federal surveys requires thorough testing of survey questions to make sure the data are accurate. The Census Bureau Research Panel is a survey used to test and evaluate questions. We conduct Research Panel surveys to compare different ways of asking questions to find out which versions work best for gathering accurate information.

In a previous survey you completed for the Census Bureau, you told us you were willing to participate in future surveys for Census Bureau research. We contacted you to complete a survey as part of the Census Bureau Research Panel that will inform and improve federal survey questions.

Although this is a voluntary survey, your participation is important to ensure the results of each survey is comprehensive, accurate, and timely.

Your privacy is protected by the Privacy Act (Title 5, U.S. Code, Section 552a). Access to personally identifiable information (PII) is restricted to authorized personnel only and with staff that have a need to know. Routine uses of these data are limited to those identified in the Privacy Act System of Record Notice titled, COMMERCE/ Census-3 Demographic Survey Collection (Census Bureau Sampling Frame). The Census Bureau can use your responses only to produce statistics and is not permitted to publicly release your responses in a way that could identify you. Furnishing this information is voluntary. Failure to do so will produce no consequences but will limit the Census Bureau’s attempts to improve survey methods.

Federal law protects your privacy and keeps your answers confidential (Title 13, United States Code, Section 9).

If you received an email to complete a Census Bureau survey, please consider the following:

Completing the survey: Emails from the Census Bureau will have instructions or information to complete the survey, such as online, by phone with a Census Bureau representative, or by paper. The Census Bureau will NOT ask you to provide your personal information via email.

The Census Bureau will never ask for your full Social Security number, bank account number, or passwords.

Check the “From” email address: Emails from the Census Bureau are sent from the official @census.gov domain.

Additional information to verify the legitimacy of an email, text message, or phone call you receive from the Census Bureau can be found by visiting:

For additional questions, please contact cbsm.research@census.gov.