A sample revision is the process used to re-design and re-select the samples for many of the Census Bureau’s surveys of the retail, wholesale, and service industries. This process is performed to
The current Quarterly Services Survey sample was introduced with the release of estimates for the third quarter of 2017 on November 17, 2017.
Sample revisions are performed approximately every 5 to 7 years. During the period for which the samples are used, updates are made on a quarterly basis to reflect changes in the business universe. These updates are designed to account for new businesses (births) and businesses which discontinue operations (deaths). The samples are also updated to reflect mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, splits, and other changes to the business universe.
The size of the current Quarterly Services Survey sample is approximately 19,500 employer firms.
In most cases, yes. Whenever possible, estimates from different samples have been put on a comparable basis. For a detailed description of the process used to link the estimates from different samples and for specific information on which industry estimates are not comparable, please refer to https://www.census.gov/services/qss/technical_documentation.html.
NAICS is scheduled to be reviewed every 5 years for potential revisions, so that the classification system can keep pace with the changing economy. Currently, Quarterly Services Survey estimates are published on a 2012 NAICS basis. Prior to the November 2017 release for third quarter 2017, Quarterly Services Survey estimates were published on a 2007 NAICS basis. Changes between 2007 and 2012 NAICS have no impact on the Quarterly Services Survey estimates.
For a more detailed comparison between the 2007 and 2012 NAICS, please see the NAICS Concordance Tables.