Statistical Policy Working Paper 3. An Error Profile: Employment as Measured by the Current Population Survey

摘要

An objective of the error profile is to make a comprehensive list of the survey operations with the documentation of what is known about each survey operation as a potential source of nonsampling error. When possible, the magnitude of the error is given. When no data are available about the source of error and possible impact, this is also noted. Each stage of the survey from the choice of the sampling frame to the analysis of the data in a final publication is described. Associated with each stage of the survey is a description of the process and then a discussion of what is known about possible errors or biases arising from the process. The stages examined are as follows: Sampling design, Observational design, Data preparation design, Production of estimates, and Analysis and publication.