Identification of Hispanic Ethinicity in Census 2000: Analysis of Data Quality for the Question on Hispanic Origin. Population Division Working Paper No. 75

摘要

Following a custom observed since the Census Bureau first began collecting Hispanicdata in the 1970 census, this paper will report on the quality of information collected in Census 2000. As did the authors of previous papers, we will look at the quality of Hispanic data from a variety of viewpoints, and draw some overall conclusions and implications for future research. We will begin by reviewing: selected studies that evaluated the quality of 1990 census data; findings and conclusions agency analysts derived from special surveys that tested census data collection methods; and subsequent efforts by the agency to address issues uncovered during the review process and in preparation for Census 2000. Next, we will summarize the results of Census 2000 evaluative studies and discuss what we know about Hispanic data quality based on this recent research. Finally, we will provide an overall assessment of Hispanic question results and describe how we are addressing data quality issues for Census 2010 and the American Community Survey. Planning for Census 2000 Public Law 94-3113 directs the U.S. Census Bureau to collect information about individuals of Spanish origin and descent. A major source of race and ethnic data is thedecennial census. Census data are used for policy purposes, and to organize, monitor, andevaluate various federal programs mandated by law such as the Voting Rights Act. State and local governments as well as businesses also use race and ethnic data for administrative and marketing purposes.