2000 Census: Refinements to Full Count Review Program Could Improve Future Data Quality

摘要

Demographic Full Count Review was one of a number of quality assurance programs the Bureau of the Census developed for the 2000 decennial headcount to help ensure the completeness and accuracy of census data. Analysts were to identify, investigate, and document suspected data discrepancies or issues in order to clear census data files and products for subsequent processing or public release. Bureau reviewers were to determine whether and how to correct the data by weighing quality improvements against time and budget constraints. According to bureau officials, because the bureau lacked sufficient staff to conduct Full Count Review on its own, it contracted out some of the analysts work to members of the Federal-State Cooperative Program for Population Estimates (FSCPE), an organization composed of state demographers that, since its inception in 1973, has worked with the bureau to ensure accurate state and local population estimates. The bureau believed that FSCPE members knowledge of the demographic characteristics of their respective states could help the bureau review data files and products, including politically sensitive apportionment and redistricting data files known as public law data. This letter responds to your request to review the FSCPE members participation in the Full Count Review program. As agreed with your offices, we provide information on (1) the number and kinds of data issues identified by FSCPE members and bureau analysts, (2) how the bureau used the information developed during Full Count Review, and (3) lessons learned from the conduct of Full Count Review that can help the bureau plan for the 2010 Census. This report is the latest in a series of reviews that examine the results of key census-taking operations and highlight opportunities for reform.