2004

Moving from the Census Long Form to the American Community Survey: Implications for the Data User

Monday, 10:15am - 12:00pm

Speakers:

Sharon Lohr
Professor of Mathematics and Statistics, Arizona State University
bio
Nancy Dunton
Associate Research Professor of Health Policy & Management, University of Kansas
bio
Joseph J. Salvo
Director, Population Division, New York City Department of City Planning
bio

Moderator:

Sue Hoover
Director of Database Operations, Donnelly Marketing/infoUSA

Session Organizer:

Joseph Salvo

Abstract:

The Committee on National Statistics' Panel on the Functionality and Usability of Data from the American Community Survey seeks to study the effects of introducing estimates based on multi-year measurements into applications where static long-form census measures are currently applied. Understanding the transition from the long-form to the ACS for a wide variety of organizations and individual data users is of paramount importance for the Panel's work. As such, the Panel has begun its work by reaching out to data users in an effort to elicit comments on their use of census long-form data and the implications that the changeover to the ACS will have for their work.

As a foundation for this session's discussion, three members of this new ACS Panel will make brief presentations on what they believe are the key issues involved in a changeover from the census long-form to the ACS as a source of socioeconomic data. The advent of the ACS could create dilemmas for the producers and users of data. Ensuring that decisions on the creation of estimates, the compilation of data, and the preparation of products are consistent with the priorities and needs of data users is key to the success of the program.

Among the topics proposed for discussion will be the use of moving averages; estimates for small areas, such as minor civil divisions, census tracts and block groups; residence rules; characteristics of persons in group quarters; and ACS products. The session will engage data intermediaries in the audience who can provide insight into the communication effort that will be needed to re-educate data users about ACS methods and products.

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