Establishing and Monitoring Statistical Standards in USDA-NASS

• Activity Number: 19
• Type: Topic Contributed
• Date/Time: Sunday, August 1, 2010 : 2:00 PM to 3:50 PM
• Sponsor: Section on Survey Research Methods
• Author(s): William L. Arends*+
• Companies: National Agricultural Statistics Service
• Keywords: Standards ; Policies ; Guidelines ; Quality ; Audits

Abstract

USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) surveys farmers and ranchers across the United States and Puerto Rico for the purpose of making estimates on crops, livestock, production practices, and farm economics. NASS has established statistical standards documented in a series called Policy and Standards Memorandums (PSM). The PSM series is used to establish basic Agency administration policies and procedures, delegate or amend organizational authorities, and establish Agency operational program policies and standards relating to agricultural statistics, surveys and census, statistical research, and reimbursable surveys. PSMs are approved for 5 years but are updated as required. NASS also conducts periodic Technical Reviews both of its Field Offices and programs. This is a procedure to monitor the implementation of the standards and determine additional standards needed.