The Past, Present, and Future of Federal Surveys: Observations from the Committee on National Statistics

• Activity Number: 371
• Type: Invited
• Date/Time: Tuesday, August 5, 2014 : 2:00 PM to 3:50 PM
• Sponsor: Social Statistics Section
• Author(s): Lawrence Brown*+ and Constance Citro
• Companies: Wharton School and Committee on National Statistics
• Keywords: Federal survey ; statistical program review

Abstract

Probability surveys of individuals, households, and businesses are the lifeblood of federal statistical programs and provide vitally important information on a wide range of topics. The Committee on National Statistics (CNSTAT) over the past 10 years has conducted intensive reviews of more than a dozen major statistical surveys, including surveys of farmers, state and local governments, academia, and the federal government. These survey cover crime victimization, transportation, energy consumption, consumer expenditures, time use, the health and development of children, and the general purpose American Community Survey. This paper distills findings and recommendations from these CNSTAT studies that have broad applicability for helping the federal statistical system keep its surveys as relevant, timely, and accurate as possible: What problems showed up in common across surveys? What are possible solutions? What are the major challenges and opportunities for federal surveys in the future? Discussants will comment from the perspective of a federal statistical agency seeking review, and from a review panel providing recommendations for change.