The Past, Present, and Future of Federal Surveys: Observations from the Committee on National Statistics
Lawrence Brown
Wharton School
Constance Citro
Committee on National Statistics
Carol House
Committee on National Statistics
Krisztina Marton
Committee on National Statistics
Christopher Mackie
Committee on National Statistics
The Federal statistical agencies conduct a multitude of probability surveys providing vitally important information for use by Congress, the executive branch, state and local governments, businesses, nonprofits and academia. These surveys cover a diversity of subject matter, including crime victimization, transportation, energy consumption, consumer expenditures, time use, the health and development of children, and the general purpose American Community Survey. The Committee on National Statistics (CNSTAT) over the past 10 years has conducted intensive reviews of more than a dozen major statistical surveys. This paper distills findings and recommendations from these reviews that have broad applicability for helping keep federal surveys as relevant, timely, and accurate as possible. The paper discusses issues common across surveys and solutions proposed in these reviews. These examples lead into a discussion of future challenges and opportunities for federal surveys. Discussants will comment from the perspective of a federal statistical agency seeking a program review, and from that of a CNSTAT panel providing recommendations for change.