481 – Modeling, Analysis, and Assessment
Looking Inward: Quality Audits for Demographic Programs at the U.S. Census Bureau
Cynthia A. Rothhaas
U.S. Census Bureau
Richard Levy
U.S. Census Bureau
The U.S. Census Bureau collects and disseminates information products about people, businesses and governments. These products range from micro data sets and table packages to methodological papers and analytical reports. To ensure the information products meet an acceptable quality standard before dissemination, the Bureau has developed and codified statistical quality standards. These standards govern the processes and procedures for preparing the products. And, to ensure the various data programs are adhering to the standards, the agency has developed several internal audit programs. Programs are audited periodically to gauge compliance with the standards. The audit program which targets information products related to demographic data was chartered in 2011. As of December 2017, over forty-five programs have been audited. This paper will review patterns of compliance and noncompliance among the various programs. Overall, programs most commonly do not meet requirements in the following standards: Producing measures and indicators of nonsampling error; Releasing information products; Reviewing information products; and Managing Data and Documents. The value of this research lies in identifying areas where programs might need more support in meeting various quality standards.