Innovations in federal statistics

Abstract

"Federal government statistics provide critical information to the country and serve a key role in a democracy. For decades, sample surveys with instruments carefully designed for particular data needs have been one of the primary methods for collecting data for federal statistics. However, the costs of conducting such surveys have been increasing while response rates have been declining, and many surveys are not able to fulfill growing demands for more timely information and for more detailed information at state and local levels.<br> The Panel on Improving Federal Statistics for Policy and Social Science Research Using Multiple Data Sources and State-of-the-Art Estimation Methods was charged to conduct a study to foster a paradigm shift in federal statistical programs that would use combinations of diverse data sources from government and private-sector sources in place of a single census, survey, or administrative records source. This first report discusses the challenges faced by the federal statistical system and the foundational elements needed for a new paradigm.<br> In addition to surveys, some federal statistics are also derived from government administrative records, that is, data collected by government entities for program administration, regulatory, or law enforcement purposes. Because these administrative records exist, there is interest in using them much more -- both alone and in combination with surveys -- to try to enhance the quality, scope, and cost-efficiency of statistical products and to reduce response burden on the public." (Text excerpt, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Cite article

(2017): Innovations in federal statistics. Combining data sources while protecting privacy. (Panel on Improving Federal Statistics for Policy and Social Science Research Using Multiple Data Sources and State-of-the-Art Estimation Models), Washington, D.C.: National Academies Press, 136 p., Anhang. DOI:10.17226/24652