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Designing the 2010 Census First Interim Report (2000) / Chapter Skim
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The Master Trace Sample
Pages 11-18

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From page 11...
... Thus the information will include both the data collected from the respondents and data related to census operations, such as number of follow-up attempts, thereby showing how the various stages of data collection, processing, and treatment work. The resulting database is intended to be used to examine a wide variety of questions concerning census operations, including evaluation of potential alternatives to current census procedures for use in planning for 2010.3 The master trace sample will have two main components: a 0.5 percent systematic sample of addresses and all addresses from a sample (of unknown rate)
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From page 12...
... , the master trace sample selection has five separate samples: a sample of addresses in the mailback universe on the Decennial Master Address File (DMAF) ; a sample of addresses from update/leave areas; a sample of addresses from list/enumerate areas; a sample of addresses discovered during various field operations, especially nonresponse follow-up; and a sample of addresses generated from other sources, such as "Be Counted" forms.
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From page 13...
... Therefore, we strongly endorse the recommendation of the Panel on Alternative Census Methodologies for the 2000 census, and we note that the current design is much broader than described by the previous panels, especially with regard to the plans to incorporate information on enumerators and from administrative records. Since even more limited versions of a master trace sample are difficult to implement, the Census Bureau deserves strong praise for its efforts toward making this version of the master trace sample a reality.
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From page 14...
... The primary selection algorithm is used to determine which information relative to a census address is the information to be used for that address when an address has multiple submissions, and it is also used to identify duplicate entries. While the results of the primary selection algorithm are included in the plans for the master trace sample, it is not clear that the operations of the components of this algorithm will be able to be examined so that improvements to the algorithm can be identified.
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From page 15...
... The current plans are to apply proportional sampling to both ACE and non-ACE block clusters. Given the additional information collected in ACE block clusters, there is much to be gained from oversampling ACE block clusters in the master trace sample.
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From page 16...
... While the job of nonresponse follow-up enumeration is difficult, with limited opportunities for training and supervision, the panel's proposal is for a very small amount of information for each enumerator. Given the high value of this information, the panel strongly urges that the Census Bureau examine methods for encouraging field offices to give this a high priority.
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From page 17...
... To avoid this possibility, the panel suggests more emphasis and planning be given to the need to capture perishable files as soon as their immediate utility ends. Setting Priorities for Structure, Access, and Research The Census Bureau has postponed final consideration of the database layout for the master trace sample database in favor of final planning for the data collection.
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From page 18...
... Collecting Information for a Model of Total Census Error The panel believes that the Census Bureau's current plans are to make use of a model of total census error to assist with census evaluations and decisions, including the decision on whether and how to make use of the 2010 analog to ACE to support adjustment of census counts. Without a priori support for or use of any particular version of this model, evidence is needed to show that the plans for the master trace sample, augmented by the planned evaluation studies for the 2000 census, contain information that will support reliable estimation of all components of error for the 2000 census.
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Key Terms

  • trace sample
  • sample database
  • block clusters
  • census bureau
  • current plans

  • ace block
  • administrative records
  • primary selection
  • selection algorithm
  • housing units

  • systematic sample
  • information collected
  • census processes
  • content reinterview
  • percent systematic

  • useful source
  • sample data
  • address file
  • master address
  • decennial response

  • files generated
  • alternative designs
  • records database
  • field operations
  • field enumeration

  • response file
  • assessing alternative
  • coverage evaluation
  • reinterview survey
  • census operations


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