Skip to main content

The American Community Survey Summary of a Workshop (2001) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:

Appendix: An Example of Combining Information
Pages 51-53

The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.


From page 51...
... is an excellent example of how current best practice permits one to combine data from various sources. These model-based estimates make use of a countylevel regression model, which used as the dependent variable a logarithmic transformation of the current number of children in poverty, measured by a 3-year average (to reduce variance)
Read the entire page →
From page 52...
... At this low level of geographic aggregation, the above approach based on regression modeling cannot be used, since corresponding data, especially for the covariates, does not now exist on a uniform basis. Therefore, the Census Bureau adopted a simple shares approach, distributing 1995 county-level estimates of the number of poor school-age children to school districts according to the school district to county poverty shares, measured using the 1990 census long form (ignoring some minor complexities)
Read the entire page →
From page 53...
... APPENDIX 53 of the ACS, small-area estimation techniques will be required to combine information over time and geography to develop high-quality estimates. Issues of comparability of the decennial census, the CPS, and the ACS will need to be addressed, as will any changes in tax or welfare programs that affect data comparability over either time or geography.
Read the entire page →

Key Terms

  • school district
  • tax returns
  • child exemptions
  • district level
  • model prediction

  • linear combination
  • dependent variable
  • receiving food
  • food stamps
  • school districts

  • people receiving
  • exemptions reported
  • census bureau
  • corresponding data
  • larger sample

  • estimated proportion
  • current population
  • shares approach
  • state level
  • tax return

  • logarithmic transformation
  • approach based
  • model error
  • census regression
  • direct cps

  • direct estimate
  • county poverty
  • estimation based
  • population survey
  • reduce variance


    • This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
    More information on Chapter Skim is available.