U.S. Census Bureau

U.S. Census Bureau Quality Performance Principles

These Performance Principles describe the Census Bureau's fundamental commitment to quality. These principles include:

Definition of Data Quality
This principle establishes the Census Bureau's definition of quality as fitness for use. Fitness is characterized in terms of Utility, Objectivity, and Integrity. Dimensions of Relevance, Accuracy, Timeliness, Accessibility, Interpretability, and Transparency further refine these characteristics.
Census Bureau Principle: P01-0_v1.3_Definition_of_Quality     Symbol indicating a file using the Adobe portable document formatPDF

Development of Concepts and Methods
This principle promotes a customer-focused approach to develop appropriate public information.
Census Bureau Principle: P02-0_v1.2_Develop_Concepts     Symbol indicating a file using the Adobe portable document formatPDF

Planning and Design of Surveys and Other Means of Collecting Data
This principle calls for the Census Bureau to clearly state the purpose of the information to be collected and develop plans that account for the requirements of all phases of delivering the information, from collection through processing, estimation, and dissemination.
Census Bureau Principle: P03-0_v1.2_Plan_Design_Surveys     Symbol indicating a file using the Adobe portable document formatPDF

Collection of Data
This principle guides the Census Bureau's data collection operations. It calls for minimizing respondent burden and nonresponse, validating all collection instruments and methods, and implementing systems to control processes and performance.
Census Bureau Principle: P04-0_v1.2_Collect_Data      Symbol indicating a file using the Adobe portable document formatPDF

Processing and Editing of Data
This principle provides guidance for data processing operations, such as editing and imputation.
Census Bureau Principle: P05-0_v1.2_Process_Edit      Symbol indicating a file using the Adobe portable document formatPDF

Analysis of Data
This principle promotes the use of sound analytical techniques to ensure objectivity of statistical information.
Census Bureau Principle: P06-0_v1.2_Analysis_of_Data     Symbol indicating a file using the Adobe portable document formatPDF

Production of Estimates and Projections
This principle provides guidance for estimation operations, including direct survey estimates, indirect small-area estimates, seasonal adjustments of times series estimates, and population and related projections.
Census Bureau Principle: P07-0_v1.2_Estimates_and_Projections     Symbol indicating a file using the Adobe portable document formatPDF

Establishment of Review Procedures
This principle provides guidance for estimation operations, including direct survey estimates, indirect small-area estimates, seasonal adjustments of times series estimates, and population and related projections.
Census Bureau Principle: P08-0_v1.2_Review_Procedures     Symbol indicating a file using the Adobe portable document formatPDF

Dissemination of Statistical Information Products to the Public
This principle provides guidance on the quality of statistical information products disseminated to the public, to ensure that all such products are accurate, timely, relevant, accessible, interpretable, and transparent.
Census Bureau Principle: P09-0_v1.2_Dissemination      Symbol indicating a file using the Adobe portable document formatPDF


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Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Methodology and Standards Council
This page is maintained by the Quality Program Staff