Through education and outreach NASS aims to assist data users in understanding and interpreting NASS's programs and publications. To better understand agricultural statistics information has been provided on regulations guiding the agency, NASS agricultural statistics programs, and data quality and methodology.
The following are the first pieces in a long-term effort to better serve NASS data users. This material will be updated and new material will be added over time.
Regulations Guiding NASS
- Mission Statement
- Confidentiality Pledge
- Security Pledge
- Statement of Commitment to Scientific Integrity
- Regulations Guiding NASS
- Release and Dissemination of Statistical Products
- Compilation, Release, and Evaluation of Principal Federal Economic Indicators
Agricultural Statistics Programs
Statistical Aspects of Surveys
A Series of Articles for Nontechnical Readers
These articles were originally written in 1989 to communicate key statistical concepts of NASS surveys to nontechnical readers. Authors were told to not lose sight of the target audience and to be creative in their presentation. In 2008, these articles were edited to replace dated references and examples. The authors listed are the original authors.
- Foreword
- Probability or nonprobability: a survey is a Survey - or is it?
- Sampling errors -- necessary but controllable
- Nonsampling errors - we know you’re out there ... and we’re gonna get ya’!
- What's in a frame?
- Mr. Sam Puller provides some tips on sampling methods
- Stratification - how can we live without it?
- The NASS response to nonresponse
- Try this sample on for size
- Estimators and the estimation process
- Quality assurance - are we doing enough?
Last modified: 02/28/12