Census stakeholders may wish to respond to a pair of new notices in the Federal Register relating to the American Community Survey (ACS).
The first regards the ACS Methods Panel, “a research program at the Census Bureau designed to address and respond to survey issues and needs of the ACS. As part of the Decennial Census Program, the ACS also provides an opportunity to research and test elements of survey data collection that relate to the decennial census. As such, the ACS Methods Panel can serve as a testbed for the decennial census. From 2025 to 2028, the ACS Methods Panel may test ACS and decennial census methods for reducing survey cost, addressing respondent burden, and improving survey response, data quality, and survey efficiencies for housing units and group quarters. The ACS Methods Panel may also address other emerging needs of the program.”
The notice includes plans for a Questionnaire Timing Test, an Internet Instrument Response Option and Error Message Design Test, Additional Internet Instrument Testing, Self-Response Mail Messaging and Contact Strategies Testing, Content Testing, and Nonresponse Follow-up Data Collection Testing. The Census Bureau “may propose additional testing as needed.”
This Federal Register Notice offers an opportunity for stakeholders to share information on testing needs and areas for the Bureau to consider for focus, as well as recommendations on how to achieve them.
Public comments on the ACS Methods Panel are due by December 23, 2024.
The second regards the proposed extension of the American Community Survey (ACS) and Puerto Rico Community Survey (PRCS).
This Federal Register Notice on the extension is mostly pro-forma, but presents an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss the importance, benefits and uses provided by the surveys, particular the ACS, for the nation as a whole and for their particular areas of interest.
Public comments on the extension of the ACS and PRCS are due by January 6, 2025.
