Developing an Integrated Annual Survey

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FCSM - November 2021

Any views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of the Census Bureau. The Census Bureau has reviewed this data product for unauthorized disclosure of confidential information. (Approval ID: CBDRB-FY22-ESMD006-003)

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Project Background

The Census Bureau requested the Committee on National Statistics to review our portfolio of annual economic surveys.

Economic Directorate leadership assessed the recommendations and determined the scope.

The end result of this large-scale effort will be a new program called the Annual Integrated Economic Survey (AIES).

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Drivers of this Effort

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Communication is key!

Stakeholders

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Accomplishments

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Finalized a Stakeholder Engagement Plan

Completed a draft of the Annual Program Requirements

Built a content repository and identified content for new AIES modules

Conducted a record-keeping study to see how businesses maintain their books and get a better idea of data accessibility

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Accomplishments (cont.)

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Carried out a coordinated collection pilot, consolidating contacts and communication within companies in multiple in-scope surveys 

Completed a prototype list of business units in-scope to AIES

Studied feasibility of coordinated sampling across all in-scope programs

Determined the sampling unit

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Current & Upcoming Work

Use sound data management principles to standardize variable names to align across programs, including the Economic Census

Conduct a Pilot Survey in 2022 (for survey year 2021)

Determine program requirements and systematic solutions, leveraging latest technology

Develop the production frame and conduct sample design research

Align edit & imputation methodology and micro/macro review tools

Create table layout plans for publication

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Key Tasks/Deliverables

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| Key Task/Deliverable                              | Planned Timeframe       |
|---------------------------------------------------|-------------------------|
| Conduct cognitive testing                         | Oct. 2021 – Mar. 2022   |
| Complete the pilot survey                         | Jan. – Dec. 2022        |
| Deliver production frame methodology and programs | Sept. 2022              |
| Finalize instrument requirements                  | Oct. 2022               |
| Obtain the sample                                 | Jul. - Aug. 2023        |
| Perform usability testing                         | Jul. - Aug. 2023        |
| Receive production-ready instrument               | Dec. 2023               |
| Mail the Annual Integrated Economic Survey        | Jan.-Mar. 2024          |
| Release new products                              | 2025                    |

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Challenges

Establishing the appropriate collection unit

Determining which processing system to use since current in-scope surveys process data in different systems

Planning for a pilot given tight timeframes and stretched resources

Knowing what to test from a research perspective

Availability of enterprise solutions

Adequate resources and competing priorities

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Contacts:

James.N.Burton@census.gov – AIES Program Coordinator

Blynda.K.Metcalf@census.gov – AIES Product Owner

Jenna.Morse@census.gov – AIES Project Manager

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