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Federal Committee on Statistical Methodology Interest Group on Geospatial 

Methods for Federal Data 

Charter 

1. Objective

The purpose of this interest group is to facilitate information sharing on geospatial

methodologies, classifications, standards, and criteria in the context of producing

federal statistics. It is open to experts and non-expert federal employees alike. The

interest group provides opportunities to identify areas of common research, practice,

and challenges, to coordinate collaborative research projects in those areas, and to

disseminate relevant information. The group can organize events such as information

sharing sessions, workshops, and conferences. This interest group does not produce

Federal Committee on Statistical Methodology (FCSM) or other official government

products.

2. Background

Geography is the organizing principle underpinning much of the work conducted by

federal statistical agencies and programs; that is, all activity measured by agencies

occurs at a location or, in the case of migration, commuting, or commodity flows,

between multiple locations. The principled use of geographical information in survey

and administrative record data is becoming more important now that federal agencies

are working with Big Data. In particular, this involves several challenges such as the ones

listed here:

• Presenting statistics and measures of sampling error at different levels of

resolution.

• Constructing displays that help non-specialists to better understand the

information.

• Devising measures of spatial and temporal association with surveys.

• Linkage of observed phenomena with predictors subject to confounding and

aggregation effects.

• Quantitative assessment of non-response based on geographic location.
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• Integrating information and estimation for geographic areas that have different

boundary definitions.

• Understanding and sharing information about statistical geographic area

concepts and classifications, particularly those used across federal statistical

agencies for statistical data collection, analysis, and dissemination.

• Dealing with confidentiality issues, especially when linking data.

A planning meeting was held on August 21, 2014, to explore agencies’ interest in 

forming an interagency interest group. Representatives from the following agencies 

attended: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the Census Bureau, National Agriculture 

Statistics Service (NASS), National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), National Center 

for Science Engineering Statistics (NSF-NCSES), and the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

It was determined that this interest group would provide value for the participating 

agencies through the sharing of information on ways to analyze and visualize geospatial 

data, exploring linkage of data sources, and conducting collaborative research in the 

context of producing federal statistics. The Geospatial Interest Group has been 

operating with FCSM’s approval and sponsorship since 2014. FCSM formally chartered 

this group in 2022.

3. Scope and approach

The main focus of this group will be on the analysis and methodologies applied to

geospatial data gathered, managed, and disseminated by federal statistical agencies,

particularly in their application with statistical and administrative data. In particular, this

includes the challenges listed in section 2, but are not limited to only those. Any topics

related to the analysis and use of geospatial data are in-scope.

The outputs from this geospatial interest group will not overlap with those of the Federal

Geographic Data Committee (FGDC), which is concerned with the development, sharing,

and dissemination of geospatial data. When necessary, we will exploit the National Spatial

Data Infrastructure (NSDI), which is designed to enable sharing of national geographic

information.

The group will hold bi-monthly meetings, utilizing a hybrid approach that facilitates inperson (when appropriate) and remote attendance and participation. This meeting

schedule and format will allow the group to share information and plan activities on a

regular basis and maximize outreach.
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4. Proposed Deliverables and Dates

The co-chairs (appointed by the FCSM Chair) will provide the following annual

deliverables to the sponsor: 

• Proposed schedule of meetings and list of activities for the group

• A report that could include a description of member agencies’ geographic data,

current research efforts, and challenges

• Identify potential topics/areas of focus for an annual workshop in the DC area.

5. Sponsor

The Federal Committee on Statistical Methodology (FCSM)

6. Communications

• The team will provide regular informal status reports to the sponsor.

• The team will use a Wiki or other means (e.g., collaboration site through FCSM).

• As needed, the group will plan presentations to other FCSM or federal groups.

7. Group members

The members of this group must be federal civil servants. However, contractors can

provide briefings and participate in specific meetings and workshops.

Members will be familiar with the geospatial data and how they are used. The group will

facilitate conversation among experts in statistics and geographic data.

Agencies can have more than one member in the group. Members do not represent

their agency. The group must be chaired or co-chaired by a member of FCSM, appointed

by the chair of FCSM.

FCSM CHAIR SIGNATURES

NAME SIGNATURE DATE

Rochelle (Shelly) Martinez 7/19/2022