Author: Robert Budge Voight

Publisher:

Published:

Total Pages: 15

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Since the enumeration and processing phases of the 1970 Census of Population and Housing of the United States constitute 80 percent of the total cost, substantial advance planning and testing of these phases is necessary to insure that maximum benefits accrue from the funds spent. Advances in computer equipment and technology together with self-enumeration should make it possible to achieve better levels of efficiency and quality in the total census operation. The computer's capacity and speed permits a close relationship between systems of geographic identification, the mail-out/mail back enumeration program, and the processing of data, computerized editing and imputation for missing items, recording into categories and intervals through the tabulation phase and programs which provide for the output of final tabular form for publication. The advance planning for the U. S. 1970 Census was initiated in 1964 and has been carried through a cycle of three census pretests, the last accomplished in 1967. The first two pretests were attempts to refine and improve the census operations in the field and the design and content of the questionnaire. The third pretest included a test of the processing and tabulation phases as well. During 1968, there will be three "dress rehearsal" censuses conducted to check out the adequacy of instructions, forms, procedures, computer programming and tabulation plans. These three efforts represent the three enumeration procedures which will be used in 1970. The processing and tabulation systems established for 1970 will also be a part of this rehearsal step. The procedures established for these dress rehearsals will stand for the census unless major flaws are detected in the execution of the various operations. The adoption of final systems for conducting the decennial census program well in advance of the Census Date of April 1, 1970 are dictated by the time required to print the number of forms and questionnaires required and to permit orderly logistical preparation of all the successive steps in the census program. Further, the Bureau hopes to improve the release of the data following tabulation by being certain that the processing operations are thoroughly planned, tested, and documented in advance of the receipt of the completed questionnaires. Overall, there will be a much closer relationship and interdependence between the enumeration and processing phases of the 1970 Census because of the technology and equipment now available. This should achieve better quality and timing at less relative cost than was possible in the past.