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Resource Library
Agility in Action
Knowing how critical the ACS is to the strength of our nation, the Census Bureau is constantly looking for ways to ensure that our customers trust and value the survey. Increasing the agility of the ACS in the face of constantly changing times that spawn new data needs ensures that we continue to deliver deep public value to our nation’s communities.
We are engaging in numerous activities to build and maintain customer support and awareness of, and trust in the ACS. Largely focused on providing a positive experience for our customers, the Census Bureau is working to minimize burden for survey respondents while still allowing the survey to be responsive to emergent issues, keeping content current, and maintaining the high quality of data that our country demands and deserves.
Agility in Action 4.0: Responding and Adapting to Our Evolving Nation
The plan for ACS research and testing in 2023 and 2024.
Agility in Action 3.1: A Snapshot of Enhancements to the ACS
A summary of ACS research in 2019 through 2021.
Agility in Action 3.0: A Snapshot of Enhancements to the ACS
A look forward to what methodological changes are being researched for use in the American Community Survey.
Agility in Action 2.1: A Snapshot of Enhancements to the American Community Survey
This document describes the efforts that were pursued in the past year.
Realizing the Promise of Administrative Data for Enhancing the American Community Survey
Learn the Census Bureau’s vision and guiding principles for using administrative records in the ACS.
Agility in Action 2.0: A Snapshot of Enhancements to the ACS
This document describes the efforts we are undertaking to create a positive customer experience while maintaining the high quality of ACS data.
Agility in Action 1.2: A Snapshot of Enhancements to the ACS
This document shares accomplishments and progress in enhancing the ACS and improving its customers' experience with the ACS. This is a revision to version 1.1.
The American Community Survey Data Products Redesign Plan
This report outlines the short-and long-term goals and strategies of the data product redesign for the American Community Survey.
Reducing Response Burden in the American Community Survey: Proceedings of a Workshop
This report (via the National Academies Press website) summarizes proceedings from a March 2016 workshop addressing the topic of reducing response burden.
Communications Plan for Agility in Action
Intended strategy and tactics the Census Bureau will use to share its progress in enhancing the ACS and improving its customers' experience with the ACS.
Reducing Respondent Burden in the ACS
Learn more about methods such as matrix sampling which may allow the Census Bureau to meet data needs while reducing burden on ACS respondents.
Evaluating the Availability and Suitability of External Data Sources
Learn more about research into using administrative records to minimize burden for respondents, while allowing ACS to be responsive, current, and high quality.
Agility in Action: A Snapshot of Enhancements to the ACS
Research planned to ensure a positive experience for customers, minimize burden for respondents, and respond to emergent issues with high quality of data.
Agility in Action Working Papers
Working Paper
Use of Admin Records to Replace or Enhance Facilities & Fuel Type
Learn more about the potential for using administrative records to capture information about utilities and appliances on the ACS.
Working Paper
Use of Administrative Records to Replace or Enhance Questions about Housing Characteristics on the American Community Survey
Learn more about the potential for using administrative records to capture housing and property tax information on the ACS.
Working Paper
Housing Administrative Record Simulation
Learn more about how the Census Bureau tested using administrative records to simulate housing estimates in the American Community Survey.
Working Paper
2017 ACS Mail Design Test
Learn more about potential changes to ACS mail materials and their impact on response rates and costs.
Working Paper
Analysis of Complaints Received
Learn more about the types of complaints expressed by respondents regarding the American Community Survey (ACS).
Working Paper
"Why We Ask" Mail Package Insert Test
Learn more about an experiment that assessed the impact on response and cost of proposed design changes to the ACS mail materials.
Working Paper
2015 Envelope Mandatory Messaging Test
Learn about the results of a test conducted to address concerns about the mandatory message “Your Response Is Required By Law” used on ACS mail materials.
Working Paper
Results to Reduce Respondent Contact Burden in ACS CAPI
Learn about the results of a pilot to address respondent concerns about the burden associated with the contact attempts made during the ACS CAPI operation.
Working Paper
2015 Summer Mandatory Messaging Test
Learn more about an experiment to assess the impact of changes to mandatory messaging on response, cost, and the reliability of survey estimates.
Working Paper
Researching Administrative Record Usage for ACS Income Question
Learn more about the potential for using administrative records to replace or supplement the income question on the American Community Survey.
Working Paper
2015 ACS Mail Contact Strategy Modification Test
Learn more about the 2015 ACS Mail Contact Strategy Modification Test.
Working Paper
Replacing/Supplementing Year Built on the ACS with Admin Records
Investigates administrative record sources for the year built question on the ACS.
Working Paper
2015 Replacement Mail Questionnaire Package Test
Learn more about testing modifications to the replacement mail questionnaire package for the ACS.
Working Paper
Potential Data Sources to Replace/Enhance Condo Status on the ACS
Investigates administrative record sources for the condominium question on the ACS.
Working Paper
Replacing/Supplementing the ACS Phone Question with Admin Records
Investigates administrative record sources on phone service.
2015 Envelope Mandatory Messaging Test Preliminary Report
Learn more about research into how removing “YOUR RESPONSE IS REQUIRED BY LAW” from ACS mailing envelopes might affect return rates.
Page Last Revised - March 26, 2024
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