A potential display issue in the data collection instrument could have introduced response bias during the 2012-2015 CPS-ASEC data collection. The data collection instruments are used by Field Representatives (FRs) in computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI) and computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI). The specific other reason for move categories (codes 15-19) could have been selected less often than they would have if there were no display issue. The potential display issue was that these five other reason for migration categories would have at least sometimes required scrolling to access in 2012-2015, but not other years.  These five specific other reason for migration categories are the ones that make up the general other reason for migration category, and they are, respectively: to attend or leave college, better climate, health reasons, natural disaster, and other reasons.

Due to the potential instrument display issue and potential resulting bias, caution is recommended in using the reason for move estimates between 2012 and 2015, and in comparing them to estimates from other years.

Historical Figure A-5 presents collapsed reason for move categories over time, and shows how the 2012-2015 distributions may differ from those from other years. Historical graphs can be accessed here: