The Investigation of Methods to Evaluate the Coverage of Group Quarters Populations (IMECGQP) research project was implemented as a research component under the 2010 Census Program for Evaluations and Experiments. The main purpose of the project was to explore feasible methods for conducting a within group quarters’ person coverage measurement study in future decennial censuses since group quarters were excluded from the Census 2000 Accuracy and Coverage Evaluation and 2010 Census Coverage Measurement programs. The Post Enumeration Survey associated with the Census 1990 was the last formal evaluation of population coverage in group quarters. The 1990 Post Enumeration Survey included limited types of non-institutional group quarters (excluding military group quarters, homeless shelters, soup kitchens, targeted non-sheltered outdoor locations), and excluded all group quarters in remote, rural Alaska and all institutional group quarters. The coverage for group quarters populations in the 1990 Post Enumeration Survey was unrepresentative and poorer compare to those for housing unit populations (Killion,1997). Results of this project will inform research and development plans for the 2020 Census coverage measurement evaluation for group quarters populations.

In 2010, about 8.0 million individuals resided in group quarters facilities (U.S. Census Bureau, 2010). The seven major types of group quarters include: (1) Correctional Facilities for Adults; (2) Juvenile Facilities; (3) Nursing Facilities or Skilled Nursing Facilities; (4) Other Institutional Facilities (e.g. Hospices); (5) College and University Student Housing; (6) Military Quarters; and (7) Other Non-Institutional Facilities (e.g. workers dormitories, homeless shelters and soup kitchens). The first four types of group quarters are referred to as institutional facilities and the latter three groups are referred to as non-institutional facilities.

The high level research questions that guide the design of this research project are listed below.

1. What factors affect the success of group quarters population coverage measurement evaluations in different types of group quarters facilities?
2. What type of study would aid in understanding coverage in group quarters and how would it be best assessed?
3. Do different types of group quarters need different methods to assess coverage?