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Discovering the American Community Survey
Discovering the American Community Survey
A comprehensive guide to survey information, data access, analysis, and statistics for America's largest survey.
Skill Level: Beginner – Advanced
Duration:
- Module 1: Introduction to the American Community Survey (ACS) (11:46)
- Module 2: Geography and the American Community Survey (ACS) (25:39)
- Module 3: Mastering the Variety of ACS Data Products; Navigating Releases, Tables, and Profiles (15:34)
- Module 4: Guidance for American Community Survey (ACS) Data Users (16:21)
Additional modules coming soon...
Description
This comprehensive course covers the American Community Survey (ACS), the Census Bureau's largest survey, which provides data for over 40+ topics from the nation down to the block group geography levels. In this course you will learn:
- ACS foundational information such as topics, tools, geographies and population thresholds for data coverage, how to find information on the survey questions, data release schedules and more.
- ACS geographies and geographic comparison tools and resources.
- How and where to access ACS data through tables, data tools and more.
- How to solve data usage issues such as how to know what data set to use and how to compare data over time.
- Statistical concepts.
- Advanced data usage knowledge such as how to download Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) to conduct your own statistical analysis.
Who Should Take This Course?
This course is designed for researchers, students, grant-writers, local planners, business owners and those who need to understand and access the fundamentals of the American Community Survey in order to use our data.
Instructor
Vicki Mack PhD
Statistician
U.S. Census Bureau
Module 1: Introduction to the American Community Survey (ACS)
This module will provide an overview of the American Community Survey (ACS), including its origin, purpose, data collection procedures, and topics covered. We will also demonstrate navigating to resources on the ACS website which will help you find out about data releases, questions asked and more.
Introduction to the American Community Survey (ACS) (11:46)
Resources
Learn More About the Topics in the Video
Module 2: Geography and the American Community Survey (ACS)
Geography plays an important role in Census Bureau activities, including supporting the American Community Survey (ACS). This module will provide an overview of how to determine the available geographies for ACS data products each year and highlight some of the major geographic areas for which you can find ACS data. We will also demonstrate how to use specific tools, such as GEOCORR, Census Geocoder, Census Reporter and other resources to help you answer various geographic-related questions.
Geography and the American Community Survey (ACS) (25:39)
Resources
Module 3: Mastering the Variety of ACS Data Products; Navigating Releases, Tables, and Profiles
The ACS offers several types of products. Learn about these products to discover which is best for your needs. In this module you will learn about:
- The differences between the main ACS data products such as Data Profiles, types of data tables, and special table packages.
- How to access important information about ACS product releases and the details within them.
- How data is laid out in tables using Table Shells and locate available tables from the Table Lists.
- How to access Data Profiles from the Data Profiles tool on the ACS website.
American Community Survey (ACS) Data Products (15:34)
Resources
Learn More About the Topics in the Video
Module 4: Guidance for American Community Survey (ACS) Data Users
Data seekers often have more complex questions about when to use the 1-year versus 5-year data, how to compare ACS estimates over time, or how to compare them with decennial census data. Module 4 will address those questions and introduce supporting resources such as sample ACS questionnaires, subject definitions, handbooks, and important information webpages. We also discuss how a margin of error is a tool for determining the accuracy of estimates and quickly introduce you to a variety of data tools.
Guidance for American Community Survey (ACS) Data Users (16:21)
Resources
Comparison Guidance Resources
Statistical Testing
Forms, Handbooks and Technical Documentation
Instructional Webinars and Data Gems
Completed the Video Series?
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I just finished the Discovering the American Community Survey Course with Census Academy! Be sure to check out their free resources!
#CensusBureau #CensusAcademy #AmericanCommunitySurvey #ACSdata #Housing #Population #DataRelease #Estimates #DataTools #Children #Commuting #Education #SurveyData #HowTo #Researchers
Page Last Revised - April 22, 2024
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