This paper discusses the principal operations and sources of error found in surveys with reference to the Survey of Income and Program Participation. The discussion primarily focuses on potential sources of nonsampling error and what, if anything, is known about their effect on SIPP estimates. In addition, the report discusses SIPP sample size considerations, its effectiveness at detecting measures of change from year to year, and its reliability for subgroup analysis.

Others in Series

WORKING PAPER | MAY 1987

Differences between SIPP and Food and Nutrition Service Program Data

The paper notes differences between SIPP and Food and Nutrition Service program data on child nutrition programs and WIC.

WORKING PAPER | MAY 1987

SIPP: Filling Data Gaps on the Poverty and Social Welfare Fronts

Researchers for many years have pointed out the data gaps in our present day poverty statistics.

WORKING PAPER | AUGUST 1987

Response Errors in Labor Surveys: Comparisons of Self and Proxy

In this paper, a traditional response error model is modified to incorporate selectivity bias explicitly. The model is estimated on monthly earnings data.

Related Information

Survey of Income and Program Participation Working Papers