The Census Bureau leads the application of social and behavioral science and survey methods to improve the design of questionnaires, data collection instruments, and information products. The Census Bureau also leads innovative methodological research to improve data quality from surveys and censuses, develops new methods for design and evaluation, and applies these methods to emerging statistical products.

Research Methods: Our Survey Methods research staff use both qualitative and quantitative methods drawn from statistics, psychology, sociology, human-computer interaction, linguistics, anthropology, and data science to identify and reduce measurement error in existing surveys and to develop questions for new topic areas. 

Typical research methods include: 

• one-on-one cognitive testing
• focus groups
• usability testing
• debriefings
• expert review
• field observations
• behavior coding
• split ballot field experiments

Alternative Modes, Languages and Cultures: Census staff also adapt surveys for alternative modes of data collection (e.g., web, mobile devices, mail surveys, interviewer-administered modes), and conduct research aimed at comparability of measurement across languages and cultural groups. 

Research Extensions: In addition, the Census Bureau extends these methods to evaluate the clarity and effectiveness of information products disseminated through the web, apps, and print reports, and messages designed to inform the public about research and encourage participation. Most recent extensions include applying established methods to evaluate the quality of emerging data sources such as administrative records, paradata, and employing new methods like machine learning to evaluate and supplement conventional survey data.

Collaborations: Staff regularly collaborate with counterparts in other federal government agencies, academia, and private research organizations, and exchange state-of-the-art findings from the literature and crosscutting developments in the research community. 

Dissemination of Findings: Our research findings are disseminated at professional meetings, seminars and workshops, and through working papers, journal publications and book chapters.