Census Bureau’s Manufacturing and Construction Division Redesigns Website
The redesigned Census Bureau Manufacturing and Construction Division website provides an interesting model for displaying statistical information. The site is designed to give users the opportunity to review proposed changes to survey forms and submit comments and/or suggestions electronically. An example for the 2012 Economic Census can be found here.
LED Partnership Workshop Materials Available
The 2011 LED Partnership Workshop was held March 9-10, 2011 in Arlington, Virginia. The agenda, workshop presentations, and other resources are now available here.
Census Bureau Report Shows Poverty is Primarily a Temporary Condition
The recently released Census Bureau report Dynamics of Economic Well-Being: Poverty, 2004-2006 finds that poverty is not necessarily a permanent condition. While 29 percent of the nation’s population was in poverty for at least two months between the start of 2004 and the end of 2006, only three percent were poor during the entire period. The data were collected by the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) between February 2004 and May 2007 from a representative sample of U.S. households who were interviewed every four months during the period.
Census Bureau Releases Asian/Pacific American Statistics
In preparation for Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month in May, the Census Bureau recently released a compilation of vital statistics about Asian/Pacific Americans. Access the fact sheet here.
Round Two of “Digging Into Data Challenge” Launches
The Digging Into Data Challenge is an international research grant competition designed to spur cutting edge research in the humanities and social sciences by promoting large-scale, international, and interdisciplinary analysis of large data sets. Projects funded in last year’s first round ranged from a scheme to integrate a vast collection of textual, geographical, and numerical data to create a visual presentation of U.S. railroads and their impact on society over time to another project that analyzes the spread of ideas during the Enlightenment based on a body of 53,000 letters written in the 18th-century. The Challenge is sponsored by the National Science Foundation, the U.K.’s Joint Information Systems Committee, Canada’s Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the U.K.’s Arts & Humanities Research Council and Economic and Social Research Council, the Netherlands’ Organization for Scientific Research, and the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services. Access the press release, Challenge website, and a New York Times article for more information.
Population Reference Bureau Releases New ACS Fact Sheet
PRB recently released the fact sheet American Community Survey: Questions and Answers. The fact sheet’s release coincides with recent DC briefings of congressional staff on the importance of the ACS. The fact sheet provides answers to common questions about the ACS and how the data are used by Congress, federal agencies, businesses, and state and local governments.
Notable Data Publications
Each week, the APDU Data Update identifies recent statistical data releases of interest to APDU members.
National Center for Education Statistics: 2004/2009 Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study Restricted-Use Data File (available through Research Data Centers)
Census Bureau: New Data for 2008 Annual Capital Expenditures Survey (available through Research Data Centers)
Census Bureau: New Data for 2008 Information and Communication Technologies Survey (available through Research Data Centers)
Calls for Comment
APDU maintains a list of open calls for comment on proposed federal data collections (http://www.apdu.org/advocacy.asp). We periodically alert APDU members to newly added calls for comment. Over the last several weeks, calls for comment on the following proposed data collections were published in the Federal Register (with due date):
Census Bureau
Monthly Retail Trade Survey (April 11, 2011)
Monthly Wholesale Trade Survey (April 11, 2011)
2012 Economic Census Covering the Construction Sector (May 16, 2011)
2012 Economic Census Covering the Manufacturing Sector (May 16, 2011)
2012 Economic Census covering the Information; Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services; Management of Companies and Enterprises; Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services; Educational Services; Health Care and Social Assistance; Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation; and Other Services (Except Public Administration) Sectors (May 16, 2011)
Bureau of Labor Statistics
CPS Volunteer Supplement (May 16, 2011)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
State and Local Area Integrated Telephone Survey (SLAITS) (April 14, 2011)
Office of Justice Programs
Summary of Sentenced Population Movement–National Prisoner Statistics (May 16, 2011)
Maritime Administration
U.S. Port and Terminal Inventory Survey (May 13, 2011)
The APDU Data Update is delivered to you as a membership service. Take advantage of your other membership benefits by accessing the APDU member area.
March 17, 2011
Upcoming Events
Data Users Advisory Committee Meeting
March 25, 2011
8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Postal Square Building
2 Massachusettes Ave., NE Washington, DC
More information: Kathy Mele, 202-691-6102
Census Scientific Advisory Committee Meeting
April 7-8, 2011
U.S. Census Bureau Conference Center, 4600 Silver Hill Road Suitland, MD 20746
More information: Jeri Green, Committee Liaison Officer,
(301) 763-6590
The NBER’s Innovation Policy and the Economy Conference
April 12, 2011
The National Bureau of Economic Research’s Innovation Policy and the Economy Conference will be held at the National Press Club, 529 14th Street, NW, Washington, DC.
