Sent on behalf of Pamela Smock at University of Michigan.

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Please distribute to those who may be interested. Thank you.
- Pam

Workshop on the Benefits and Challenges of the American Community Survey
Wednesday, April 30, 2014, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. 
 
Overall Objectives
1. Provide an understanding of the content available in the ACS and how it compares to what was available previously with the census long form;
2. Provide an understanding of the different types of estimates that the ACS program produces, and the relative advantages and disadvantages of these estimates;
3. Make participants aware of those key factors to consider when making comparisons using the ACS;
4. Provide information on the reliability limitations associated with ACS estimates and some options that are available to address concerns about statistical precision;
5. Provide concrete examples illustrating some of the trade-offs that data users need to consider when employing ACS estimates.
 
Workshop Structure
   I.  Overview of the ACS
        A description of the ACS program, including some information on its history and evolution; its operation and content; the types of estimates and products it provides; and the benefits of ACS data.  Comparisons with the decennial census long form will provide a backdrop.
   II. Challenges of ACS Data
        A discussion of the key issues that arise when using the ACS.  This includes changes in methods (e.g. reference periods); shifts in concepts (e.g. measurement of migration); the use of estimates for multi-year periods; understanding and using margins of error; and making comparisons using ACS estimates.
   III. Using ACS Data: Dealing with the Challenges and Trade-offs
         Presentation of potential solutions to the issues identified in Section II.  The emphasis will be placed on identifying strategies that optimize the mix between table detail, the time period of an estimate, the reliability/precision of an estimate, and geographic specificity.  This section will feature concrete applications that illustrate how some data users have approached sample size and reliability issues, the analysis of trends over time, comparisons with decennial census data, and the geographic limits of the data.  This discussion will also feature information on how best to access the ACS and key resources to help ACS data users such as the new ACS Data Users Group and Online Community.
______________________________________________
PAMELA J. SMOCK
PROFESSOR  |  DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY
RESEARCH PROFESSOR  |  POPULATION STUDIES CENTER
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN-ANN ARBOR 
426 THOMPSON STREET
ANN ARBOR, MI 48106-1248 
PHONE: 734-763-1414  | FAX: (734)763-1428 | EMAIL: [log in to unmask]

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