President George W. Bush nominated Steve H. Murdock for director of the U.S. Census Bureau on June 18, 2007, and the Senate confirmed him unanimously on Dec. 19, 2007. He replaced Louis Kincannon, who retired on Jan. 3, 2008, after nearly six years as director and a combined 29 years at the Census Bureau.

The first official state demographer of Texas, Murdock headed the Texas State Data Center and Texas Population Estimates and Projections Program for more than 25 years taking a leadership role in the State’s activities in the 1980, 1990, and 2000 decennial censuses.

Murdock received his bachelor’s degree from North Dakota State University and his master’s and doctorate from the University of Kentucky. He taught at North Dakota State in his home state before joining the faculty of Texas A&M University in 1977.

He joined the University of Texas at San Antonio in 2004, becoming the Lutcher Brown Distinguished Chair in Demography and Organizational Studies. In 2007, he went to Rice University in Houston as the Allyn and Gladys Cline Chair in sociology specializing in applied demography, migration, rural sociology, and socioeconomic impact assessment.

Murdock is the author of 12 books and more than 150 articles and technical reports. He received a Faculty Distinguished Achievement Award from Texas A&M University, the Excellence in Research Award from the Rural Sociological Society and the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Department of Sociology at the University of Kentucky.

Texas Business named him one of the 50 most influential Texans in 1997, and Texas Monthly named him as one of the 25 most influential persons in the state in 2005. He is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi and Phi Eta Epsilon national honor societies.

Murdock is a member of several professional associations including the Population Association of America, the Rural Sociological Society, the Southern Regional Demographic Association, the Southwestern Sociological Society and the Southern Sociological Society.

He is married to Mary Zey, a professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio, and they have one son and one grandson.

1. Building on the Success of Census 2000 Campaign
   1. Race and Ethnic Advisory Committee Debriefing Report* (Word - 545 KB)
   2. Census 2000 Advisory Committee Debriefing Report* (PDF - 6.49 MB)
   3. Partnership Report 2000, Volume 1 (PDF - 13 KB)
   4. Regional Partnership Report 2000, Volume 2: Portrait of America (PDF - 13 KB)
   5. Focus group (FG) reports with Census 2000 Partners:
      1. Rural FG Report (PDF - 934 KB)
      2. Faith-based FG Report (PDF - 839 KB)
      3. American Indian FG Report (PDF - 855 KB)
      4. Complete Count Committees FG Report (PDF - 1.5 MB)
   6. Census 2000 Topic Report #6: Census 2000 Testing, Experimentation, & Evaluation Program: (PDF - 3.20 MB)
   7. Report of Survey of Partners (PDF - 6.59 KB)
   
   

2. Identifying Effective Messages and Media
   1. Focus group reports (Fall, 2006): 2010 Communications Campaign
      1. Maya Advertising & Communications - Hispanic (PDF - 344 KB)
      2. M. Davis & Company - African-American, Caribbean, and African (PDF - 1 MB)
      3. Image Media Services, Inc. - Asian, Arab, multi-racial, and white (PDF - 1.39 MB)
   2. Industry reports/articles
      Unmassing America: Ethnic Media and the New Advertising MarketPlace: A Report on the Aspen Institute Forum on Diversity and Media (PDF - 297 KB)
   
   

3. Audience Segmentation and Evaluation Research
1. Market Segmentation for the Census 2010 Integrated Communications Program* (Word - 126 KB)

4. Role of Advisory Committees
1. How Can Businesses Support the 2010 Census? (Word - 33 KB)
2. How Can Governmental Organizations Support the 2010 Census? (Word - 204 KB)
3. How Can Non-Governmental Organizations Support the 2010 Census? (PDF - 107.8 KB)
November 30, 2006 (PDF - 12kb)
Joint Meeting of the Census Advisory Committees (REAC, CACPA, and 2010 CAC)

• Questionnaire Effects on Reporting of Race and Hispanic Origin: Results of a Replication of the 1990 Mail Short Form in Census 2000 (PDF - 390kb)
• Results of the 2003 National Census Test of Race and Hispanic Questions (PDF - 273kb)
• 2004 Census Test: Evaluation 9: Effect of New Race and Hispanic Origin Questions (PDF - 312kb)
• 2005 National Census Test: Results for "Space Saving" Format Changes And Reversal of Age and Date of Birth Items (PDF - 166kb)
• 2005 National Census Test: Tenure, Relationship, and Age Report (PDF - 408kb)
• Content Determination for the 2010 Decennial Census Program (PDF - 649kb)
• 2005 National Census Test: Analysis of the Race and Ethnicity Questions (PDF - 232kb)
• APPENDIX A - 2005 National Census Test: Analysis of the Race and Ethnicity Questions (PDF - 468kb)




]]> /cac/www/race_ethnic_advisory_committees/007732.html /cac/www/race_ethnic_advisory_committees/007732.html Wed, 01 Nov 2006 13:37:42 -0500
Agenda
November 9, 2004
Joint Meeting of the
Census Race and Ethnic Advisory Committees, the Decennial Census Advisory Committee,
and the Facilitators of the Census Advisory Committee of Professional Associations
on
Data Privacy, Confidentiality, and Dissemination

U.S. Census Bureau
Francis Amasa Walker Conference Center
4700 Silver Hill Road
Suitland, Maryland


Tuesday, November 9

9:00 - 9:30 a.m.




Opening
Jeri A. Green
Acting Designated Federal Official
– Census Bureau Safety and Emergency Procedures


Conference Center 9:30 - 9:45 a.m.

Welcome and Opening Remarks Charles Louis Kincannon
Director, U.S. Census Bureau
"The Census Bureau's Perspective and Current Outlook" 9:45 - 11:30 a.m.
Q and A Session   11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.











LUNCH (On Your Own)
Committee Concurrent Sessions

– African American Advisory Committee – American Indian and Alaska Native
– Asian Advisory Committee
– Hispanic Advisory Committee

– Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
– Decennial Census Advisory Committee
– Census Advisory Committee of Professional Associations




Advisory Committee Room


Room 1626
G-316
Room 2420
Room 2113
Room 2412
Conference Center
Room 1064 1:45 - 3:45 p.m.
Advisory Committee Open Discussion Conference Center 3:45 - 4:00 p.m.
BREAK   4:00 - 4:30 p.m. Public Comment   4:30 p.m. Adjourn   ]]> /cac/www//007652.html /cac/www//007652.html Thu, 19 Oct 2006 14:53:56 -0500 Census Bureau Guideline: Language Translation of Data Collection Instruments and Supporting Materials

Introduction

The Census Bureau’s Methodology and Standards Council sets statistical standards for the Census Bureau’s surveys and censuses. This responsibility encompasses providing guidelines for the translation of Census Bureau data collection instruments and related materials. This guideline provides direction to program managers to help them and their teams ensure that Census Bureau data collection instruments and related materials that are translated from a source language into a target language are of the highest quality possible, given available resources.

This guideline consists of the main text, which follows, two attachments, and one supporting document. The main body of this document outlines, in broad terms, the recommended process for the translation of surveys. Included in this process are steps that we recommend in order to produce high-quality translated data collection instruments. The process and the steps specified in this guideline are based on a review of the available literature on translation methods, the relatively more limited literature on the translation of surveys, and the useful, but limited, written guidance for the translation of surveys provided by statistical agencies including Statistics Canada and Statistics New Zealand.

The process and steps specified in this guideline rely heavily on discussions which took place at a two-day expert panel meeting initiated, designed, sponsored, and hosted by the Census Bureau in November 2001. The expert panel met for two days at Census Bureau headquarters in Suitland, Maryland. The convening of the expert panel marked the beginning of the Census Bureau's efforts to develop and issue this guideline for language translation of data collection instruments
and supporting materials.

Attachment A, “Achieving the Goals of a Good Translation,” provides a discussion of the goals of a good translation and the questions to consider when conducting a translation, and outlines the steps necessary for achieving a good translation. It provides guidance by citing criteria that should be met to produce data collection instruments that are of high quality. It also lists specific steps to achieve an accurate, fluid, and appropriately translated data collection instrument. The criteria presented in this attachment were distilled from the technical literature on translation and sociolinguistics.

Attachment B, “Translation Validation Form,” poses a list of questions to be addressed in writing by the project manager, the translators, and the reviewers concerning how key issues were handled in the conduct of a specific translation. These questions also serve to document how the translation was conducted, what decisions were made throughout the process, and the reasons behind the decisions.

Both attachments are intended to be used as a tool by in-house or contract translators to ensure that the translated text meets designated criteria consistent with professionally translated material.

The supporting document “The Translation of Surveys: An Overview of Methods and Practices and the Current State of Knowledge,” provides background information for the guideline and a discussion of the methods commonly used by cross-cultural researchers when developing questionnaires in multiple languages. This document is intended to provide an overview of the current state of knowledge in this area and it is not intended to be a comprehensive summary of the field. Rather, the aim of the document is to provide the reader with a basic overview of approaches available to develop questionnaires in multiple languages and to alert the reader to the research literature which is in turn cited in the “Bibliography.” Each approach presented has its merits and drawbacks. Which approach or mix of approaches is used should be driven by the goals of the research and the resources available to the specific project. Nonetheless, research indicates that some approaches, such as back- translation, do not result in the best possible translation. In the main body of this guideline, we provide guidance on which approach is preferred for translating Census Bureau data collection instruments.

The “Bibliography” contains references for citations included in the guideline, attachment and supporting document. It lists books, journal articles, and official documents from statistical agencies throughout the world which were consulted for the development of this guideline. This bibliography should be used as a reference guide for those who wish more information on the criteria presented in the guideline.

By making this guideline available, the Census Bureau aims to improve the quality of translated data collection instruments and supporting materials, as well as to ensure that these documents are of a quality comparable to the quality of their English language counterparts, for which the Census Bureau is known world wide. This guideline will support the Census Bureau’s capabilities in providing high-quality data for its sponsors and data users from respondents with no knowledge or limited knowledge of English.

Scope

This guideline is applicable to translated data collection instruments and related materials developed using paper or automated methods for all surveys and censuses conducted within all program areas of the Census Bureau, including those sponsored by other federal agencies. The guideline applies to pilot tests of new or redesigned forms, methods panels associated with the redesign of a specific survey, and the decennial census testing and evaluation program (site and national tests).

Although Spanish is the predominant non-English language used in Census Bureau questionnaires, this guideline is intended to provide direction for the translation of data collection instruments from English into any non-English language. For example, in Census 2000, the
Census Bureau made available census forms in five languages other than English – Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Tagalog.

Guideline

Census Bureau data collection instruments that are translated from a source language into a target language should be reliable, complete, accurate, and culturally appropriate. When the translated text conveys the intended meaning of the original text, the translation is deemed reliable. Translations that do not add any new information to the translated document and do not omit information provided in the source document are said to be complete. An accurate translation is one that is free of spelling and grammatical errors. Cultural appropriateness is achieved when the message conveyed in the translated text is appropriate for the target population. In addition to meeting the aforementioned criteria, translated Census Bureau data collection instruments and related materials should also have semantic, conceptual, and normative equivalence.

The matter of equivalence and the extent to which there is equivalence (to the source language) in the translated text is central to the quality and appropriateness of a translation. If the translation lacks equivalence, then the intended meaning of the information in the source language text is not appropriately conveyed in the translation. The literature points to several types of equivalence. Semantic equivalence refers to the extent to which the terms and sentence structures that give meaning to the information presented in the source language are maintained in the translated text. Conceptual equivalence concerns the degree to which a given concept is present in both the source and target cultures, regardless of the words used to express the
concept. The third main type of equivalence discussed in the research literature is normative equivalence. This form of equivalence refers to the extent to which the translated text successfully addresses the difficulties created by differences in societal rules between the source and target culture.

There is considerable evidence in the field of survey methodology and cross-cultural research that translated questionnaires which lack these features are not of the highest possible quality and that data obtained from such instruments may not necessarily be comparable to data collected using the source language instrument.

Behling and Law (2000), survey methodologists who specialize in cross-cultural research, state the following regarding the importance of equivalence in translated questionnaires:

"Demonstrating that the translated questionnaire possesses the basic characteristics required of all measurement instruments is not enough. In addition, the researcher must show that it exhibits appropriate levels of semantic and conceptual equivalence relative to the source language measure and that it and the procedures through which it is administered minimize any problems created by lack of normative equivalence." (Page15)

Behling and Law's position is echoed by other experts in the field. Similarly, there is considerable consensus in the cross-cultural survey research literature that simple direct translations do not necessarily produce an appropriately translated questionnaire. A direct translation is one in which a bilingual individual translates the survey instrument from the source
language into the target language. While this technique is practical because it can be quickly and cheaply done, it does not compare well to other approaches on key dimensions of data quality.

The task of translating a data collection instrument from a source language into a target language is not a solo activity or an exercise performed in relative isolation. Rather, it is a process that
entails the participation and cooperation of a number of individuals with complementary skill sets and professional experience. They all make valuable contributions that result in high-quality translated data collection instruments. For this reason, they collectively comprise the translation team.

Translation team members include subject matter specialists and program managers as well as individuals with knowledge of questionnaire design and pretesting. In addition to these individuals, every translation team assigned to produce final versions of Census Bureau translated data collection instruments and supporting materials should involve three different sets of people: translators, translation reviewers, and translation adjudicators. A description of each of these follows.

Translators are individuals who have been formally trained as translators and have training or experience in translating questionnaires, or they are individuals who have not necessarily undergone formal training in translation but who have the necessary skill, knowledge, and professional experience in the conduct of survey translation that is necessary to produce a professionally translated data collection instrument.

Translation reviewers should have similar skill sets and comparable professional experience as translators. They should possess familiarity with questionnaire design principles, knowledge of the design of the specific study, and subject matter expertise.

Translation adjudicators should work cooperatively with other members of the translation team during the adjudication phase to make definitive decisions about the final wording and final content of the translated questionnaire. In addition to being completely fluent in the source language, we recommend that adjudicators be fluent in the target language, since this knowledge is important in making informed decisions regarding final wording used in the translated document.

Adjudicators should also have knowledge of the intent and purpose of the survey undergoing translation, as well as an understanding or appreciation of the principles of questionnaire design and pretesting. Depending on available funding, time, and other resources, the adjudication function can be performed by a single individual, typically the project manager, or by more than one individual.

The number of persons who comprise the translation team is contingent on key factors that are unique and specific to each Census Bureau translation effort. These factors include: the amount of funding specifically allocated to the translation task, the scope of the project, the schedule for the project completion, and the extent to which some or all the recommended steps of the translation are conducted in-house or by individuals working for the Census Bureau under contract. We recommend that, at a minimum, the translation team, in addition to the project manager, consist of the following: at least two translators to perform the actual translation function and review, a subject matter specialist, a person with knowledge of questionnaire design and pretesting, and an adjudicator.

The role of pretesting questionnaires for surveys and censuses and its importance to the Census Bureau, as well as its wide use and acceptance in the field of survey methodology are well established. The Census Bureau Standard Pretesting Questionnaires and Related Materials for
Surveys and Censuses states that the minimum requirement put forth also applies to non-English language census and survey forms. This guideline for translating Census Bureau data collection instruments recommends that the semantic, conceptual, and normative equivalence of translated
materials used for the purpose of collecting data (information) be demonstrated to fulfill the requirement of that standard.

Recommended Steps for Census Bureau Translations. The literature used to develop this guideline was wide and varied. The information came from textbooks on translation techniques; journal articles containing research results and case studies; documents providing direction; and recommendations on the translation of surveys developed by international, national, and state statistical agencies.

The process and steps specified in this guideline also rely heavily on discussions which took place at the previously mentioned expert panel meeting held at the Census Bureau.

From the review of the research literature and from the advice and guidance provided by the expert panel, we have extracted five steps that comprise the translation process that we recommend be followed when conducting Census Bureau translations. These steps are: Prepare, Translate, Pretest, Revise, and Document.

1. Prepare

Good up-front preparation for the conduct of the translation will likely reduce the time and resources that will be required to produce a final and well-translated questionnaire ready for use in data collection. The measures recommended in this section are intended to guide the preparatory work for translations conducted in-house as well as translations conducted under contract.

We recommend that translators be provided with the following documents before beginning work on the translation:

Statement of work: It is important to clarify initially and in writing the scope and purpose of the translation. For example: Is the text to be used to collect data (e.g., questions in a questionnaire) or to convey information to respondents (e.g., instructions on questionnaires, cover letter, reminder letter)? Will instructions for the interviewer be translated? The amount of text to be translated (volume) should also be clearly indicated in terms of words or number of standard pages.

Translators should be informed of the target audience of the translation. If survey questions are to be translated, translators should be informed before they begin work if the questions will be used in a self-administered or interviewer-administered data collection effort. They should know the medium in which the instrument will be administered (e.g., CAPI, CATI, IVR, Internet). Before the work begins, the target language or languages should be specified in terms of dialect and expected level of formality.

The guideline calls for translators to be members of the translation team. Translators will be called upon after pretesting when revision to question wording is discussed, and during adjudication when definitive judgment is made on the final content. Before the work begins, translators should be informed of these steps.

Documentation: In addition to the text designated for translation, translators should be provided with all documentation useful in performing the translation. This documentation includes, for example, the definition of terms or concepts used in the wording of the questions. If CATI or CAPI are used, then translators should be provided with the specifications associated with the programming of the instrument.

Subject-Matter Contact: Translators should have ready access to one or more individuals familiar with the survey who can explain the purpose or intent of the survey questions to be translated. Typically, this contact person should be a member of the translation team who is familiar with the survey.

Questionnaire-Design Contact: Translators should have ready access to individuals who can provide guidance on the design aspects of the questionnaire (if self administered). If the translated instrument is automated (CATI/CAPI/IVR), translators should have access to individuals familiar with the programming specifications of the instrument. For example, during the conduct of the translation, questions may arise regarding how to express respondent instructions in a self-administered form in the best possible manner. Similarly, translators may need assistance with expressing the "fills" that are part of an automated data collection instrument.


2. Translate

After the preparatory work specified in Step 1 is complete, the actual translation of the text can begin. The translation should be executed following the advice provided in this guideline. More specifically, a translation team should be formed as suggested above. Solo or direct translations and the technique of back translation are not recommended because research findings indicate, and the Census Bureau's expert panel notes, that these approaches often do not produce a data collection instrument that is of acceptable quality.

3. Pretest

This guideline advocates the notion that pretesting is an integral and necessary part of the translation process. The guideline recommends that staff with questionnaire pretesting knowledge and experience be part of the translation team. The guideline relies on the Census Bureau Standard: Pretesting Questionnaires and Related Materials for Surveys and Censuses (2003) for direction regarding the pretesting of translated questionnaires and related materials.

Questionnaires that have been translated from a source language to a target language should not be used as data collection instruments if pretesting has not occurred. The utility of translated questionnaires that have not undergone pretesting is limited. It may be necessary to use such documents to conduct outreach or to promote a survey or census, but these documents are not appropriate for data collection.

Pretesting a translated questionnaire helps identify concepts or constructs that are specific to a given language or culture (emic) so that the questionnaire designer, along with translators and
other members of the translation team, can make the appropriate adjustments to survey questions, thus avoiding concept bias and achieving construct equivalence.

The research literature is clear on the importance of pretesting translated questionnaires. The following quote from a prominent researcher considered by many to be an internationally recognized authority on cross-cultural survey research states:


"Translated questionnaires should be tested as thoroughly as questionnaires designed for one context, and most of the techniques used for testing monolingual questionnaires are equally relevant for testing translated questionnaires. Assessment incidently, should include everything translated for a study, including hidden CAPI instructions to interviewers and any support materials, such as show cards, diagrams, etc. Attention should also be paid to any culturally anchored visual components." (Harkness, 2003: 41)

4. Revise

Revision is an integral and necessary activity of the translation process and is ongoing until the translation is finalized. The first juncture for revision may occur after the review of the initial
translated document. The next point for review can happen after results from the pretest become available.

We recommend that translation team members reconvene after results from the pretest are available to discuss revision to both the source language and target language document based on pretest results.

Adjudication is the last step before the translated document is finalized. Final decisions on revisions are typically made during this phase of the translation process.

5. Document

While documentation is the final step in our process, it should occur at every step of the process. Therefore, we recommend that all the steps taken to translate a document be clearly documented. Documentation begins in Step 1 with the written specifications (along with other documents) provided to the translators.

Accurate and complete documentation is a necessary aspect of Step 2, especially when translating complex surveys in which many versions of the survey may be produced during the translation of the document. We recommend developing a numbering system for tracking different versions, and tagging revisions with documentation on why changes were made by the team. This task requires special attention; we recommend that a member of the translation team be assigned this important responsibility.

Documentation is a key part of Step 3 since it is important to demonstrate that the translated questionnaire "works." Documentation of pretesting should not be a concern if standard procedures applied to all Census Bureau pretesting research are followed. That is, research results are clearly documented in a final written report.

Documentation is an important activity in Step 4 of the translation process. As is the case in Step 2, changes to the source and translated texts require special attention to ensure that all revisions are noted and tracked. This is particularly important when pretesting results are considered and during the adjudication phase.

The Contracting of Translations. This guideline is intended to be used by in-house or contract translators as well as project managers to ensure that the translated text meets the designated criteria consistent with professionally translated materials.

Census Bureau needs may require that all or some of the recommended steps in the translation process specified in this guideline be contracted. When this occurs, the guidance provided in this guideline should receive the same attention as guidance provided by established contract management principles.

Specific guidance on how the translation process advocated in this guideline can be incorporated in the monitoring and execution of a contract is not within the aim of this guideline. However, the information presented in this guideline, and more specifically the guiding principles provided in the attachment will greatly facilitate the difficult task of assuring that the work performed by contractors meets the high standards required by the Census Bureau.

For example, the attachment calls for written documentation of how and to what extent the key principles put forth in the guideline were addressed in the conduct of a given translation. We strongly recommend that such reporting requirements be specified in the statement of work (SOW) that is routinely provided to contractors. The SOW should alert the contractor that adherence to this guideline is a contract requirement and that documenting the adherence to such requirements, as specified in the attachment, is a requisite.

Responsibilities

Program areas will be responsible for the following:

∙ the use of guidance on the translation process and procedures in the attachment as appropriate;

∙ the use of the quality criteria in the attachment, as applicable; and

∙ the documentation of the use of the quality criteria in the attachment.

The Methodology and Standards Council will be responsible for the following:

∙ the initiation of periodic evaluations, reviews, and updates to the guidelines, as necessary; and

∙ guidance to program areas in the use or implementation of the guidelines.


 

Inquiries

Inquiries relating to interpretation of this standard should be addressed to the Census Bureau’s Methodology and Standards Council.

Attachments:
A Criteria for Achieving a Good Translation
B Translation Validation Form

Supporting Documents:
The Translation of Surveys: An Overview of Methods and Practices and the Current State of Knowledge
Bibliography (contains references for citations listed in guideline, attachments and supporting document)

__________________

1. In this document, "data collection instruments and related materials" refers to questionnaires as well as documents such as cover letters, flash cards, reminder notices, and any other text presented to respondents. In this document we use "questionnaire" and "data collection instrument" interchangeably. For simplicity, when we use these terms, we are also referring to "related materials" (e.g., reminder notices, flash cards, etc.).

2. Throughout the guideline we refer to the "source language" as the language of the existing data collection instrument. In almost all cases at the Census Bureau the source language is English. We refer to the "target language" as the language of the translated document. In almost all cases at the Census Bureau the target language is a non-English language.

3. The individuals who comprised the expert panel included (in alphabetical order): Herman A. Alvarado, The National Research Council; Scott Brennan, consultant and President of the American Translators Association; Janet A. Harkness, Center for Survey Research and Methodology (ZUMA) in Mannheim, Germany; Patricia Montalvan, Westat; Ivonne Pabon-Marrero, U.S. Census Bureau; Deborah Rose, National Center for Health Statistics; and Alisu Schoua Glusberg, a principal at Research Support Services in Evanston, Illinois, and affiliated with Harvard University. In developing the Census Bureau guideline on language translation of data collection instruments and supporting materials, Census Bureau staff benefitted greatly from the input and guidance provided by these experts.

4. For a discussion of these various forms of equivalence, see O. Behling and K.S. Law (2000).

5. Marin and Marin (1991), Harkness (2003), Harkness, et al. (2003b), McKay et al. (1996).

6. Ibidem.

7. In practice, the translation of surveys employs a combination of techniques with heavy reliance on a preferred method such as direct translation. A recent review of statistically representative surveys in the U.S. showed that most survey translations rely for the most part on the direct translation approach (McNally 2001). This less than ideal situation has not gone unnoticed by leading researchers in cross-cultural survey methods, who call for a more collaborative approach to survey translation and the establishment of translation guidelines (Harkness, 2003).

8. McKay et al. (1996), Behling and Law (2000), and Harkness (2003).

9. Harkness (2003) and Policy Research Methods, Inc. (2001).

10. One indication of the importance placed on the pretesting of survey and census instruments is the recent expansion of a pretesting standard for demographic surveys to include all Census Bureau surveys (U.S. Census Bureau, 2003). Another indication of the important role of pretesting within the Census Bureau is the establishment of the Questionnaire Pretesting and Household Survey Group in the Census Bureau's Statistical Research Division.

11. Sirken et al. (1999); Tanur (1992); and Biemer et al. (1991); Tourangeau et al. (2000).

12. While documentation is the last step in the process, the activity of recording, in detail, the methods used and the decisions made throughout the translation process is paramount. Documentation is an ongoing activity and its placement as the last step in the process should not be interpreted as being absent from the preceding steps.

13. While research is needed on how commonly used and widely accepted pretesting techniques (e.g., cognitive interviews and behavior coding) can be applied to the pretesting of non-English language data collection instruments, the best currently available guidance for pretesting is contained in the Census Bureau Standard for Pretesting Questionnaires and Related Materials for Surveys and Censuses issued in 2003.

14. Concept bias occurs when concepts in survey questions do not systematically represent the same underlying latent concept in two or more languages (see Johnson, 2003).

15. Construct equivalence is achieved when survey questions in two or more languages measure a defined construct. This can be accomplished by using similar or different survey questions (see Johnson, 2003).

_____________________________

Attachment A

Criteria for Achieving a Good Translation

1. Goals of a good translation

The purpose of a translation is to transfer the meaning of a written text in one language into a written text in another language, while preserving the meaning, style, and effect of the source text, and at the same time respecting the sentence syntactic (structure), lexical (vocabulary), and semantic (meaning) values of the target language. A high-quality translation should have three goals: reliability, fluency, and appropriateness. Specific requirements of these three goals are as follows:

Reliability. Reliability means the message in the source text is accurately transferred into the target text. It includes the following three aspects:

Semantic equivalence: Meaning(s) and messages(s) of the source text are accurately conveyed into the target text.

Technical accuracy: The translation has the functional equivalence of the source text.

Textual completeness: The translation is a complete text, not omitting anything important and not adding anything unimportant. It should be free of spelling or grammatical errors.

Fluency. Fluency means that the translation reads well and makes sense in the target language. A translation should:

Be readable, clear, and intelligible in the target language.

Have a natural and easy form of expression in the target language.

Conform to the grammar and discourse conventions in the target language.

Appropriateness. Appropriateness means the style, tone, and function of the source text are appropriately transferred into the target text. A translation should:

Be stylistically appropriate: The style and manner of writing should be similar to that of the source text. The degree of formality should be comparable to that of the source text.

Be culturally acceptable: The translation should convey the source text in culturally appropriate expressions for the target population, even though the form of expression may be different.

Have the same communicative effect: The translation should produce a similar response from the target population as the source text.

1. General questions to consider in the process of translation

In order to achieve the goals of a good translation, translators should have a basic understanding of the purpose and procedure of surveys and select the most appropriate wording and sentence structure to achieve the functional equivalence of a survey question, or to convey the message of survey supporting documents. As language use depends heavily on the context, and there are multiple ways to translate a word, a phrase, or a sentence, translators should be provided with essential background information before they can decide on the appropriate words and sentence structures for a translation. The ultimate criteria for making the decision for word choice or sentence structure should be based on the following guiding principles:

Who? Who is the target population? What are the social attributes (if known) of the target population (e.g., education level, income level)?

What? What is the message contained in the source text?

Why? Why is the document needed? (e.g., Is the text to be used to collect data or to inform respondents?)

When? When is the document going to be used?

Where? At what geographical location and at what social setting is the document going to be used?

How? How is the message going to be delivered? What is the manner of delivery (formal or informal)? What is the mode of data collection?

These six general questions outline the social and contextual factors that influence language use in communication and should serve as the guidance for dealing with linguistic nuances in translation. For example, if the mode of data collection is an oral mode (e.g., face-to-face or telephone), the translator should select words and sentence structures that are commonly used in spoken language instead of written language. If the social setting in which the translated document is going to be used is a formal one, translators should use a more formal style in the translation. Therefore, translators and reviewers should consider these six general questions for guidance in selecting words, sentence structures, and level of formality in the process of translation and review.


1. Steps in achieving the goals of a good translation

In the process of translation, translators should carefully consider linguistic and cultural nuances that may affect the quality of survey translations at each level of the translation: word level, sentence level, and discourse level.

At the word level. Accurate wording can ensure reliability of a translation. At the word level, four issues need special attention: semantic equivalence, connotation and cultural meaning of a term, multiple translations of a term, and culturally specific concepts. Translators should:

∙ Determine the word meaning, message, or concept conveyed in a term in the source text, and at the same time consider cultural meaning(s) of a term in addition to its dictionary meaning;

∙ When there are multiple translations of a term, be aware that synonyms differ slightly in meaning, connotation, and the degree of formality. Therefore, translators should carefully consider the semantic, cultural, and stylistic implications of synonyms and decide on one that is closest to the word used in the source text;

∙ When translating a culturally specific concept into the target language, make sure that the equivalent term connotes the same concept in the target culture. If no equivalent term exists in the target language, use explanations or, if necessary, keep the source term in notes or parentheses. Avoid making up new words or expressions that are foreign to the target population;

∙ Be consistent in word choice for translating the same concepts; and

∙ Be succinct and concise in using the fewest words possible to convey all necessary concepts.

At the sentence level. The goal of fluent reading of a translation can be achieved by following the target language grammar and sentence structures at the sentence level. Translators should:

∙ Use appropriate grammatical or lexical categories to express tense, aspect, case, gender, number, and modality;

∙ Follow the target language syntactic rules. If needed, restructure a sentence to reflect the target language syntax. For example, restructure long sentences or complicated subordinate clauses according to the syntactic rules of the target language;

∙ Follow the target language word order. Re-organize the English word order to reflect the target language word order. For example, if a target language has the word order of VSO (verb-subject-object) or noun-adjective, then re-organize the English word order of SVO (subject-verb-object) or adjective-noun into the target language word order; and

∙ If needed, add or delete words/phrases without distorting the meaning of the source text.

At the discourse level. The goal of appropriateness calls for careful consideration of style and communicative effect at the discourse level. This process includes the use of a simple and clear style of writing that is generally understood by the target population, the degree of formality comparable to the source text, and the use of culturally appropriate expressions. Translators should:

∙ Assess the readability level of the source text and use lexical items and syntactic structures in the target language to convey the comparable readability in the translation;

∙ Use appropriate transitional and discourse connectives to ensure smooth reading of the target text;

∙ Use culturally appropriate expressions. Pay attention to word connotation. Do not use any terms that can be offensive in the target culture;

∙ Use lexical items or syntactic structures to indicate the tone and level of politeness that are appropriate to the target population; and

∙ Ensure that the target text has the same communicative effect. Pay attention to the function of an expression or a sentence in the source text and make sure the target text bears the same function. For example, a request can be phrased in a question or in a statement format. Make sure that the function and not only the form of a request is transferred in the target text.

 

Attachment B


 Translation Validation Form


Project/Survey Name:

Project Manager:

Division: Date: / /


To be completed by the project manager. This part consists of two sections. Each section has a list of questions to be completed by the project manager or the translators and the reviewers.

1. Give a brief description of the nature of source text based on the following questions:

Who? Who is the target population?

What? What is the message contained in the source text?

Why? Why is the document needed?

When? When is the document going to be used?

Where? At what geographical location and at what social setting is the document going to be used?

How? How is the message going to be delivered? What is the mode of data collection?

____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

Of the aforementioned, what kind of background information was provided to the translators?
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

To be completed by the translators and reviewers.

1. Give a brief description of what linguistic and cultural nuances you considered at the word level, and how you addressed these issues.

____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

2. Give a brief description of how you ensured that the translation follows the grammatical rules and syntactic structures of the target language, what issues you considered and what problems remained.
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

3. Give a brief description of how you handled the style and level of formality of the translation at the discourse level, what issues you considered and what problems remained.

____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

]]> /cac/www//007642.html /cac/www//007642.html Wed, 18 Oct 2006 11:04:06 -0500 American Community Survey

Language Program Action Plan

 

Updated 4/16/04

Table of Contents


I. Introduction ....................................................................................................................1

II. Language Research and Development Areas .................................................................. 2

A. Quantitative Quality Assessments ....................................................................... 2
1. Data Quality Assessment of Non-English Speaking Households
(Item Nonresponse) ............................................................................................ 2
2. Language Barrier Cases (Unit Nonresponse) ............................. ........................ 2
3. Staffing Profile ................................................................................................... 3
4. Measurement Error Research ............................................................................. 3

B. Qualitative Quality Assessments ......................................................................... 3
1. Cognitive Testing of Spanish CAPI Instrument ................................................... 3
2. Focus Group Testing with CATI and CAPI Interviewers .................................... 4

C. Instrument Translations and Pretesting ................................................................ 4

D. Improvements to Existing Data Collection Methods ............................................ 4

E. Research and Development of New Data Collection Methods ............................. 5
1. Telephone Response Option .................................................. ............................ 5
2. Mailout Strategies ...............................................................................................6



 

 

 

I. Introduction

This plan outlines the approach proposed to develop a language program for the American Community Survey (ACS). It includes information on current research that is being conducted as part of the language program. While the goal of the decennial census language action plan is to support an accurate and cost-effective census through awareness leading to increased participation, the goal of the ACS language program is more directed to developing methods to ensure the collection of high quality detailed demographic, social, socioeconomic, and housing data.

Many of the key objectives laid out for the decennial census are shared by the ACS and, therefore, many of the activities will be conducted jointly. In addition, there will be unique areas of research and development. The 2010 Census will develop optimal methods to collect basic demographic data or short form information. Outreach and publicity can be key components because data are collected at one point in time for the entire country. The ACS, on the other hand, collects “long form” or sample data on a continuous basis. In full implementation, the ACS will survey about 250,000 addresses every month.

ACS managers have designed this program to first determine how current methods facilitate accurate data collection for people with limited English speaking proficiency. That assessment will direct the next steps to identify areas requiring minor modifications or significant change. Qualitative and quantitative methods will provide this critical information. Existing methods will be examined for improvements and new methods will be researched for their value.


II. Language Research and Development Areas

ACS managers have divided research and development activities into five major areas. A description of the purpose and scope are summarized below. The plan identifies deliverables and milestones dates.

A. Quantitative Quality Assessments

1. Data Quality Assessment of Non-English Speaking Households (Item Nonresponse)

The objective of this research is to assess the quality of data in terms of completeness from households with limited English proficiency. We will conduct this assessment using traditional data quality measures to assess item nonresponse. Our focus will be on non-English speaking households with the lowest levels of English-speaking proficiency because we expect that these households face the greatest challenges in understanding and answering survey questions.

 

Deliverables and Milestones
Produce initial findings on the quality of data collected for non-English speaking households	04/03
Request feedback from advisory committee working groups	05/03
Produce preliminary report on Data Quality Assessment of Non-English Speaking Households	08/03
Produce detailed final report Expected	05/04


2. Language Barrier Cases (Unit Nonresponse)

We will analyze the language barrier cases to gain a better understanding of what types of cases are unable to be interviewed during Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) due to language problems. One major objective will be to determine if the data show a need for CATI language assistance in other non-English languages besides Spanish. Another objective is to ensure that CATI operational procedures, such as call scheduling, staffing, etc, are conducive to collecting high quality data from Spanish-speaking households (and others, depending on whether CATI assistance is expanded to other languages). Our plans include a similar analysis for CAPI (Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing) to determine if current staffing levels are sufficient. Both CATI and CAPI operations are being monitored. Final ACS noninterview rates due to language barriers are now included on the ACS Quality Measures page on the website.


Deliverables and Milestones
Analysis of levels of noninterviews due to language barriers	Ongoing
Final noninterview rates due to language barriers documented	12/03


3. Staffing Profile

ACS interviewing capabilities for CAPI were identified for each of the Census Regional Offices. This information was paired with expected ACS CAPI workloads by language spoken. This type of information will be used by the Regional Office staff to identify specific language needs within each Regional Office. Updates to this profile are planned on an annual basis.

Deliverables and Milestones
Profile drafted for FLD use in staffing and shared with the Census Advisory Committees	9/03
Updated profile created Expected	9/04

4. Measurement Error Research

It is recognized that in addition to nonresponse, error can be introduced into survey estimates by measurement errors, including response error. Reinterview studies are often used as a means to measure response variance and response bias. Alternative approaches have recently been explored, using Latent Class Analysis. These techniques allow for an assessment of measurement error by specific variables of interest. For our research we will look at English proficiency and language spoken.


Deliverables and Milestones
Research in Statistical Research Division	Ongoing



B. Qualitative Quality Assessments

1. Cognitive Testing of Spanish CAPI instrument

The objective of this language research is to understand how Spanish speakers interpret questions, and to determine whether respondents understand questions and key terms as intended. Our goal is to ensure respondents’ interpretation is consistent with the English language questionnaire. Cognitive interviews have been conducted with monolingual Spanish speakers using the Spanish translation of the ACS Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) instrument. In this research we compared the functional equivalence between questions in English and Spanish. Results revealed linguistic, semantic, and cultural issues that affect how respondents interpret and answer questions.


Deliverables and Milestones
Conduct cognitive research	1/02 - 2/02
Preliminary draft report of cognitive testing results	12/02
Final report issued	5/03

2. Focus Group Testing with CATI and CAPI Interviewers

The language research plan also calls for a qualitative quality assessment of data collection from Spanish speakers using the ACS CAPI instrument. Approximately 20 focus groups with field interviewers have been conducted by the Census Bureau in partnership with an independent contractor. This research examined methods used by interviewers to conduct interviews with persons of limited English proficiency. In these focus groups we examined data collection practices to determine if there are inconsistencies in the ways field interviewers handle these types of interviews. For example, under what circumstances field interviewers select an interpreter or access the Spanish language instrument. The results of these focus groups will provide feedback for improving interviewer training as well as recommendations for standardizing the manner in which they handle interviews with respondents who speak little or no English.


Deliverables and Milestones
Conduct focus group research	1/02 - 2/02
Preliminary report of focus group findings	9/03
Final report Expected	5/04


C. Instrument Translations and Pretesting

The Census Bureau is developing guidelines for the conduct and monitoring of the translation of English language data collection instruments and supporting survey materials into selected non-English languages. A panel of experts from government, academia, and the private sector have been convened to address the merits and drawbacks of generally accepted translation methods. The panel discussed its views on the need to routinely pretest translated instruments, a practice which is currently only applied to English language data collection instruments. The Census Bureau proposes to revise the current questionnaire pretesting policy for demographic surveys to ensure that the same rigorous pretesting requirements applied to English language data collection instruments and supporting materials is also applied to their non-English counterparts.

Deliverables and Milestones
Initial draft of guidelines distributed to expert panel members for review	7/03
Feedback from advisory committee working groups on translation guidelines	9/03
Final guidelines	3/04

D. Improvements to Existing Data Collection Methods

We will continue our examination, analysis, and field testing of existing methods to improve data collection in the following areas. Efforts will include both stateside and Puerto Rico.


• mail operations including telephone questionnaire assistance
• Telephone edit follow-up operations
• CATI and CAPI training procedures
• CATI and CAPI translated instruments

Monitoring and improvements to these operations will be an ongoing language research and development activity. We are developing a comprehensive pre-testing plan for all Spanish translated materials in use in the ACS. The plan will include paper and automated instruments as well as brochures, letters, and other materials provided to respondents.

 

Deliverables and Milestones Mail operations including telephone questionnaire assistance
Production of stateside Spanish questionnaire and related materials to support mailout of a Spanish form upon request	Expected 5/04
Capability in place to conduct “reverse CATI” calls in Spanish and in English	Expected 7/04
Monitoring of call volume to two assistance lines	Ongoing
Translated materials for mailout operations in Puerto Rico	Expected 5/04
Develop draft pre-testing plan for Spanish mailout materials	Expected 6/04
Finalize pre-testing plan	Expected 9/04

Telephone follow-up operations Call center capability expanded to assign cases across centers to resolve language barriers
CATI	3/04
Edit Follow-up	Expected 9/04
Monitoring of noninterviews	Ongoing
CATI and CAPI training procedures
Revised procedures and training - language	Expected 7/04
Newsletter distributed to all interviewers - language	Expected 8/04
CATI and CAPI translated instruments Translated interviewer instructions (including help screens) into Spanish for the Spanish stateside and Puerto Rico
CATI/CAPI instruments	3/04
Cognitive testing of Spanish CAPI letter and brochure	Expected 5/04
Develop draft pre-testing plan for instruments	Expected 6/04
Finalize pre-testing plan for instruments	Expected 9/04

E. Research and Development of New Data Collection Methods

1. Telephone Response Option


We will explore the feasibility and logistics of allowing for a telephone response option to the American Community Survey. This would involve providing a phone number for respondents to “phone-in” their responses to the questionnaire. We plan to first identify implementation methods needed in order to collect “phoned-in” interviews using Spanish computer assisted interviewing methods. We plan to develop and test a combination of English/Spanish letters and other materials to explain the purpose of the American Community Survey and to encourage response by telephone. We will design and conduct a field test of a Spanish telephone response option utilizing these materials and also explore potential extensions of this design for other languages.

Deliverables and Milestones
Develop instruments and systems - Spanish/English	3/04
Research option of developing instruments and systems to support additional languages	2005
Implement test encouraging telephone response	2006

2. Mailout Strategies

Our goal is to examine the clustering of non-English speaking households to determine if the Census Bureau could develop strategies to target highly clustered areas and mail questionnaires in the identified targeted language. We plan to evaluate the geographic clustering of non-English speaking households using Census 2000 long form language data. If the results of this assessment show promise, we plan to develop Spanish mailout strategies, and design and conduct a field test of one or more Spanish mailout options. Comparisons with Census 2000 long form data will be made and will allow us to assess the quality of data collected using decennial response options, such as Spanish questionnaires. If this approach is successful, expansion to other languages will be investigated.

Deliverables and Milestones
Produce draft report on tract level and block group clustering of language spoken (feasibility of targeting)	7/04
Request feedback from advisory committee working groups	10/04
Produce final report on clustering	12/04
Produce report on the quality of sample data collected on Census 2000 non-English forms	8/04
Request feedback from advisory committee working groups	10/04
Produce final report on quality of data from non-English forms	12/04
Develop proposals for mailout testing	2005
Implement test of mailout of Spanish forms	2006


]]> /cac/www//007641.html /cac/www//007641.html Wed, 18 Oct 2006 11:02:13 -0500

Agenda for the May 5-7, 2004 Meetings of the
Census Advisory Committee on the African American Population,
the American Indian and Alaska Native Populations, the Asian Population,
the Hispanic Population, and the Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander Populations
Sheraton Crystal City Hotel
1800 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, Virginia 22202
703-486-1111

Wednesday, May 5

12:30 - 12:45 p.m.

Introductory Remarks

Gloria Gutierrez
Designated Federal Officer
Assistant Director for Marketing and Customer Liaison 12:45 - 2:45 p.m. Race and Ethnicity Working Group (All Committees)   2:45 - 3:00 p.m. BREAK   3:00 - 5:00 p.m. Working Group SessionsData Quality Working Group

Small Populations Working Group

Language Working Group


    Crystal Room VI

Crystal Room III

Crystal Room V 5:00 p.m. Adjourn for the Day   5:15 p.m.
REAC Member Reception Atrium Foyer Thursday, May 6

9:00 - 9:15 a.m.

Introductory Remarks and Agenda Review

Gloria Gutierrez
Designated Federal Officer
Assistant Director for Marketing and Customer Liaison 9:15 - 9:35 a.m.
Census Bureau Update Charles Louis Kincannon
Director, U.S. Census Bureau 9:35 - 10:20 a.m.
Reengineered 2010 Decennial Census Preston Jay Waite
Associate Director for Decennial Census 10:20 - 10:30 a.m. BREAK   10:30 - 12:00 p.m. Working Groups Report to Full Committee   12:00 - 1:30 p.m. LUNCH (On Your Own)   1:30 - 5:00 p.m.

Half-Day Concurrent Sessions
(see next page for agenda)
  5:00 p.m. Adjourn  

 

 

COMMITTEE CONCURRENT SESSIONS May 6, 2004
AFRICAN AMERICAN Chair: John Flateau Room: VI	AMERICAN INDIAN and ALASKA NATIVE Chair: Matt Snipp Room: V	ASIAN   Chair: K.V.Rao Room: III	HISPANIC   Chair: Carlos Chardon Room: II	NATIVE HAWAIIAN and OTHER PACIFIC ISLANDER Chair: Faye Untalan Room: IV
1:30 - 1:50 p.m. Introduction of new members 1:50 - 2:10 p.m. Committee Discussion of Responses to Recommendations-May & Oct. Meetings 2:10 - 2:30 p.m. Discussion of Meeting on Minority Hiring & Recruitment - T.Nelson BREAK 2:30 - 2:45 p.m. 2:45 - 3:15 p.m. PUMS Overview - A. Ross (POP) 3:15 - 3:35 p.m. EEO File Overview - M. Weismantle (HHES) 3:35 - 3:55 p.m. Committee Discussion of Working Group Reports 3:55 - 5:00 p.m. Discussion of New Recommendations	1:30 - 1:50 p.m. Introduction of new members 1:50 - 2:10 p.m. AIAN CIC Update - S. Rolark (CLO) 2:10 - 2:45 p.m. AIAN Enumeration - -AIAN Report -- AIAN Enumeration (last done in 1980) - C. Bennett (POP) - E. Gore (DMD) BREAK 2:45 - 2:55 p.m. 2:55 - 3:10 p.m. AIAN Webpage - M. Brady (DADSO) 3:10 - 3:30 p.m. Update on CAO staff - J. Caldwell (CAO) 3:30 - 3:50 p.m. Update from AIAN Planning Group (includes Denver Focus Groups) - E. Gore (DMD) 3:50 - 5:00 p.m. Discussion of New Recommendations	1:30 - 1:50 p.m. Introduction of new members 1:50- 2:10 p.m. Elections 2:10 - 2:40 p.m. MAF/Tiger Enhancements -- State/Local Partnership – BAS Files - B. LaMacchia (GEO) BREAK 2:40 - 2:55 p.m. 2:55- 3:15 p.m. Announcement: National Asian Conference - Committee Discussion 3:15 - 3:35 p.m. ACS Update - D. Hubble (DSSD) - L. McGinn (ACS Staff) 3:35 - 5:00 p.m. Discussion of New Recommendations	1:30 - 1:50 p.m. Introduction of new members 1:50 - 2:45 p.m. Committee Discussion of Working Groups: - Race & Ethnicity WG - Data Quality WG - Language WG - Small Populations WG BREAK 2:45 - 3:00 p.m. 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. Discussion of New Recommendations	1:30 - 2:00 p.m. Introduction of new members 2:00 - 2:20 p.m. Elections 2:20 - 2:40 p.m. Language Reporting in Census Products - D. Hubble (DSSD) BREAK 2:40 - 2:55 p.m. 2:55 - 3:15 p.m. Update on ACS/ACS Detail Reporting of NHOPI - D. Hubble (DSSD) - L. McGinn (ACS Staff) - A. Navarro (DSSD) 3:15 - 5:00 p.m. Discussion of New Recommendation

 

Friday, May 7 8:45 - 9:00 a.m.	Introductory Remarks and Agenda Review	Gloria Gutierrez Designated Federal Officer Assistant Director for Marketing and Customer Liaison
9:00 - 9:45 a.m.	Congressional Updates	Jefferson Taylor Associate Director for Communications Jim Moore Committee on Government Reform Dave McMillen Staff for Ranking Minority Member Committee on Government Reform and Oversight
9:45 - 11:15 a.m.	Concurrent Sessions - Develop Recommendations
11:15 - 11:30 a.m.	Public Comment
11:30 - 12:15 p.m.	Committee Action Items (Report Recommendations to Full REAC)
12:15 p.m.	Adjourn

]]> /cac/www//007640.html /cac/www//007640.html Wed, 18 Oct 2006 10:59:29 -0500
Agenda for the November 8, 2004 Meetings of the
Census Advisory Committee on the African American Population,
the American Indian and Alaska Native Populations, the Asian Population,
the Hispanic Population, and the Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander Populations
U.S. Census Bureau
Francis Amasa Walker Conference Center
4700 Silver Hill Road
Suitland, Maryland
Monday, November 8

1:00 - 1:10 p.m.


 






Introductory Remarks/Agenda Review
Jeri A. Green
Acting Designated Federal Official


Census Bureau Safety and Emergency Procedures

Sonny Flores, DCAC Representative



Conference Center 1:10 - 1:25 p.m.
Welcoming Remarks
Charles Louis Kincannon
Director, U.S. Census Bureau
  1:25 - 1:45 p.m.
Proposed 2005 ACS Implementation

Preston Jay Waite
Associate Director for Decennial Census   1:45 - 2:15 p.m.

Congressional Updates

Jefferson Taylor
Associate Director for Communications

House Committee on Government Reform

 

2:15 - 2:30 p.m.
BREAK   2:30 - 2:45 p.m.
Update on Plans for 2005 Test

Edison Gore,
Assistant Division Chief,
Decennial Management Division   2:45 - 3:10 p.m.

Cognitive Test Results for Race and Ethnicity

Eleanor Gerber,
Social Science Analyst,
Statistical Research Division   3:30 - 5:15 p.m.
Committee Concurrent Sessions
(see next page for agenda and room numbers)   5:15 p.m. Adjourn  

 

 

COMMITTEE CONCURRENT SESSIONS November 8, 2004
AFRICAN AMERICAN Chair: John Flateau Room: 1626	AMERICAN INDIAN and ALASKA NATIVE Chair: Matt Snipp Room: G316	ASIAN Chair: K.V.Rao Room: 2420	HISPANIC Chair: Carlos Chardon Room: 2113	NATIVE HAWAIIAN and OTHER PACIFIC ISLANDER Chair: Faye Untalan Room: 2412
3:30 - 3:55 p.m. Privacy / Confidentiality - Committee Discussion 3:55 - 4:15 p.m. Business Opportunities - M. Palensky (ACQ) 4:15 - 4:30 p.m. Employment/Hiring - R. Castro (EEO) - T. Smith (HRD) 4:30 - 4:55 p.m. Counting Prisoners/ Inmates - Committee Discussion 4:55 - 5:10 p.m. - Committee Discussion 5:10 - 5:15 p.m. - Elections	3:30 - 3:55 p.m. Employment/Hiring - R. Castro (EEO) - T. Smith (HRD) 3:55 - 4:15 p.m. Mapping of Tribal Boundaries -J. Jacobs (GEO) 4:15 - 4:35 p.m. Inclusion of Latin American Indian Data in Census Data Products - C. Bennett (POP) - E. Gore (DMD) 4:35 - 4:55 p.m. AIAN Working Group - E. Gore (DMD) 4:55 - 5:10 p.m. AIAN Congressional Staff - M. Candelaria (CAO) 5:10 - 5:15 p.m. - Elections	3:30 - 3:45 p.m. Privacy / Confidentiality - Committee Discussion 3:45 - 4:05 p.m. Update on Immigration Research - B. Guzman (POP) 4:05 - 4:25 p.m. Health Data on Asian Americans - D. Weinberg (HHES) 4:25 - 4:40 p.m. Asian Conference - Committee Discussion 4:40 - 4:55 p.m. Update on ACS (ASIAN Conference) - R. Singh (DSSD) 4:55 - 5:10 p.m. Update on Ad Hoc Meeting on Race and Ethnicity - C. Bennett (POP) - K. Styles (DMD) 5:10 - 5:15 p.m. - Elections	3:30 - 4:00 p.m. Discussion of Collecting Data on Race and Ethnicity - N. Gordon (DIR) - B. Martin (DIR) - K. Styles (DMD) 4:00 - 4:20 p.m. Privacy/Confidentiality - Committee Discussion 4:20 - 4:40 p.m. ACS Data Products - L. McGinn (ACS Staff) - J. del Pinal (POP) 4:40 - 4:55 p.m. Employment./Hiring - F. Knickerbocker (DIR) - R. Castro (EEO) - T. Smith (HRD) 4:55 - 5:10 p.m. - Committee Discussion 5:10 - 5:15 p.m. - Elections	3:30 - 3:55 p.m. Policy on NHOPI Data - J. del Pinal (POP) 3:55 - 4:15 p.m. Update on Federal Register Notice for ACS - K. Bryson (ACS Staff) 4:15 - 4:35 p.m. Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Language Counts - D. Hubble (DSSD) - R. Kominski (POP) 4:35 - 5:10 p.m. - Committee Discussion 5:10 - 5:15 p.m. - Elections

 

 

Agenda November 9, 2004 Joint Meeting of the Census Race and Ethnic Advisory Committees, the Decennial Census Advisory Committee, and the Facilitators of the Census Advisory Committee of Professional Associations on Data Privacy, Confidentiality, and Dissemination U.S. Census Bureau Francis Amasa Walker Conference Center 4700 Silver Hill Road Suitland, Maryland
Tuesday, November 9 9:00 - 9:30 a.m.	Opening Jeri A. Green Acting Designated Federal Official – Census Bureau Safety and Emergency Procedures	Conference Center
9:30 - 9:45 a.m.	Welcome and Opening Remarks	Charles Louis Kincannon Director, U.S. Census Bureau "The Census Bureau's Perspective and Current Outlook"
9:45 - 11:30 a.m.	Q and A Session
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.	LUNCH (On Your Own) Committee Concurrent Sessions – African American Advisory Committee – American Indian and Alaska Native – Asian Advisory Committee – Hispanic Advisory Committee – Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander – Decennial Census Advisory Committee – Census Advisory Committee of Professional Associations	Advisory Committee Room Room 1626 G-316 Room 2420 Room 2113 Room 2412 Conference Center Room 1064
1:45 - 3:45 p.m.	Advisory Committee Open Discussion	Conference Center
3:45 - 4:00 p.m.	BREAK
4:00 - 4:30 p.m.	Public Comment
4:30 p.m.	Adjourn

]]> /cac/www//007639.html /cac/www//007639.html Wed, 18 Oct 2006 10:56:53 -0500

Agenda for the April 25-27, 2005 Meetings of the
Census Advisory Committee on the African American Population,
the American Indian and Alaska Native Populations, the Asian Population,
the Hispanic Population, and the Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander Populations
Sheraton Crystal City Hotel
1800 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, Virginia 22202
703-486-1111

Monday, April 25			Grand Ballroom
9:00 - 9:15 a.m.	Introductory Remarks and Agenda Review	Teresa Angueira Designated Federal Official
9:15 - 9:35 a.m.	Census Bureau Update	Charles Louis Kincannon Director, U.S. Census Bureau
9:35 -10:20 a.m.	2010 Decennial Census Program Update	Preston Jay Waite Associate Director for Decennial Census Programs
10:20 - 11:05 a.m.	Congressional Updates	Jefferson Taylor Associate Director for Communications
		John Cuaderes Staff Director, Subcommittee on Federalism and the Census Committee on Government Reform David McMillen, Professional Staff Committee on Government Reform
11:05 - 11:20 a.m.	BREAK
11:20 - 11:50 a.m.	Employment Update	Tyra Dent Smith Human Resources Division
11:50 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.	LUNCH (on your own)
1:15 - 4:15 p.m. 1:15 - 3:15 p.m. 1:15 - 3:15 p.m.	Working Groups: Data Quality Small Populations Language		Rooms: Crystal Room III Crystal Room V Crystal Room VI
4:15 - 5:15 p.m.	Working Groups Report to Full REAC: Dr. K.V. Rao Dr. Wei Li Dr. Matt Snipp	Data Quality Language Small Populations	Grand Ballroom
5:15 p.m.	Adjourn

 

---

 

Agenda for the April 25-27, 2005 Meetings of the
Census Advisory Committee on the African American Population,
the American Indian and Alaska Native Populations, the Asian Population,
the Hispanic Population, and the Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander Populations
Sheraton Crystal City Hotel
1800 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, Virginia 22202
703-486-1111

Tuesday, April 26, 2005			Grand Ballroom
8:30 - 9:30 a.m.	(Members Only Workshop) Accessing ACS Data from American Factfinder	Tim Jones ACS Staff
9:45 - 10:00 a.m.	Introductory Remarks and Agenda Review	Teresa Angueira Designated Federal Official
10:00 - 10:15 a.m.	2010 Census Advisory Committee Representative Update	Sonny Flores Acting Chair, 2010 Census Advisory Committee
10:15 - 11:45 a.m.	Race and Ethnicity Working Group	Nancy Gordon Associate Director for Demographic Programs
11:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.	LUNCH (on your own)
1:15- 4:45 p.m.	Half-Day Concurrent Sessions (see next page)
4:45 p.m.	Adjourn

 

---


Concurrent Sessions
April 26, 2005

AFRICAN AMERICAN Chair: John Flateau Room: Crystal Room III	AMERICAN INDIAN and ALASKA NATIVE Chair: Matt Snipp Room: Crystal Room V	ASIAN Chair: K.V.Rao Room: Crystal Room VI	HISPANIC   Chair: Carlos Chardon Room: Crystal Room II	NATIVE HAWAIIAN and OTHER PACIFIC ISLANDER Chair: Faye Untalan Room: Crystal IV
1:15 - 1:30 p.m. Elections: Chair/Vice-Chair 1:30 - 1:50 p.m. Some Other Race - Committee Discussion 1:50 - 2:10 p.m. Counting Prisoners - Committee Discussion 2:10 - 2:30 p.m. Business Opportunities for African Americans - Committee Discussion 2:30 - 2:50 p.m. “Black Brooklyn: Census Demographics of Ethnicity, Class, & Gender” - J. Flateau - Committee Discussion BREAK 2:50 - 3:10 p.m. 3:10 - 3:30 p.m. Employment, Hiring & Recruiting -Committee Discussion 3:30 - 4:45 p.m. Committee Discussion/Develop Recommendations	1:15 - 1:30 p.m. Elections: Chair/Vice-Chair 1:30 - 1:50 p.m. Employment, Hiring & Recruiting - Committee Discussion 1:50 - 2:10 p.m. ACS Data Collection - G. Leithauser (FLD) 2:10 - 2:30 p.m. “Impact of 2000 Census in Alaska; ANVSA, TDSA, Federal Funding, Service to Tribal Members” - G. O’Neil - C. Gore (Cook Inlet Housing Authority CEO) - Committee Discussion 2:30 - 2:50 p.m. AIAN Congressional Liaison Update - J. Caldwell (CAO) BREAK 2:50 - 3:10 p.m. 3:10 - 3:30 p.m. Partnership Activities: 2006 Test - B. Moohn (FLD) 3:30 - 4:00 p.m. Training on Census Data - S. Rolark (CLO) - B. August (FLD) - J. Kavaliunas (MSO) 4:00 - 4:45 p.m. Committee Discussion/Develop Recommendations	1:15 - 1:30 p.m. Elections: Chair/Vice-Chair 1:30 - 1:50 p.m. Partnership Activities: 2004 & 2006 Census Tests - B. Moohn (FLD) 1:50 - 2:10 p.m. Update on Planned Asian Data Products - C. Bennett (POP) 2:10 - 2:30 p.m. Privacy Update - G. Gates (Privacy Officer) 2:30 - 2:50 p.m. Employment, Hiring & Recruiting -Committee Discussion BREAK 2:50 - 3:10 p.m. 3:10 - 3:30 p.m. ACS Data Collection - G. Leithauser (FLD) 3:30 - 3:50 p.m. Immigration Research Program - B. Guzman (POP) 3:50 - 4:45 p.m. Committee Discussion/Develop Recommendations	1:15 - 1:30 p.m. Elections: Chair/Vice-Chair 1:30 - 1:50 p.m. Cognitive Testing (Race & Ethnicity) - Committee Discussion 1:50 - 2:10 p.m. Some Other Race - Committee Discussion 2:10 - 2:30 p.m. Partnership Activities: 2004 & 2006 Census Tests - B. Moohn (FLD) 2:30 - 2:50 p.m. Employment, Hiring & Recruiting - Committee Discussion BREAK 2:50 - 3:10 p.m. 3:10 - 3:30 p.m. Privacy Discussion - G. Gates (Privacy Officer) 3:30 - 3:50 p.m. ACS Data Collection - G. Leithauser (FLD) 3:50- 4:10 p.m. Role of REAC Committees - Committee Discussion 4:10 - 4:45 p.m. Committee Discussion/ Develop Recommendations	1:15 - 1:30 p.m. Elections: Chair/Vice-Chair 1:30 - 1:50 p.m. Research of Race & Ethnicity Action Plans - Committee Discussion 1:50 - 2:10 p.m. NHOPI Special Census - Committee Discussion 2:10 - 2:30 p.m. Employment, Hiring & Recruiting - Committee Discussion 2:30 - 3:00 p.m. Training on Census Data - S. Rolark (CLO) - B. August (FLD) - J. Kavaliunas (MSO) BREAK 3:00 - 3:20 p.m. 3:20 - 3:40 p.m. Response to ACS FRN - K. Bryson (ACS Staff) 3:40 - 4:10 p.m. Partnership Activities: 2004 & 2006 Census Tests - B. Moohn (FLD) 4:10- 4:30 p.m. ACS Data Collection - G. Leithauser (FLD) 4:30 - 4:45 p.m. Committee Discussion/Develop Recommendations

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Agenda for the April 25-27, 2005 Meetings of the
Census Advisory Committee on the African American Population,
the American Indian and Alaska Native Populations, the Asian Population,
the Hispanic Population, and the Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander Populations
Sheraton Crystal City Hotel
1800 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, Virginia 22202
703-486-1111

Wednesday, April 27, 2005			Grand Ballroom
9:00 - 9:15 a.m.	Introductory Remarks and Agenda Review	Teresa Angueira Designated Federal Official
9:15 - 11:15 a.m.	Concurrent Sessions - Develop Recommendations		Crystal Rooms II, III, IV, V, and VI
11:30 - 11:40 a.m.	Public Comment		Grand Ballroom
11:40 a.m.- 12:15 p.m.	Committee Action Items (Report Recommendations to Full REAC)
12:15 p.m.	Adjourn

]]> /cac/www//007638.html /cac/www//007638.html Wed, 18 Oct 2006 10:52:22 -0500
Agenda for the November 8, 2004 Meetings of the
Census Advisory Committee on the African American Population,
the American Indian and Alaska Native Populations, the Asian Population,
the Hispanic Population, and the Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander Populations
U.S. Census Bureau
Francis Amasa Walker Conference Center
4700 Silver Hill Road
Suitland, Maryland
Monday, November 8

1:00 - 1:10 p.m.


 






Introductory Remarks/Agenda Review
Jeri A. Green
Acting Designated Federal Official


Census Bureau Safety and Emergency Procedures

Sonny Flores, DCAC Representative



Conference Center 1:10 - 1:25 p.m.
Welcoming Remarks
Charles Louis Kincannon
Director, U.S. Census Bureau
  1:25 - 1:45 p.m.
Proposed 2005 ACS Implementation

Preston Jay Waite
Associate Director for Decennial Census   1:45 - 2:15 p.m.

Congressional Updates

Jefferson Taylor
Associate Director for Communications

House Committee on Government Reform

 

2:15 - 2:30 p.m.
BREAK   2:30 - 2:45 p.m.
Update on Plans for 2005 Test

Edison Gore,
Assistant Division Chief,
Decennial Management Division   2:45 - 3:10 p.m.

Cognitive Test Results for Race and Ethnicity

Eleanor Gerber,
Social Science Analyst,
Statistical Research Division   3:30 - 5:15 p.m.
Committee Concurrent Sessions
(see next page for agenda and room numbers)   5:15 p.m. Adjourn  

 

 

COMMITTEE CONCURRENT SESSIONS November 8, 2004
AFRICAN AMERICAN Chair: John Flateau Room: 1626	AMERICAN INDIAN and ALASKA NATIVE Chair: Matt Snipp Room: G316	ASIAN Chair: K.V.Rao Room: 2420	HISPANIC Chair: Carlos Chardon Room: 2113	NATIVE HAWAIIAN and OTHER PACIFIC ISLANDER Chair: Faye Untalan Room: 2412
3:30 - 3:55 p.m. Privacy / Confidentiality - Committee Discussion 3:55 - 4:15 p.m. Business Opportunities - M. Palensky (ACQ) 4:15 - 4:30 p.m. Employment/Hiring - R. Castro (EEO) - T. Smith (HRD) 4:30 - 4:55 p.m. Counting Prisoners/ Inmates - Committee Discussion 4:55 - 5:10 p.m. - Committee Discussion 5:10 - 5:15 p.m. - Elections	3:30 - 3:55 p.m. Employment/Hiring - R. Castro (EEO) - T. Smith (HRD) 3:55 - 4:15 p.m. Mapping of Tribal Boundaries -J. Jacobs (GEO) 4:15 - 4:35 p.m. Inclusion of Latin American Indian Data in Census Data Products - C. Bennett (POP) - E. Gore (DMD) 4:35 - 4:55 p.m. AIAN Working Group - E. Gore (DMD) 4:55 - 5:10 p.m. AIAN Congressional Staff - M. Candelaria (CAO) 5:10 - 5:15 p.m. - Elections	3:30 - 3:45 p.m. Privacy / Confidentiality - Committee Discussion 3:45 - 4:05 p.m. Update on Immigration Research - B. Guzman (POP) 4:05 - 4:25 p.m. Health Data on Asian Americans - D. Weinberg (HHES) 4:25 - 4:40 p.m. Asian Conference - Committee Discussion 4:40 - 4:55 p.m. Update on ACS (ASIAN Conference) - R. Singh (DSSD) 4:55 - 5:10 p.m. Update on Ad Hoc Meeting on Race and Ethnicity - C. Bennett (POP) - K. Styles (DMD) 5:10 - 5:15 p.m. - Elections	3:30 - 4:00 p.m. Discussion of Collecting Data on Race and Ethnicity - N. Gordon (DIR) - B. Martin (DIR) - K. Styles (DMD) 4:00 - 4:20 p.m. Privacy/Confidentiality - Committee Discussion 4:20 - 4:40 p.m. ACS Data Products - L. McGinn (ACS Staff) - J. del Pinal (POP) 4:40 - 4:55 p.m. Employment./Hiring - F. Knickerbocker (DIR) - R. Castro (EEO) - T. Smith (HRD) 4:55 - 5:10 p.m. - Committee Discussion 5:10 - 5:15 p.m. - Elections	3:30 - 3:55 p.m. Policy on NHOPI Data - J. del Pinal (POP) 3:55 - 4:15 p.m. Update on Federal Register Notice for ACS - K. Bryson (ACS Staff) 4:15 - 4:35 p.m. Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Language Counts - D. Hubble (DSSD) - R. Kominski (POP) 4:35 - 5:10 p.m. - Committee Discussion 5:10 - 5:15 p.m. - Elections

 

 

Agenda November 9, 2004 Joint Meeting of the Census Race and Ethnic Advisory Committees, the Decennial Census Advisory Committee, and the Facilitators of the Census Advisory Committee of Professional Associations on Data Privacy, Confidentiality, and Dissemination U.S. Census Bureau Francis Amasa Walker Conference Center 4700 Silver Hill Road Suitland, Maryland
Tuesday, November 9 9:00 - 9:30 a.m.	Opening Jeri A. Green Acting Designated Federal Official – Census Bureau Safety and Emergency Procedures	Conference Center
9:30 - 9:45 a.m.	Welcome and Opening Remarks	Charles Louis Kincannon Director, U.S. Census Bureau "The Census Bureau's Perspective and Current Outlook"
9:45 - 11:30 a.m.	Q and A Session
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.	LUNCH (On Your Own) Committee Concurrent Sessions –