Screen Shots

Main Census Bureau Website: Where do Respondents
search for administrative data linkage information?

General Admin Data Linkage Page: Do Respondents
comprehend? Is it missing any information?

Reusing & Linking Data – General Information
About this Section
Are you in a survey?
Data Protection & Privacy
Census Bureau’s Linkage
Infrastructure
Visualizations
Working Papers

About
Where does the data come from that the Census Bureau uses?
The Census Bureau collects data about the economy and the people living in the United States from many different sources. Some data is
collected from respondents directly (including businesses), through the censuses and surveys we conduct. We collect additional data from
other sources, too. Primary sources for additional data are federal, state, and local governments, as well as some commercial entities. We
generally refer to these types of data as “administrative data.”
Why is this additional information called “administrative data?”
This information is called “administrative data” because the data collected and maintained by agencies is used to administer (or run)
programs and provide services to the public.
Why does the Census Bureau link administrative data with my survey and census data?
The Census Bureau is mandated by law to obtain and reuse data that already exists at other agencies to cut the cost of data collection and
research, and also to reduce the burden on people who respond to our census and survey questions. By reusing data that already exists
elsewhere, and linking it to census and survey data, the Census Bureau is able to conduct research that allows us to see the larger picture
about the people and economy of the United States. By combining these data together, researchers can answer questions we couldn’t
answer before. This type of research allows the Census Bureau to help other government agencies better understand how their programs
are working, and where they could be improved. For examples, visit the Census Bureau’s website containing our research papers that use
administrative data.
How does the Census Bureau protect my data?
All of the information we collect through censuses and surveys, as well as the administrative data we obtain, is confidential and protected
by federal law (Title 13, United States Code). Data are only linked to answer questions that are part of a research projects that are
approved by the Census Bureau and support our mission. Also, because these data can only be used to produce statistics, it cannot be
used for enforcement purposes or to decide whether someone is eligible for benefits through a social program.
Research results that are published do not identify any individuals. Rather, summarized data is released that represent groups of people—
generally in tables of numbers. Before releasing any statistics to the public, the Census Bureau review them to make sure none of the
information or characteristics could identify someone (or a business) individually.
For more information about how we protect the data please visit our website on Data Protections and Privacy.

Visit the Census Bureau’s Linkage Infrastructure website for more information about our data linkage and research activities.

Technical Content for Data Linkage Page: Do Respondents
comprehend? Can they find research papers?

Technical Content: Can Respondents find these
research papers?