Evaluation of reverse record check estimates of undercoverage in the Canadian Census of Population

Estimates of undercoverage in the Canadian Census of Population have been produced for each Census since 1961, using a Reverse Record Check method. The reliability of the estimates is important to how they are used to assess the quality of the Census data and to identify significant causes of coverage error. It is also critical to the development of methods and procedures to improve coverage for future Censuses. The purpose of this paper is to identify potential sources of error in the Reverse Record Check, which should be understood and addressed, where possible, in using this method to estimate coverage error.