Automated quality assurance processing of administrative record files - ARCHIVED

The Census Bureau makes extensive use of administrative records information in its various economic programs. Although the volume of records processed annually is vast, even larger numbers will be received during the census years. Census Bureau mainframe computers perform quality control (QC) tabulations on the data; however, since such a large number of QC tables are needed and resources for programming are limited and costly, a comprehensive mainframe QC system is difficult to attain. Add to this the sensitive nature of the data and the potentially very negative ramifications from erroneous data, and the need becomes quite apparent for a sophisticated quality assurance system on the microcomputer level. Such a system is being developed by the Economic Surveys Division and will be in place for the 1987 administrative records data files. The automated quality assurance system integrates micro and mainframe computer technology. Administrative records data are received weekly and processed initially through mainframe QC programs. The mainframe output is transferred to a microcomputer and formatted specifically for importation to a spreadsheet program. Systematic quality verification occurs within the spreadsheet structure, as data review, error detection, and report generation are accomplished automatically. As a result of shifting processes from mainframe to microcomputer environments, the system eases the burden on the programming staff, increases the flexibility of the analytical staff, and reduces processing costs on the mainframe and provides the comprehensive quality assurance component for administrative records.