MEMORANDUM FOR
Distribution
From:
Cynthia Clark
Associate Director for Methodology and Standards
Subject:
An Evaluation of the Master Address File
Building Process
I am pleased to present the executive summary of one of the evaluation studies for the Census
2000 Dress Rehearsal. The dress rehearsal was conducted in three sites — Columbia, South
Carolina; Menominee County, Wisconsin; and Sacramento, California. The evaluation studies
cover detailed aspects of eight broad areas related to the census dress rehearsal — census
questionnaire, address list, coverage measurement, coverage improvement, promotion activities,
procedures addressing multiple options for census reporting, field operations, and technology.
The executive summary for each evaluation study is also available on the Census Bureau Internet
site (http://www.census.gov/census2000 and click on the link to “Evaluation”). Copies of the
complete report may be obtained by contacting Carnelle Sligh at (301) 457-3525 or by e-mail at
carnelle.e.sligh@ccmail.census.gov. Please note that the complete copy of the following reports
will not be publically released: reports regarding procedures addressing multiple options for
census reporting and the Evaluation of Housing Unit Coverage on the Master Address File.
The evaluations are distributed broadly to promote the open and thorough review of census
processes and procedures. The primary purpose of the dress rehearsal is to simulate portions of
the environment we anticipate for Census 2000, so we can identify and correct potential problems
in the processes. Thus, the purpose of the evaluation studies is to provide analysis to support time
critical review and possible refinements of Census 2000 operations and procedures.
The analysis and recommendations in the evaluation study reports are those of staff working on
specific evaluations and, thus, do not represent the official position of the Census Bureau. They
represent the results of an evaluation of a component of the census plan. They will be used to
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