NCJ Number
51976
Journal
PUBLIC USE DATA Volume: 6 Issue: 6 Dated: (NOVEMBER 1978) Pages: 17-22
Date Published
1978
Length
6 pages
Annotation
A BUREAU OF THE CENSUS POLICY TO PROTECT THE IDENTITY OF RESPONDENTS HAS DIRECTLY AFFECTED THE UTILITY OF THE NATIONAL CRIME SURVEY (NCS). SPECIFIC INSTANCES ARE CITED, AND A CHANGE IN POLICY IS URGED.
Abstract
THE NCS STATISTICAL PROGRAM IS DESCRIBED. ALTHOUGH THIS COMPREHENSIVE CRIME AND VICTIMIZATION SURVEY WAS DEVELOPED BY LEAA, THE DATA WERE GATHERED BY THE BUREAU OF THE CENSUS. THE ANONYMITY OF THE RESPONDENTS IS PROTECTED, THEREFORE, BY TITLE 13 OF THE UNITED STATES CODE. THE PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY RESEARCHERS WISHING TO USE DATA FROM THE HOUSEHOLD SURVEY ARE DETAILED. THE CENSUS BUREAU WILL NOT RELEASE TAPES FOR ANY AREA WITH A POPULATION LESS THAN 250,000 PERSONS, NOR WILL IT RELEASE STATE, COUNTY, OR SIMILAR SUBNATIONAL GEOGRAPHICAL IDENTIFIERS BECAUSE OF THE DISCLOSURE AVOIDANCE RULES. THE BUREAU WILL DO SPECIAL TABULATIONS, BUT THESE ARE PROHIBITIVELY EXPENSIVE, A GREAT DEAL OF TIME IS REQUIRED TO DO THEM, AND THESE SPECIAL TABULATIONS CANNOT PERMIT EXPLORATORY ANALYSIS OF THE DATA. BECAUSE CRIME CONDITIONS ARE ESSENTIALLY LOCAL, THE NCS LIMITATIONS SEVERELY RESTRICT THE USEFULNESS OF THE DATA. SEVERAL NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES METHODOLOGICAL RECOMMENDATIONS ALSO CANNOT BE TESTED BY LEAA BECAUSE OF CENSUS BUREAU RESTRICTIONS. ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES TO THE PROTECTION OF PRIVACY OF INDIVIDUALS ARE AVAILABLE. REEXAMINATION OF THESE BUREAU OF THE CENSUS RULES IS URGED. NOTES AND REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (GLR)