United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao legislative 2010-08-12 U.S. Government Printing Office 2006-09-29 monographic deposited born digital 102 p. GA 1.13:GAO-06-775 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-06-775 P0b002ee18039c7aa 000596421 f:d06775 DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-24 GAOREPORTS-GAO-06-775 machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-GAO-06-775 GAO-06-775 Data collection Illegal aliens Immigration Monitoring Population statistics Statistical data Statistical methods Surveys Testing Other Written Product A61607 As greater numbers of foreign-born persons enter, live, and work in the United States, policymakers need more information--particularly on the undocumented population, its size, characteristics, costs, and contributions. This report reviews the ongoing development of a potential method for obtaining such information: the "grouped answers" approach. In 1998, GAO devised the approach and recommended further study. In response, the Census Bureau tested respondent acceptance and recently reported results. GAO answers four questions. (1) Is the grouped answers approach acceptable for use in a national survey of the foreign-born? (2) What further research may be needed? (3) How large a survey is needed? (4) Are any ongoing surveys appropriate for inserting a grouped answers question series (to avoid the cost of a new survey)? For this study, GAO consulted an independent statistician and other experts, performed test calculations, obtained documents, and interviewed officials and staff at federal agencies. The Census Bureau and DHS agreed with the main findings of this report. DHS agreed that the National Survey of Drug Use and Health is not an appropriate survey for inserting a grouped answers question series. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-06-775/html/GAOREPORTS-GAO-06-775.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-06-775/pdf/GAOREPORTS-GAO-06-775.pdf GAO-06-775 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-06-775 Other Written Product GAO-06-775; Estimating the Undocumented Population: A "Grouped Answers" Approach to Surveying Foreign-Born Respondents; Data collection Illegal aliens Immigration Monitoring Population statistics Statistical data Statistical methods Surveys Testing