Census Bureau’s proposed trimming of survey questions upsets researchers

Science : Since 2005 the US Census Bureau has been conducting an annual 72-question survey to collect housing and demographic information from some 3.5 million people. The survey supplements the decennial census required by the US Constitution. Some members of Congress, however, have objected on the grounds that it poses an unnecessary burden on the public and that the government has no business asking some of the questions. This year the Census Bureau conducted an extensive review of each survey question to determine two criteria: whether a law required the collection of that information and how much time it takes the respondents to answer. As a result, seven questions may get dropped. Social science researchers are unhappy with the proposal to drop question 12, which asks survey takers to identify their college major. The researchers say the information is essential for science and technology policy planning. Next follows a 60-day comment period, during which the statistical community hopes to persuade the Obama administration to reverse the decision.