Data collection
improvement
OMB Solicits Public Feedback for Race, Ethnicity Data Collection
The Office of Management and Budget is seeking public feedback for its work on federal statistical data collection standards.
OMB’s Equitable Data Working Group wants to know what individuals are looking for when it comes to collecting data on race and ethnicity. The feedback solicitation is part of the organization’s formal review of its statistical policy directives, which will provide standards to ensure that the federal government can compare race and ethnicity data across agencies.
The agency will hold virtual, bi-monthly sessions to gather feedback. The first session will take place on Sept. 15, Federal News Network reported Tuesday.
U.S. Chief Statistician Karin Orvis said in a blog post that the standard will help agencies understand how well federal programs serve Americans based on demographics. She also said she convened an interagency technical working group comprising federal career staff from over 20 federal agencies.
The working group focuses on recommendations for improving how the federal government collects data, especially in cases where individuals refuse or are unable to self-identify their race or ethnicity. The group is also examining potential changes to minimum reporting categories and if agencies should change the wording or instructions on information solicitation forms.
U.S. Chief Data Scientist Denice Ross said at a Center for Data Innovation event that agencies should also consider pulling disaggregated data from various sources or gathering new data to overcome lapses. According to Ross, federal agencies lack consistent and reliable data on homelessness, health care, criminal justice, the LGBTQ community, public benefits and foster care services.
The Equitable Data Working Group released a report in April that recommended that agencies make disaggregated data the norm for the government’s data infrastructure. The group also recommended that agencies leverage underutilized data and avoid repeatedly asking individuals for the same information.
Category: Federal Civilian
