Household surveys are an important source of socioeconomic data and often yield important indicators to inform and monitor development policies. In developing countries, they have become an important form of data collection, supplementing or sometimes even replacing other data collection programs. This chapter, in a publication from the United Nations, describes the primary sources of measurement error found in sample surveys and the methods typically used to quantify measurement error.

To monitor and evaluate programs for children receiving Supplemental Security Income, policymakers need reliable information on the children’s health and health care. This study compared the quality of data from the National Survey of SSI Children and Families with data from the National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs, the Survey of Income and Program Participation, and the National Health Interview Survey. Overall, results indicate that the NSCF provides more comprehensive and accurate data for examining policy issues affecting SSI children compared with other available surveys.

Examines a report issued by the Federal Commission on Statistical Methodology, Subcommittee on Measuring and Reporting the Quality of Survey Data, that reviews quality in terms of the measurement and reporting of sampling, nonresponse, coverage, measurement, and processing errors. Discusses the measurement of each source of error, including the measurement techniques and methods used. Also presents practices for reporting information about the error source, as well as recommendations for measuring and reporting survey error.