Journal of Economic and Social Measurement - Volume 19, issue 3

Authors: Belzer, D.B. | Kellogg, M.A. | Roop, J.M.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: With the increased likelihood of budget reductions in defense expenditures, the question of how the United States might respond to a future national emergency is a key concern of many policy planners. As part of the planning process, national emergency …planners require estimates of available productive capacity during emergency conditions to allow development of integrated policies for industrial preparedness. The paper summarizes the concepts, methods, and results of a study of emergency operating capacity (EOC) at the 4-digit standard industrial code (SIC) industry level of aggregation. The data used for empirical estimation are the historical capacity utilization measures collected by the Bureau of Census in the Survey of Plant Capacity (SPC). These utilization measures are used in conjunction with industry output measures to develop estimates of “practical” capacity by 4-digit SIC industry. Data collected in the SPC on weekly plant hours are used to obtain preliminary estimates of the additional “emergency” capacity expected from plant operation of 7 days per week, 24 hours per day. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/JEM-1993-19301

Citation: Journal of Economic and Social Measurement, vol. 19, no. 3, pp. 141-158, 1993

Authors: Cohen, Steven B. | Potter, D.E.B.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The Institutional Population Component (IPC) of the National Medical Expenditure Survey (NMES) was established to provide an assessment of the health care utilization, costs, sources of payment and health insurance coverage of the U.S. institutionalized population residing in nursing and …personal care homes (NH), and in facilities for the mentally retarded (MR). The primary objective of the survey was to estimate the use of and expenses for health care services for all persons residing in institutions at any time during calendar year 1987. To obtain a nationally representative sample of the 1987 institutional user population, the survey included a sample of residents residing in selected facilities as of January 1, 1987, in addition to a representative sample of admissions to the selected facilities over the course of 1987. The union of these samples served to represent the 1987 institutional user population. In this paper, the representation of individuals with multiple probabilities of selection in the IPC sample is examined. In addition, an estimation strategy is developed to correct for the multiple chances of sample selection in the IPC over the course of 1987 and the problems of dual representation in independent sampling frames. The paper also includes a discussion of the effect of this estimation strategy on the precision of sample estimates characterizing the institutional user population. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/JEM-1993-19302

Citation: Journal of Economic and Social Measurement, vol. 19, no. 3, pp. 159-177, 1993

Authors: McGuckin, Robert H.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The principle that the statistical system should provide flexibility – possibilities for generating multiple groupings of data to satisfy multiple objectives – if it is to satisfy users is universally accepted. Yet in practice, this goal has not been achieved. …This paper discusses the feasibility of providing flexibility in the statistical system to accommodate multiple uses of the industrial data now primarily examined within the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system. In one sense, the question of feasibility is almost trivial. With today's computer technology, vast amounts of data can be manipulated and stored at very low cost. Reconfigurations of the basic data are very inexpensive compared to the cost of collecting the data. Flexibility in the statistical system implies more than the technical ability to regroup data. It requires that the basic data are sufficiently detailed to support user needs and are processed and maintained in a fashion that makes the use of a variety of aggregation rules possible. For this to happen, statistical agencies must recognize the need for high quality microdata and build this into their planning processes. Agencies need to view their missions from a multiple use perspective and move away from use of a primary reporting and collection vehicle. Although the categories used to report data must be flexible, practical considerations dictate that data collection proceed within a fixed classification system. It is simply too expensive for both respondents and statistical agencies to process survey responses in the absence of standardized forms, data entry programs, etc. I argue for a complete commodity classification – a list of commodities including materials and other intermediate products, services, raw materials, capital equipment, energy inputs, final products and labor by type – as the focus of data collection. The idea is to make the principle variables of interest – the commodities – the vehicle for the collection and processing of the data. For completeness, the basic classification should include labor usage through some form of occupational classification. In most economic surveys at the Census Bureau, the reporting unit and the classified unit have been the establishment. But there is no need for this to be so. The basic principle to be followed in data collection is that the data should be collected in the most efficient way – efficiency being defined jointly in terms of statistical agency collection costs and respondent burdens. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/JEM-1993-19303

Citation: Journal of Economic and Social Measurement, vol. 19, no. 3, pp. 179-198, 1993

Authors: Johnson, Ayah E. | Sanchez, Maria Elena

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The National Medical Expenditure Survey (NMES) collected data on medical conditions for persons that sought medical care in 1987. Data on medical conditions were obtained from two sources: the household respondent and the medical provider. This paper uses 1987 NMES …data to quantify the level of congruence between household and medical provider reports, and to identify correlates that may explain differences between the two reporting sources. It is important to determine the extent to which household and provider reports on condition data agree and the reasons why disagreements may arise. Moreover, the study uses multivariate techniques to identify correlates that enhance the probability of agreement between household and medical provider reports. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/JEM-1993-19304

Citation: Journal of Economic and Social Measurement, vol. 19, no. 3, pp. 199-223, 1993