All estimation and sampling procedures will be prepared using statistically sound procedures designed by qualified professional staff. Samples from administrative files are evaluated to ensure that the samples are representative and subject specialists compare estimates with comparable information from prior years and from other sources to ensure reasonableness and reliability. Computer programs for sampling from administrative files and using data from external data files are reviewed and tested by technical staff. Data files incorporating external data sources are reviewed to ensure that extraction and linkage processes have been implemented correctly.
Data sources, sampling errors, and disclosure limitation methods will be documented in publications, either for the publication as a whole or for individual tables. Documentation in RRB publications contains information on data sources including definitions and specifications of variables. Report documentation also includes, where appropriate, information on sampling errors and a description of rules or techniques for avoiding disclosure of confidential information.