PREFACE The statistical system of the United States is decentralized, with responsibility and authority for statistical activities divided among many agencies. This diffusion of responsibilities has been coordinated by a central agency for the past four decades. Currently the Office of Federal Statistical Policy and Standards (OFSPS) in the U.S. Department of Commerce performs the coordinating function. Under Section 103 of the Budget and Accounting Procedures Act of 1950, and Executive Order No. 12013 (October 7, 1977), the Office has responsibility and authority for preparation of the consolidated statistical budget, establishment of statistical standards, international liaison on statistical issues, and overall statistical planning and coordination. The Office also has been delegated responsibility for all agency questionnaires and reporting plans which are statistical in character. A logical extension of these basic authorities is the development of A Framework for Planning U.S. Federal Statistics for the 1980's. This document is intended to contribute to the coordinating function by providing a framework for planning the future statistical activities of the various agencies. It is not a budget document or a statement of official agency policies. There are, of course, budgetary implications and policy discussions in the document, but these should not be considered to be decisions already taken, or even decisions to be made within any specific time frame. Rather, the Framework is a coordinated overview of potential directions for the Federal Statistical System to take in the coming decade in order to achieve a more integrated set of basic statistics concerning U.S. economic and social trends and issues. It is expected to serve as a background for decisions concerning individual programs, so that these decisions can take place in the context of the entire statistical effort of the Federal Government. A Framework for planning U.S. Federal Statistics for the 1980's is being prepared with significant inputs from major statistical agencies, major governmental policy groups, and representatives of public and private users as they have been organized through various professional, academic, and business forums. This publication is a companion to several existing publications concerning Federal statistical activities. The other publications in this series include: 1. Revolution in United States Government Statistics, 1926-1976 is in large part, a background document for the Framework. It traces developments in important areas such as sampling applications, national income accounts, use of computers, and coordinating mechanisms. It traces developments during the 50-year period in order to portray the existing situation in which the Framework is developed. This background document is designed to reinforce the Framework. This is made explicit in the final chapter which considers major issues which were unresolved at the end of the 50-year period, leading to the topics which are addressed in the Framework. 2. Statistical Services of the United States Government, 1975 is designed to serve as a basic reference to the existing statistical programs of the Federal Government. It includes a description of the statistical system, the relations of Federal statistical programs to those of other governmental and nongovernmental organizations, the use of advisory groups, the methods of collection and tabulations, and the presentation of data. The document includes brief descriptions of principal economic and social statistical series collected by government agencies and a brief outline of the statistical responsibilities of each agency. Statistical Services also includes a list of the principal statistical publications of the Federal Government. 3. Statistical Policy Handbook is a handbook of basic documents designed to serve as a guide to Federal statistical activities. This new publication, issued in early 1978, contains in one volume the basic directives and guidelines affecting the development of Federal statistics. It is, therefore, intended to be an aid to all users of Federal statistics, both in and outside the Federal Government. 4. Federal Statistical Directory, 1976 lists by organizational units within each agency the names, office addresses, and telephone numbers of key persons engaged in statistical programs and related activities of agencies in the executive branch of the Federal Government. The most recent edition, the 25th, was released in mid1976. The 26th edition will be issued in late 1978. 5. Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas contains the criteria followed by the Office of Federal Statistical Policy and Standards in establishing Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas and Standard Consolidated Statistical Areas, as well as the titles and definitions of these areas. The latest revised edition was issued in late 1975. 6. Statistical Reporter is designed primarily for the interchange of information among Federal employees engaged in statistical activities. Published monthly, it is available by subscription to the public as well as to Federal employees. It includes notes on surveys and programs, major organizational changes in the Federal Statistical System, statistical publications, Federal statistical personnel, and other current developments in Federal statistics. Lead articles describe important statistical issues of general interest. 7. Standard Industrial Classification Manual, 1972 and the Enterprise Standard Industrial Classification Manual, 1974 contain information on the classification by kind of activity of establishments (plants or facilities) and enterprises (business organizations) respectively. These classifications are related in providing means for linking establishment statistics and enterprise statistics. Both classifications promote the comparability of statistics, describing various facets of the Nation's economy. A Supplement for 1977 to the Standard Industrial Classification Manuals was issued in early 1978. 8. Standard Occupational Classification Manual is a new publication which was issued at the end of 1977. It was developed as a mechanism for cross-referencing and aggregating occupation-related data collected for social, economic, and statistical reporting programs. Like the Standard Industrial Classification and the Enterprise Standard Industrial Classification, this classification should promote comparability of statistics and compatibility of data collection efforts. vi In total, these publications serve as a means of orderly dissemination of information about Federal statistical activities. They make a substantial contribution to the mission of the Office of Federal Statistical Policy and Standards for improving and coordinating the development of Federal statistics. Joseph W. Duncan Chief Statistician and Director Office of Federal Statistical Policy and Standards |