When a response is not obtained for a particular data item,
or an inconsistency in reported items is detected, an "imputed" response is entered in the field. Imputation is performed using
a "hot deck" method, whereby a response from another sample person with similar demographic and economic characteristics is used for
the nonresponse. The imputation procedure is performed one item at a time.
In a typical month, the imputation rate for demographic items is less than
1 percent. The rates for labor force items and school enrollment are slightly
over 1 percent. Over all earnings items, the imputation rate is near 10 percent
with some items having much higher and others much lower nonresponse rates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Author: Greg Weyland-Census/DSD/CPSB
Contact: (ask.census.gov) CPS Help-Census/DSD/CPSB
Last revised: February 11, 2000
URL: http://www.bls.census.gov/cps/bimpute.htm
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