1. Gemini Project Overview Adam Safir Division of Consumer Expenditure Surveys December 2010

2. Presentation Overview 1. Project overview 2. Motivation for redesign 3. Project tasks 4. Activities to date 5. Upcoming activities 6. Ongoing research 2

3. Gemini Project Overview Mission  Improve data quality through a verifiable reduction in measurement error, with a particular focus on under-reporting. Objective  Develop a detailed research plan for implementing a redesign of the CE surveys, including piloting, evaluation, and transition. 3

4. Motivation for Redesign Same basic design for past 30 years Evidence of measurement error Technological advances Need for more flexibility 4

5. Overview of Project Tasks 1. Produce database of CE research 2. Refine data requirements and priorities 3. Define data quality for CE 4. Sponsor internal and external events for information gathering and expert review 5

6. Overview of Project Tasks 5. Conduct research 6. Assess user impact of design alternatives 7. Recommend a survey redesign 8. Propose a transition roadmap 6

7. Project Tasks by Year YearTasks 2009-10(1) Research database (2) Data requirements and priorities (3) Data quality definition 2010-11 (4) Hold research events, produce reports 2010-13(5) Conduct ongoing supporting research 2012(6) Assess user impact of design alternatives (7) Recommend survey redesign (8) Propose transition roadmap 2013+Piloting Evaluation Transition 7

8. Activities To Date: Reports DateReport Oct 2009Data Quality Definition Report Mar 2010Research Project Tracking System Report Jun 2010CPI Requirements Paper Aug 2010Conference Team Report Aug 2010Data User Needs Report 8

9. Activities To Date: Events DateEvent Jan 2010Survey Redesign Panel Mar 2010Data Capture Technology Forum May 2010Panel on Respondent Record Use Jun 2010Data User Needs Forum Dec 2010Methods Workshop 9

10. Upcoming Activities DateEvent Feb 2011 CNSTAT Consensus Expert Panel 1 st Meeting Mar 2011 CE Data Priorities Document May 2011 Household Survey Data Producers Workshop Sep 2011 CE Redesign Options Workshop Mar 2012 CNSTAT Panel Recommendations (pre-pub rpt) 10

11. Ongoing Research Alternative designs Technology Data capture and financial software Cost Reporting quality Diary double placement Recall period, interview frequency Split questionnaire Measurement issues study Alternative designs Technology Online diary prototype Interview length Reporting quality Order effects test 11

12. Ongoing Research Interview length Statistical issues Split questionnaire Availability Utility Records study Feasibility Effectiveness Balancing edit (proposed) Cost Reporting quality Bounding (proposed) Proxy reporting Response rates Individual diaries (proposed) 12

13. Project Website http://www.bls.gov/cex/geminimaterials.htm Information available on:  Gemini overview  Gemini events  Gemini presentations  CE survey methods research  CE methods and survey forms  Other redesign related events and studies 13

14. Contact Information Adam Safir safir.adam@bls.gov 14