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| | '''Robert M. Groves''' is Research Professor at the University of Michigan and a survey expert who has authored many technical articles and books on the topic. President Obama has nominated him to head the U.S. Census Bureau, with responsibility for [[Census 2010]]. | | '''Robert M. Groves''' is Research Professor at the University of Michigan and a survey expert who has authored many technical articles and books on the topic. President Obama has nominated him to head the U.S. Census Bureau, with responsibility for [[Census 2010]]. |
| | + | ==The 2010 Census== |
| | + | Groves will be in charge of 12,000 permanent employees and 1.4 million temporary workers joining the Census Bureau’s team for the 2010 count that will take place in spring 2010. The final cost is estimated to be $15 billion, the most expensive ever, and experts have long said the Census Bureau must do more to reduce a persistent undercount among minorities, as well as to modernize what is basically a paper mailing operation that has been in place for decades. Critics complain the Bureau has a bad reputation in terms of antiquated procedures, failing technology and incompetent bureaucrats. Groves says the the Bureau is woefully outdated, saying it lacks scientific talent due to a recent and upcoming wave of retirements. He acknowledged he lacked extensive management experience to run the bureau’s sprawling operations but said he was up to the task. |
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| | + | ==Reputation== |
| | In May 2009 six former Census Bureau directors -- appointed both by Democratic and Republican presidents -- wrote a letter to Sen. [[Joe Lieberman]], the Connecticut independent who is chairman of the Homeland Security committee, describing Dr. Groves as a "nonpartisan, academic researcher" who has "published three of the most-cited textbooks and numerous journal articles on survey research." They called him "one of the half-dozen most highly regarded survey research methodologists not only in the United States but in the world."<ref>See [http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124226239168917717.html Timothy J. Alberta, "Census Nomination Reignites Debate Over How to Count Population," ''Wall Street Journal'' May 14, 2009] </ref> | | In May 2009 six former Census Bureau directors -- appointed both by Democratic and Republican presidents -- wrote a letter to Sen. [[Joe Lieberman]], the Connecticut independent who is chairman of the Homeland Security committee, describing Dr. Groves as a "nonpartisan, academic researcher" who has "published three of the most-cited textbooks and numerous journal articles on survey research." They called him "one of the half-dozen most highly regarded survey research methodologists not only in the United States but in the world."<ref>See [http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124226239168917717.html Timothy J. Alberta, "Census Nomination Reignites Debate Over How to Count Population," ''Wall Street Journal'' May 14, 2009] </ref> |
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| | His confirmation was approved by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee by voice vote without objections, and he appears assured of full Senate approval. Groves assured the Senate on the sampling issue. He also expressed concern about a persistent undercount of minorities, who typically vote for Democrats, but he has not said whether he would push for a government halt to immigration raids — as the Census Bureau successfully did in 2000. After the hearing hearing, House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, said he appreciated Groves' commitment regarding sampling but said he would remain watchful for a "census potentially being tainted by political influence." | | His confirmation was approved by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee by voice vote without objections, and he appears assured of full Senate approval. Groves assured the Senate on the sampling issue. He also expressed concern about a persistent undercount of minorities, who typically vote for Democrats, but he has not said whether he would push for a government halt to immigration raids — as the Census Bureau successfully did in 2000. After the hearing hearing, House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, said he appreciated Groves' commitment regarding sampling but said he would remain watchful for a "census potentially being tainted by political influence." |
| − | | + | ==Duties== |
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| | Based on court precedents and the [[Census Act]], the Secretary of Commerce has power to conduct the census in whatever way he deems will be most accurate, including the use of adjustment methods. The Census Act states, "Except for the determination of population for purposes of apportionment of Representatives in Congress among the several States, the Secretary shall, if he considers it feasible, authorize the use of the statistical method known as 'sampling' in carrying out the provisions of this title."" | | Based on court precedents and the [[Census Act]], the Secretary of Commerce has power to conduct the census in whatever way he deems will be most accurate, including the use of adjustment methods. The Census Act states, "Except for the determination of population for purposes of apportionment of Representatives in Congress among the several States, the Secretary shall, if he considers it feasible, authorize the use of the statistical method known as 'sampling' in carrying out the provisions of this title."" |
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| | Groves was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, a college town. He obtained a bachelor's degree in sociology from Dartmouth College (1970), a master's in sociology and statistics from the University of Michigan (1973), and Ph.D from the same institution in Ph.D in sociology in 1975, where he then taught for 15 years before being appointed as an associate director of the 1990 Census. In 1992, Groves returned and taught at the University of Michigan for another 17 years, eventually heading the University of Michigan's Survey Research Center. His work has focused on "correcting" non-responsive errors in polling.<ref name="Who Runs Gov">http://www.whorunsgov.com/Profiles/Robert_M._Groves</ref> | | Groves was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, a college town. He obtained a bachelor's degree in sociology from Dartmouth College (1970), a master's in sociology and statistics from the University of Michigan (1973), and Ph.D from the same institution in Ph.D in sociology in 1975, where he then taught for 15 years before being appointed as an associate director of the 1990 Census. In 1992, Groves returned and taught at the University of Michigan for another 17 years, eventually heading the University of Michigan's Survey Research Center. His work has focused on "correcting" non-responsive errors in polling.<ref name="Who Runs Gov">http://www.whorunsgov.com/Profiles/Robert_M._Groves</ref> |
| | + | ==Further reading== |
| | + | * [http://www.mytwocensus.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/groves-pre-hearing-questions-2009-05-15.pdf Groves questionnaire answers to Senate Committee, May 2009] |
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| | ==References== | | ==References== |