Should States Submit Sample or Population Case-Level Data?
The answer depends upon how your State’s subsidized child care data will be used. If the only purpose for the data collection is to produce annual reports on the general characteristics of families receiving assistance, analyses based on simple random samples will suffice. If the subsidized child care data set is to have other uses, however, sampled data should not be used because it limits analysis to descriptive cross-sectional research both at the State and national levels. If entire monthly populations are included in State and national data sets, longitudinal research will be possible in addition to descriptive cross-sectional research. Advantages and Disadvantages of Submitting Full Population Data Many States are now redesigning their systems to better meet more complex information needs. States may want to develop information systems which will eventually allow them to submit population data because: • Population reporting is less burdensome for child care workers. If your Stat
