Census vs. Sample

[apdragon]

I am looking for more clarification on how a census survey is usually analyzed and reported. While there is a lot of information on how to go about applying statistical tests and estimates for sample data to make inferences about the population, there is not a lot of information on how to interpret census data. The information sources I have come across just states that it is not practical or economical to survey everyone in the entire population therefore sampling should be used. However, the population I deal with is small and it is feasible to survey everyone.

I understand that statistical tests rely on the sampling distribution to determine how certain you are that you are within a range from the population parameter. However, in a census survey wouldn’t I have the population parameter and therefore would not need tests of significance? Would I just summarize the data as found on the frequency tables (depending on my data type of course)? What about measures of associations to test relationship with subgroups? Any guidance that can be provided would greatly be appreciated.

[terzi]

Exactly, any descriptive analysis will give you the true parameters, so you won't need any inference at all.

Still, there are many descriptive multivariate analysis that may provide some cool results, but that would be based on your objectives.

[apdragon]

Terzi,
Just to clarify, are you confirming that I would simply describe the data as is and use univariate descriptive statistics? As with most surveys, there is non-response. What if I wanted to account for the uncertainty with the nonresponse?

Also, which multivariate analysis could I use for population data that wouldn't test for significance?

[terzi]

Yes, a descriptive analysis will give you the true parameters. So contingency tables, frequencies and descriptive statistics and graphics can be used. You can even obtain correlations and other bivariate measures and analysis.

Now, there are certain multivariate tools, such as Cluster Analysis, or Principal Component Analysis that give a descriptive, multivariate insight of your data. Of course, everything will depend on the results you wish to obtain.