Census of Agriculture, 2007

Processing:
The processing of the 2007 Census of Agriculture for Guam was done by NASS. Each report form was reviewed and coded prior to data keying. Report forms not meeting the census farm definition were voided. The remaining report forms were examined for accuracy, consistency, and completeness. Reporting errors in computations, units of measures, data inconsistencies, and misplaced entries were corrected. Missing information was derived using reported data for similar type and size farms in nearby areas. After all the report forms had been reviewed and coded, the data were keyed and subjected to a thorough computer edit. The edit performed comprehensive checks for consistency and reasonableness, corrected erroneous or inconsistent data, supplied missing data based on similar farms, and assigned farm classification codes necessary for tabulating the data. All substantial changes to the data generated by the computer edits were reviewed and verified by analysts. Inconsistencies were reviewed, corrected, and keyed to a correction file. The corrected data were then tabulated by the computer and reviewed by analysts. Prior to publication, tabulated totals were reviewed by analysts to identify inconsistencies and potential coverage problems. Comparisons were made with previous census data, as well as other available data. The computer system provided the capability to review up-to-date tallies of all selected data items for various sets of criteria which included, but were not limited to, geographic levels, farm types, and sales levels. Data were examined for each set of criteria and a write-up (criticism) was produced for data that were inconsistent. Each criticism was then researched by examining individual data records contributing to the tabulated total. W hen necessary, data inconsistencies were resolved by carrying corrections to data records.