Data Collected from Non-Federal Sources

Important paperwork and statistical issues facing the government and the public, including individuals, businesses, and state and local governments, are identified. Statistical issues are concerned with the planning methodology, collection, analysis, tabulation, dissemination, use, and potential use of statistics. Paperwork issues involve the burden placed on those outside the federal government who are asked or compelled to supply information to the government for any reason.

The statistical and paperwork implications of data collection from non-federal sources have evolved into four broad issue areas or lines of effort: enhancing the utility of information collected by the government from non-federal sources, reducing the burden of the government's information demands, improving management controls over government information collection efforts, and carrying out GAO's responsibilities under the Federal Reports Act. These issues and related subissues were identified as part of a continuing reassessment of important national issues. The study was prepared as an internal guide to aid GAO in the statistics and paperwork areas.