Census: Meaning, Method & Uses

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Muskan Shafi

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Census is the process of calculating, acquiring, and recording data in a systematic manner about a given population. Census is the official count of a particular population. Census is conducted at regular intervals. It is used for statistical purposes and is collected every year for planning purposes. Census is used in cases where the area of investigation is limited and requires intensive examination of the population. Census is used in both math and statistics where it helps to collect information about the population in different contexts such as backgrounds, place of stay, etc.

Key Terms: Census, Population, Census Data, Sampling, Statistical Research, Census Records, Enumeration


Meaning of Census 

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Census refers to a process that involves the collection, compilation, and publication of the required data of the people in a particular region in the expected span of time. Census is the official count or survey of a population.

A census includes the entire details of a population such as

  • Population Size
  • Job Details
  • Age Factors
  • Socioeconomic Details
  • Educational Qualifications

The analyses made through the census are essential for government policies and programs, business marketing, research, and planning.

Census

Census

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Methods of Statistical Research

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Statistical research can be carried out in two different ways: 

  1. In the first way, different computations are made on the population calculation along with their educational details, job, qualifications, etc. Then, the entire population results are formulated with the derived conclusions.
  2. In the second way, some of the units represent the entire field (sample survey), and the conclusions of this small unit are further extrapolated to the complete study. 

Census Records

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The information that is collected through the census has many useful applications. Census records are the building blocks for performing research with the collection and analysis of relevant information. 

  • The census data helps the government to implement or introduce policies for the welfare of the needy, change the educational system plans, and budget planning, and in the creation of new employment opportunities.
  • Census data is used by businessmen to know the need of the people and develop new businesses in the required fields. 
  • The census helps the students to find various information regarding studies and choose the field to study.

Census Tracts

Census tracts refer to those small areas where the big cities and their adjacent areas are divided into groups for statistical purposes. The census tracts are primarily designed in order to be relatively uniform according to population characteristics, living conditions, and economic status.


Process of Census

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Census is carried out through various methods. Here is the simplest process of the census which is carried out in the given steps:

  • Creating the Question: The first step involves the creation of different questions to ask and get the right information from the people during the census such as their age, their qualifications, etc. 
  • Asking Questions: Next step involves asking the prepared questions in the right manner. One has to choose the right population subset to ask the questions. 
  • Tally the Results: Perform all the paperwork and computer work and form different categories for different people’s interests.
  • Presenting Results: The results can be presented in any form either in a graphical form or in tabular form. Bar graphs, pie charts, bar lines, etc are the data graphs used for representing data. 

Process of Census

Process of Census


Uses of Census

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Census has proved to be extremely useful in a wide range of disciplines. Some of the major uses of the census are as follows: 

  • The data collected through Census is represented visually or analytically in a statistical way which helps to compare or find an association between different areas of population.
  • Census data is compatible with businesses, governments, charities, schools, etc.
  • The data collected through the census helps in facilitating research, investment, and business decisions both in the public and private sectors.
  • It especially helps the government to collect funds for the needy, plan and implement educational systems, create new employment opportunities, etc.

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Things to Remember

  • Census is a process of acquiring and recording information about a population. 
  • Census is also known as complete enumeration and is conducted on regular intervals.
  • Census is used to collect data on national population, housing censuses, agriculture, business, supplies, etc. 
  • Census helps to gather complete information about job details, age factors, socioeconomic details, population size, and educational qualification of the concerned group.
  • Census Record refers to the final report prepared after a complete survey of the population. 

Sample Questions

Ques. What is the procedure for conducting a Census? (3 Marks)

Ans. The procedure of conducting a Census includes four major steps: 

  • First, the person conducting the census needs to prepare the questionnaire with all relevant questions required for a specific study.
  • Second, the questions have to be asked from the targeted population.
  • Third, all the information collected is compiled and tallied.
  • Lastly, the information in published with the help of graphs and data charts.

Ques. What is Census? Give an example for the same. (3 Marks)

Ans. Census refers to the collection of data from the entire population and not just a group or community. Census is the process of acquiring the data and accumulating the count about a given population which is usually conducted on a regular basis. The most significant example of the census is the Population of India Census which is conducted every 10 years by the Government of India.

Ques. Which details are usually calculated through Census? (3 Marks)

Ans. The following details are usually calculated through Census: 

  • Name of the Family Members
  • Age 
  • State
  • Birthplace of Parents
  • Complete Address
  • Marriage Status
  • Occupation
  • Educational Qualification

Ques. List the difference between Census Method and Sampling Method. (5 Marks)

Ans. The difference between Census Method and Sampling Method is as follows: 

Census Method Sampling Method
Census method is a systematic way of collecting and recording the data. Sampling Method is used to conduct a survey on a group of the population representing the whole group.
Census Method is time-consuming as the person has to deal with each and every detail of the population manually.  Sampling Method is less time-consuming as there is only a specific portion of the population.
Census Method is the most reliable method as one gets clear and accurate information to keep in records. Sampling Method can be accurate as well as inaccurate it all depends upon the margin of error occurrence.

Ques. What is the function of the Census? (2 Marks)

Ans. The main function of the census includes the process of collecting, compiling, analyzing, evaluating, publishing, and disseminating statistical data about the population and residence, housing, and geographical location.

Ques. What do you mean by Census Tracts? (3 Marks)

Ans. Census Tracts refer to the small areas that are used for making a statistical division between big and adjacent cities. They are uniform for making classifications based on characteristics, economic status, and the living conditions of different people. Census tracts are the best representation of the small entity with varying data of populations from different regions. They are used to represent a homogeneous group of entities.

Ques. What is Population Census? (3 Marks)

Ans. Population Census is a type of census that aims to collect information regarding the population of the universe. Population census includes the age, status, education, occupation, gender, activity, size, transport preference, profession, and activities of a particular household. This census is useful to know about the interest of the population and evaluate the implementation of the infrastructure on the national and social levels. The government can easily collect demographic and socioeconomic information with the use of this survey. 

Ques. What is a Census Record? (2 Marks)

Ans. The census record is the final report that is prepared after conducting the survey completely on the population. Census records help us o define people living in a particular area, state, job, qualification, and earnings. 

Ques. What is the definition of Census in Statistics? (2 Marks)

Ans. In statistics, a census is defined as a survey that is conducted on the entire set of observations that is owned by the population. Census in Statistics includes calculating the population, the production of crops, the traffic on a particular road, etc.

Ques. What are the five key areas of the Census? (3 Marks)

Ans. The five key areas covered under the census are 

  1. Economic Well-Being
  2. Health
  3. Safety
  4. Family and Community
  5. Education

All these five areas are largely defined by statistics directly derived from census or calculated using census data.

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