Cell Suppression and Audit Programs used for Economic Magnitude Data

BUREAU OF THE CENSUSSTATISTICAL RESEARCH DIVISIONStatistical Research Report Series No. RR2001/01 Cell Suppression and Audit Programs used for Economic Magnitude Data Paul B. MassellStatistical Research DivisionMethodology and Standards DirectorateU.S. Bureau of the CensusWashington D.C. 20233Report Issued: March 26, 2001Cell Suppression and Audit Programs used for Economic Magnitude DataSRD Research Report Series No. RR2001/01Paul B. MassellAbstractCell suppression and audit programs have been used at the Census Bureau for many years for insuring theconfidentiality of establishments that contribute data that are used for building economic magnitude datatables. Since the 1987 Economic Census, the suppression programs were based on network flow modelswhich work well for 2D tables but which have some drawbacks for higher dimensional tables. Linearprogramming (LP) based models now appear to be a practical option for higher dimensional tables and theydo not have these same drawbacks. This paper describes work over the last two years in implementingthese LP models, as well as some of the mathematical reasons for preferring the LP based models. Practicalaspects of these programs are discussed; e.g., calculating capacities, refinement runs, backtracking, linkedtables, frozen cells, and rounded data. A description of earlier work is also included, as are goals for futureresearch.Key words: statistical disclosure control, ...