LAUS Stakeholder and State Partners' Feedback Surveys

LAUS Data User Stakeholder Survey
Introduction

Thank you for helping the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) collect critical feedback regarding the 
Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) program. The LAUS program is a Federal­State 
cooperative effort in which monthly estimates of total employment and unemployment are prepared 
for approximately 7,500 areas. Your responses will be used to develop new products and improve our 
existing services.  
Even if you are not a frequent user of LAUS products, any feedback you can provide would be 
appreciated. Your participation in this survey is voluntary. We estimate that it will take approximately 
10 minutes to complete. We are collecting this information under OMB Number [ ]. Without this 
currently approved number, BLS could not conduct this survey (Expiration date: ).  
The survey questions are based on broad user experience and responses will be aggregated for 
analysis. Your responses will remain anonymous and confidential. 
If you have any questions about this survey, please e­mail Christopher Erickson or call (202)­691­6458. 
Click Next below to begin the survey.  
This survey is being administered by SurveyMonkey.com and resides on a server outside of the BLS 
domain. BLS cannot guarantee the protection of survey responses and advises against the inclusion of 
sensitive personal information in any response. 

Page 1

LAUS Data User Stakeholder Survey

Uses of LAUS Data

1. How do you use Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS)
data? (Check all that apply):
c Forecasting
d
e
f
g
c Reporting
d
e
f
g

c Policy research/analysis
d
e
f
g

c Economic research/analysis
d
e
f
g
c Financial research/analysis
d
e
f
g
c Legislative requirement
d
e
f
g

c EB­5 requirement (Immigrant Investor Program)
d
e
f
g
c Educational uses
d
e
f
g
c Personal interest
d
e
f
g

c Do not use LAUS data
d
e
f
g
c Other (please specify):
d
e
f
g

Page 2

LAUS Data User Stakeholder Survey
Difference between CPS and LAUS Data

2. The LAUS program is responsible for producing monthly
estimates for several different geographic areas, referred to as
LAUS data. The LAUS program is also responsible for
tabulating and distributing annual subnational data directly
from the Current Population Survey (CPS). How familiar are
you with the distinction between LAUS and CPS data?
j Very familiar
k
l
m
n

j Familiar
k
l
m
n

j Somewhat familiar
k
l
m
n
j Not at all familiar
k
l
m
n

j Not sure/Don't Know
k
l
m
n

Page 3

LAUS Data User Stakeholder Survey
Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) Data

3. How often have you accessed each of the following types of LAUS
data in the past 12 months?
More than 12 times

6­12 times

1­5 times

0 times

State, seasonally adjusted

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

State, not seasonally adjusted

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

Metropolitan area, seasonally 

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

County, not seasonally adjusted

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

City, not seasonally adjusted

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

Other type of LAUS data

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

adjusted
Metropolitan area, not seasonally 
adjusted

Please specify the other type of LAUS data you use (if applicable): 

Page 4

LAUS Data User Stakeholder Survey
LAUS Data

4. For which of the following time periods do you use LAUS
data?
c Current month
d
e
f
g

c Current month and previous twelve­month period
d
e
f
g
c 2010 to present
d
e
f
g
c 2000 to present
d
e
f
g

c Entire historical series
d
e
f
g
c All of the above
d
e
f
g

Page 5

LAUS Data User Stakeholder Survey
LAUS Data Sources

5. In the past 12 months, how often did you obtain LAUS data from the
following sources?
More than 12 times

6­12 times

1­5 times

0 times

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

Text files

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

Tables

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

News releases

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

State websites

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

Compressed tape files

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

.api files

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

Other 
Technical notes, FAQs, other 

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

Maps

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

From BLS staff

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

One­screen search (database tool 
on the website using pop­up data 
browser)
Multi­screen search (database tool 
on the website using multiple 
search screens)

explanatory documentation

Page 6

LAUS Data User Stakeholder Survey
LAUS Data

6. How useful are LAUS data to you and/or the function of your
organization?
j Extremely useful
k
l
m
n
j Very useful
k
l
m
n

j Moderately useful
k
l
m
n
j Slightly useful
k
l
m
n

j Not at all useful
k
l
m
n

Please explain (optional) 

5
6

Page 7

LAUS Data User Stakeholder Survey
LAUS Data and Publications

7. Are LAUS data and publications available for the geographic
areas you require?

j Yes
k
l
m
n
j No
k
l
m
n

j Not sure/Don't know
k
l
m
n

j Not applicable/Do not use
k
l
m
n

Please explain (optional): 

5
6

8. Are LAUS data and publications available in the file formats
that you need?

j Yes
k
l
m
n
j No
k
l
m
n

j Not applicable/Do not use
k
l
m
n
j Not sure/Don't know
k
l
m
n

Please explain (optional): 

5
6

Page 8

LAUS Data User Stakeholder Survey
Using LAUS Data

9. Please rate how easy or difficult the following tasks are for LAUS data
and publications:
Neither easy nor 

Somewhat 

difficult

difficult

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

Easy

Somewhat easy

Finding the data I need

j
k
l
m
n

Downloading the data I need
Finding the data release 

Difficult

schedules

Page 9

LAUS Data User Stakeholder Survey
Timeliness of LAUS Data

10. How timely are the following LAUS data?
Very timely

Timely

Somewhat timely Not at all timely

Don't Know

State data

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

Metropolitan area 

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

County data

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

City data

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

data

Please explain (optional) 

5
6

Page 10

LAUS Data User Stakeholder Survey
Accuracy of LAUS Data

11. In your opinion, how accurately do LAUS data reflect local economic
conditions?
Somewhat 

Not at all 

accurately

accurately

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

Very accurately

Accurately

State data

j
k
l
m
n

Metropolitan area 

Don't Know

data
County data
City data
Other 
Please explain (optional) 

5
6

Page 11

LAUS Data User Stakeholder Survey
LAUS Methodology and Documentation

12. How familiar are you with LAUS state estimation
methodology?
j Very familiar
k
l
m
n

j Somewhat familiar
k
l
m
n
j A little familiar
k
l
m
n

j Not at all familiar
k
l
m
n

13. How familiar are you with LAUS sub­state estimation
methodology?
j Very familiar
k
l
m
n

j Somewhat familiar
k
l
m
n
j A little familiar
k
l
m
n

j Not at all familiar
k
l
m
n

14. How useful is the LAUS technical documentation?
j Extremely useful
k
l
m
n
j Very useful
k
l
m
n

j Moderately useful
k
l
m
n
j Slightly useful
k
l
m
n

j Not at all useful
k
l
m
n

j I am unfamiliar with the LAUS technical documentation
k
l
m
n

Please explain (optional) 

5
6

Page 12

LAUS Data User Stakeholder Survey
Other Sources

15. Do you use other sources of labor force data?

j Yes
k
l
m
n
j No
k
l
m
n

Please list the other sources: 

5
6

Page 13

LAUS Data User Stakeholder Survey
LAUS Technical Questions

16. The following section has 2 questions that ask about
technical aspects of LAUS data. If you are not familiar with
LAUS state and substate estimates, please select "Skip the
next section" below.
j Continue to the next section
k
l
m
n
j Skip the next section
k
l
m
n

Page 14

LAUS Data User Stakeholder Survey
LAUS Annual Revisions

17. LAUS state and substate estimates are revised annually to
incorporate revisions to the input data, a re­estimation of the
model­based estimates, and more recent information. In your
opinion, how accurately do the annual revisions reflect local
economic conditions?
j Very accurately
k
l
m
n
j Accurately
k
l
m
n

j Somewhat accurately
k
l
m
n
j Not at all accurately
k
l
m
n
j Don't Know
k
l
m
n

Please explain (optional) 

5
6

Page 15

LAUS Data User Stakeholder Survey

LAUS Data Revisions

18. How far back should data be revised?
j Data should not be revised
k
l
m
n
j Previous month
k
l
m
n
j One year
k
l
m
n

j Five years
k
l
m
n

j To the beginning of the dataset
k
l
m
n

Please explain (optional) 

5
6

Page 16

LAUS Data User Stakeholder Survey
Sub­national CPS Data

19. Do you use sub­national CPS data (for example, alternative
measures of labor underutilization, Geographic Profile of
Employment and Unemployment)?

j Yes
k
l
m
n
j No
k
l
m
n

Page 17

LAUS Data User Stakeholder Survey
Sub­national CPS Data and Methodology

20. How familiar are you with sub­national CPS data and
methodology?
j Very familiar
k
l
m
n

j Familiar
k
l
m
n

j Somewhat familiar
k
l
m
n
j Not at all familiar
k
l
m
n

Page 18

LAUS Data User Stakeholder Survey
CPS Data and Publications

21. Are CPS data and publications available for the geographic
areas you require?

j Yes
k
l
m
n
j No
k
l
m
n

j Not sure/Don't know
k
l
m
n

j Not applicable/Do not use
k
l
m
n

Please explain (optional): 

5
6

22. Are CPS data and publications available in the file formats
that you need?

j Yes
k
l
m
n
j No
k
l
m
n

j Not sure/Don't know
k
l
m
n

j Not applicable/Do not use
k
l
m
n

Please explain (optional): 

5
6

Page 19

LAUS Data User Stakeholder Survey
Sub­national CPS Data

23. What sub­national CPS characteristic data do you use?
c Age
d
e
f
g

c Race and ethnicity
d
e
f
g
c Gender
d
e
f
g

c Educational attainment
d
e
f
g
c Industry
d
e
f
g

c Occupation
d
e
f
g

c Hours worked and full/part time
d
e
f
g

c Duration of unemployment and reason for unemployment
d
e
f
g
c Alternative measures of labor underutilization
d
e
f
g
c Other (please specify):
d
e
f
g

Page 20

LAUS Data User Stakeholder Survey
Communication with BLS

24. Have you communicated with BLS staff about LAUS and/or
CPS data?

j Yes
k
l
m
n
j No
k
l
m
n

Page 21

LAUS Data User Stakeholder Survey
Communication with BLS

25. How have you communicated with BLS staff about LAUS
and/or CPS data? (Check all that apply):
c Email or Website forms
d
e
f
g
c Telephone
d
e
f
g

Page 22

LAUS Data User Stakeholder Survey
BLS Customer Service

26. How do you rate the service you received when
communicating with BLS staff about LAUS and/or CPS data?
j Excellent
k
l
m
n
j Good
k
l
m
n

j Average
k
l
m
n
j Fair
k
l
m
n

j Poor
k
l
m
n

Please explain (optional): 

5
6

Page 23

LAUS Data User Stakeholder Survey
LAUS Products and Website

27. Are there other LAUS products you would like to see in the
future?

j Yes
k
l
m
n
j No
k
l
m
n

Please describe the LAUS products you would like to see in the future: 

5

6

28. Do you have any suggestions for improving the LAUS
website?

j Yes
k
l
m
n
j No
k
l
m
n

Please describe the suggestions for improving the LAUS website: 

5

6

Page 24

LAUS Data User Stakeholder Survey
Other Information

29. Which category best describes the organization at which
you work or study?
j Industry or trade association
k
l
m
n
j Federal government
k
l
m
n
j State government
k
l
m
n

j Local government
k
l
m
n
j University
k
l
m
n

j Research organization
k
l
m
n
j Financial institution
k
l
m
n
j News media
k
l
m
n

j Non­governmental organization
k
l
m
n
j Consulting institution
k
l
m
n
j Blog
k
l
m
n

j Private citizen
k
l
m
n

j Other (please specify):
k
l
m
n

Page 25

LAUS Data User Stakeholder Survey

Other Information

30. Are you a Labor Market Information director or a state
employee that works on the LAUS program?

j Yes
k
l
m
n
j No
k
l
m
n

Page 26

LAUS Data User Stakeholder Survey
Other Comments

Thank you for participating in the LAUS Feedback Survey. 

31. Any other comments about the LAUS program, or suggestions for improvements to the
program, are welcome.
5

6  

Page 27