Understanding Statistics

The Estimating Programs - Estimate Revisions

Estimates are revised periodically to provide a better foundation for current and future estimates. Revisions are made when sufficient data become available to check the accuracy of the original estimates. For example, end-of-year estimates of livestock inventories are compared with records of livestock slaughtered under Federal inspection and other data in the following year; if necessary, the original estimates are revised. Similarly, additional data about crops after harvest may mean production estimates have to be adjusted. Estimates are re-evaluated and revised to determine the most accurate benchmark against which to weigh current survey data: new data must be compared with accurate historical data to produce the most reliable estimates.

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Last Modified: 05/04/2018