Editing Census (section)

==Sampling==
[[File:Tehran Census 1869.png|thumb|The [[Tehran]] census in 1869<ref>{{Cite web |title=Amar darolkhaneh |url=http://files.tarikhema.org/pdf/ejtemaee/Amar_darolkhaneh_Tarikhema_org.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191103114014/http://files.tarikhema.org/pdf/ejtemaee/Amar_darolkhaneh_Tarikhema_org.pdf |archive-date=2019-11-03 |url-status=live |access-date=20 November 2022 |website=tarikhema.org}}</ref>]]{{Single source|date=October 2024|section}}
A census is often construed as the opposite of a sample as it intends to count everyone in a population, rather than a fraction. However, population censuses do rely on a [[sampling frame]] to count the population. This is the only way to be sure that everyone has been included, as otherwise those not responding would not be followed up on and individuals could be missed. The fundamental premise of a census is that the population is not known, and a new estimate is to be made by the analysis of primary data. The use of a sampling frame is [[counterintuitive]] as it suggests that the [[population size]] is already known. However, a census is also used to collect attribute data on the individuals in the nation, not only to assess population size. This process of sampling marks the difference between a historical census, which was a house-to-house process or the product of an imperial decree, and the modern [[Statistics|statistical]] project.

The sampling frame used by a census is almost always an address register. Thus, it is not known if there are any residents or how many people there are in each household. Depending on the mode of enumeration, a form is sent to the householder, an enumerator calls, or administrative records for the dwelling are accessed. As a preliminary to the dispatch of forms, census workers will check for any address problems on the ground. While it may seem straightforward to use the postal service file for this purpose, this can be out of date and some dwellings may contain several independent households. A particular problem is what is termed "[[communal establishments]]", a category that includes student residences, religious orders, homes for the elderly, people in prisons, etc. As these are not easily enumerated by a single householder, they are often treated differently and visited by special teams of census workers to ensure they are classified appropriately.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Communal establishment type |url=https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/metadata/communal-establishment-type/ |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=Scotland's Census |language=en}}</ref>