Facsimile I. Form CPS-260 Control Card

At the time of the first CPS interview, the interviewer prepares a list of all persons who are staying in the selected sample unit. The roster is constructed using the field Control Card, Form CPS-260. The roster and questions on the control card are used to identify the living space constituting the sample unit. A control card is prepared for each housing unit. It provides for recording the personal characteristics of each person who is determined to be a member of a sample household, i.e., a person for whom the sample unit is the usual place of residence. This record of members, which is brought up to date at each subsequent interview to take account of new or departed residents, changes in age, marital status, etc., and constitutes the complete sample of persons from which subsamples, having specified characteristics, are selected for specific studies.

Facsimile II. Origin or Descent Flashcard

Hispanic persons were identified by a question that asked for self-identification of the person's origin or descent. Respondents were asked to select their origin (and the origin of other household members) from the flashcard. Hispanic persons were those who indicated that their origin was Mexican-American, Chicano, Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central or South American (Spanish countries), or other Spanish origin.

Facsimile III. Race Flashcard

The race of individuals was identified by a question that asked for self-identification of the persons's race. Respondents were asked by select their race (and the origin of other household members) from the flashcard. The population is divided into five groups on the basis of race: White; Black; American Indian, Eskimo or Aleut; Asian or Pacific Islander; and Other races beginning with March 1989. The last category includes any other race except the four mentioned. In most of the published tables, "Other races" is shown in total population.

Facsimile IV. CPS-1-Basic Questionnaires

For each household and for each civilian household member 15 years old and over, the interviewer completes a CPS questionnaire that asks the household respondent a series of structured questions concerned with economic activity during the week containing the 12th day of the month. This week, referred to as the survey week, is the week preceding interview week. These questions appear as items 19-24 on the CPS questionnaire. The primary purpose of these questions is to classify the sample population into three basic groups-the employed, the unemployed, and those not in the labor force. Interviewers are trained to ask the questions as they appear on the questionnaire.