Difference Wiki

Census vs. Survey

The main difference between the Census and the Survey is that the Census collects information about every member of the population whereas Survey collects information from a sample of population.

Key Differences

Census contains more information, so it is more accurate. Conversely, a survey is not as much accurate or reliable as a census.
It is more expensive to conduct a census; on the other hand, Survey conduction is a less expensive process.
Janet White
Sep 07, 2019
Census does not use any sample selection to collect information on the other hand; a sample is selected in a survey to represent the whole population.
Census requires more time to complete on the flip side; the survey can be completed in a shorter period of time.
Census is commonly conducted by the government while anyone can conduct a survey.
Harlon Moss
Sep 07, 2019
A type of data collection that collects information about every member of the population is known as census, whereas a type of data collection that collects information from a sample of population is known as survey.
ADVERTISEMENT
Census is mostly associated with housing censuses and national population to count all housing units and persons in a specific region while, a survey may focus on different types of information and topics in different fields such as opinions, preferences, behaviors, or factual information, etc.
Census is a more expensive and time taking process so; it cannot be conducted frequently, on the other hand, the survey is a less expensive and less time taking process so, it can be conducted more frequently.

Comparison Chart

.

A type of data collection that collects information about every member of the population is known as census.
A type of data collection that collects information from a sample of the population is known as survey.

Sample Selection

Census does not use any sample selection to collect information.
A sample is selected in a survey to represent whole information.

Accurateness

Census contains more information and is more accurate.
The survey is not as much accurate or reliable as a census.

Time required

Census requires more time to complete.
A survey can be completed in a shorter period of time.
ADVERTISEMENT

Expensive

It is a more expensive process to conduct a census.
Survey conduction is a less expensive process.
Janet White
Sep 07, 2019

Conducted By

Census is commonly conducted by the government.
Anyone can conduct a survey.
Harlon Moss
Sep 07, 2019

Frequency

Census cannot be conducted frequently.
A survey can be conducted more frequently.

Importance

It is mostly associated with housing censuses and national population to count all housing units and persons in a specific region.
It may focus on different types of information and topics in different fields, such as opinions, preferences, behaviors, or factual information, etc.
Janet White
Sep 07, 2019

Census and Survey Definitions

Census

An official, usually periodic enumeration of a population, often including the collection of related demographic information.

Survey

To look over the parts, features, or contents of; view broadly
Surveyed the neighborhood from a rooftop.
Surveyed the shelves in the pantry.
ADVERTISEMENT

Census

In ancient Rome, a count of the citizens and an evaluation of their property for taxation purposes.

Survey

To look at or examine carefully and appraise
Surveyed the storm damage. ].

Census

To include in a census; conduct a census of
"Every plant one centimeter in diameter or larger is censused every five years" (John P. Wiley, Jr.).

Survey

The act of surveying; a general view.

Census

An official count or enumeration of members of a population (not necessarily human), usually residents or citizens in a particular region, often done at regular intervals.

Survey

A particular view; an examination, especially an official examination, of a particular group of items, in order to ascertain the condition, quantity, or quality.
A survey of the stores of a ship; a survey of roads and bridges; a survey of buildings.

Census

Count, tally.

Survey

The operation of finding the contour, dimensions, position, or other particulars of any part of the Earth's surface.

Census

(transitive) To conduct a census on.

Survey

A measured plan and description of any portion of country.
The owners of the adjoining plots had conflicting surveys.

Census

(intransitive) To collect a census.

Survey

An examination of the opinions of a group of people.
The local council conducted a survey of its residents to help it decide whether to go ahead with the roadside waste collection service.

Census

A numbering of the people, and valuation of their estate, for the purpose of imposing taxes, etc.; - usually made once in five years.

Survey

A questionnaire or similar instrument used for examining the opinions of a group of people.
I just filled out that survey on roadside waste pick-up.

Census

An official registration of the number of the people, the value of their estates, and other general statistics of a country.

Survey

(historical) An auction at which a farm is let for a lease for lives.

Census

A period count of the population

Survey

(US) A district for the collection of customs under a particular officer.

Census

Conduct a census;
They censused the deer in the forest

Survey

To inspect, or take a view of; to view with attention, as from a high place; to overlook
He stood on a hill, and surveyed the surrounding country.

Survey

To view with a scrutinizing eye; to examine.

Survey

To examine with reference to condition, situation, value, etc.; to examine and ascertain the state of
It was his job to survey buildings in order to determine their value and risks.

Survey

To determine the form, extent, position, etc., of, as a tract of land, a coast, harbor, or the like, by means of linear and angular measurements, and the application of the principles of geometry and trigonometry
To survey land or a coast

Survey

To examine and ascertain, as the boundaries and royalties of a manor, the tenure of the tenants, and the rent and value of the same.

Survey

To investigate the opinions, experiences, etc., of people by asking them questions; to conduct a survey; to administer a questionnaire.

Survey

To inspect, or take a view of; to view with attention, as from a high place; to overlook; as, to stand on a hill, and survey the surrounding country.
Round he surveys and well might, where he stood,So high above.

Survey

To view with a scrutinizing eye; to examine.
With such altered looks, . . . All pale and speechless, he surveyed me round.

Survey

To examine with reference to condition, situation, value, etc.; to examine and ascertain the state of; as, to survey a building in order to determine its value and exposure to loss by fire.

Survey

To determine the form, extent, position, etc., of, as a tract of land, a coast, harbor, or the like, by means of linear and angular measurments, and the application of the principles of geometry and trigonometry; as, to survey land or a coast.

Survey

To examine and ascertain, as the boundaries and royalties of a manor, the tenure of the tenants, and the rent and value of the same.

Survey

The act of surveying; a general view, as from above.
Under his proud survey the city lies.

Survey

A particular view; an examination, especially an official examination, of all the parts or particulars of a thing, with a design to ascertain the condition, quantity, or quality; as, a survey of the stores of a ship; a survey of roads and bridges; a survey of buildings.

Survey

The operation of finding the contour, dimensions, position, or other particulars of, as any part of the earth's surface, whether land or water; also, a measured plan and description of any portion of country, or of a road or line through it.

Survey

A detailed critical inspection

Survey

Short descriptive summary (of events)

Survey

The act of looking or seeing or observing;
He tried to get a better view of it
His survey of the battlefield was limited

Survey

Consider in a comprehensive way;
He appraised the situation carefully before acting

Survey

Look over in a comprehensively, inspect;
He surveyed his new classmates

Survey

Keep under surveillance;
The police had been following him for weeks but they could not prove his involvement in the bombing

Survey

Hold a review (of troops)

Survey

Make a survey of; for statistical purposes

Survey

Plot a map of (land)

Census Vs. Survey

Census and survey are two methods of data collection that are used to record information about the members. Census is the type of data collection that gathers information about every member of the population; on the other hand, the survey collects information only from a sample of population. Census contains more information and is more accurate, on the flip side, survey is not as much accurate or reliable as a census. There is noá sampling method used in census while we use a sample in survey to represent the whole population. Census requires more time to complete whereas; survey can be completed in a shorter period of time. It is more expensive to conduct a census while conducting a survey is less expensive. Census is commonly conducted by the government, on the other side, anyone can conduct a survey. As census is a more time taking and expensive process so, it cannot be conducted frequently on the other hand, as a survey is a less time taken and a less expensive process so, it can be conducted more frequently.

What is Census?

A type of data collection method that covers the whole population is known as a census. It collects information from every member of the population. Collection of data is without any sampling method so; we can say that 100 percent sample is used in the census. It’s mean it has more detailed and accurate data about a population which is the best advantages of a census. But it is a time taking and expensive process because it involves the entire population, which is a lengthy procedure and involves a longer publication time-frame. That is why it is not easy to conduct a census frequently. It is mostly associated with housing censuses and national population. According to the United Nations, census should be conducted at least after every ten years because the information becomes out of date. Its aim is to count all housing units and persons in the United States. It is generally carried out by the government of the country.

What is Survey?

A type of data collection that only involves a part or sample of the total population is known as a survey. During a survey, a random sample is selected to represent the entire population. As it only involves a sample from a population, so it is less accurate and reliable as compared to a census. As large as the sample is, the result will be more accurate. Different types of data collection methods are used for sampling, such as polls, interviews, questionnaires, etc. It is less time taking and the less expensive process than census and can also be conducted frequently. That is why it has become a popular data collection method in many research fields. It can be conducted to get information about different research fields, e.g. marketing, psychology, and sociology, etc. It may focus on different types of information and topics such as opinions, preferences, behaviors, or factual information, etc.

Trending Comparisons

New Comparisons