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In a census, data about all individual units (e.g. people or households) are collected in the population. In a survey, data are only collected for a sub-part of the population; this part is called a sample.

A statistical investigation in which the data are collected for each and every element/unit of the population is termed as census method. ● It is also known as 'complete enumeration' or '100% enumeration' or 'complete survey'. ● It is useful when case intensive study is required or the area is limited.

The Census Method is also called as a Complete Enumeration Survey Method wherein each and every item in the universe is selected for the data collection, or whenever the entire population is studied to collect the detailed data about every unit.

Similarities Between Census and Sample Survey Both methods use predetermined questions or variables to collect data. They are both employed to draw conclusions about a population based on collected sample data.

A census is an attempt to list all elements in a group and to measure one or more characteristics of those elements. The group is often an actual national population, but it can also be all houses, businesses, farms, books in a library, cars from an assembly line, and so on.

A census is a collection of information from all units in the population or a 'complete enumeration' of the population. We use a census when we want accurate information for many subdivisions of the population. Such a survey usually requires a very large sample size and often a census offers the best solution.

While a census is an attempt to gather information about every member of the population, sampling gathers information only about a part, the sample, to represent the whole. Because a sample is only part of the popula- tion, we can study it more extensively than we can all of the members of the population.