[Federal Register: October 5, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 192)]
[Notices]
[Page 58180-58182]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05oc05-38]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Census Bureau
Decennial Short Form Experiment
ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C.
3506(c)(2)(A)).
DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before December 5,
2005.
ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th
and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet
at DHynek@doc.gov).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Requests for additional information or copies of the information
collection instrument(s) and instructions should be directed to
Elizabeth Martin, Census Bureau, Building 3, Room Number 3715,
Washington, DC 20333, 301-763-4905 (elizabeth.ann.martin@census.gov).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
Introduction
The Census Bureau plans to conduct an experimental mailing for the
Decennial Short Form. The goal of this experiment is to improve the
quality of data collected in the 2010 Census and the response to the
mailed Short Form.
The experiment will include treatment groups that encompass three
objectives. The first objective of the test is to evaluate the effects
of the wording of the instruction about whom to list as Person 1. The
instruction used in Census 2000 caused confusion and errors by
respondents in cognitive interviews. Consequently, the instruction was
revised to try to correct the problems identified in cognitive testing.
The revised version has been through two additional rounds of cognitive
testing, and it seems to promote more accurate responses. The field
test will provide empirical evidence that we will use to evaluate the
success of the revised instruction.
The second goal of the field test is to evaluate an additional
question series that is designed to alleviate respondent confusion
about what constitutes a completed form. The additional question will
provide respondents with a clear stopping point, which is currently
lacking. (Respondents in previous cognitive interviews spent
considerable time trying to figure out when and where they are supposed
to stop.) The final question series will collect the respondent's name,
phone number, and proxy status. (In some cases, someone outside the
household completes the questionnaire--e.g., a child of an elderly
individual. This type of respondent is a ``proxy'' respondent for the
household.) This information will be used to evaluate the effect of the
revised instruction on the frequency with which respondents erroneously
leave themselves off the form. An experimental version will further ask
respondents to make sure that the forms
[[Page 58181]]
are complete before they mail them back.
The third goal of the field test is to evaluate how a compressed
mailing schedule with a ``due date'' on the form impacts the rate and
speed of response. By ``compressed'' we mean that the mailing schedule
will differ from the standard 2000 Census approach, where the Short
Form is mailed 2 weeks before ``Census Day.'' In the compressed
approach, we will time the mailing so that households receive the
questionnaire a few days before ``Census Day.'' ``Census Day'' for this
test will be approximately one month after we receive OMB approval.
Background
Research by Dillman, Parsons, and Mahon-Taft (2004) revealed that
the instruction used in Census 2000 caused serious confusion and errors
by respondents in cognitive interviews. Almost half (13 of 30) of the
respondents expressed confusion about whom to list as Person 1, and 13
percent left themselves or someone else off the form entirely.
Misunderstanding this instruction may cause coverage errors since
subsequent questions ask for each person's relationship to Person 1--
the householder. Respondents who list the wrong person as Person 1 will
be reporting relationship incorrectly for the members of their
households.
Another challenge in the current questionnaire is that some
respondents are unclear what constitutes a completed form. Respondents
in recent cognitive interviews spent considerable time trying to figure
out when and where they are supposed to stop. While this may not affect
the quality of the data, it does increase respondent burden and may
also delay return of the form.
Finally, the mail back response rate and the speed with which
households return their questionnaires is highly correlated with the
cost of the Decennial Census. The current form does not provide
households with any indication of the questionnaire due date. This fact
may delay response, and therefore increase the number of contacts
(followup mailings and in-person contacts) necessary to obtain a
completed questionnaire.
Based on these issues, we have designed a field test to evaluate
new methods to address these concerns. There are three objectives of
this special mailout test:
1. Evaluate the effects of the wording of the instruction about who
to list as Person 1.
2. Evaluate the proportion of respondents who forget to enumerate
themselves by asking them to provide their personal information at the
end of the form.
3. Evaluate how a compressed schedule with a fixed due date impacts
unit response patterns.
In order to assess these treatments, the Census Bureau has proposed
the following design:
Group 1. Housing units in this treatment group will
receive questionnaires with the same wording for the Person 1
instruction that we used in the Census 2000 questionnaire. In the Final
Question, respondents will be asked to provide their name, telephone
number and proxy information. The mail out schedule will be the
conventional schedule. The questionnaire will be mailed two weeks
before ``Census Day'', and there will be no explicit deadline.
Group 2. Housing units in this treatment group will
receive questionnaires with the revised wording for the Person 1
instruction. In the Final Question, respondents will be asked to
provide their name, telephone number and proxy information. The mailout
schedule will be the conventional schedule. The questionnaire will be
mailed two weeks before ``Census Day'' and there will be no explicit
deadline.
Group 3. Housing units in this treatment group will
receive questionnaires with the revised wording for the Person 1
instruction. In the Final Question, respondents will be asked to check
over their answers before considering the survey complete. The mailout
schedule will be the conventional schedule. The questionnaire will be
mailed two weeks before ``Census Day'' and there will be no explicit
deadline.
Group 4. Housing units in this treatment group will
receive questionnaires with the revised wording for the Person 1
instruction. In the Final Question, respondents will be asked to check
over their answers before considering the survey complete. The mailout
schedule will be compressed, so that the survey is received closer to
``Census Day'' and an explicit due date will be provided.
II. Method of Collection
The Census Bureau will select a national sample of households for
the Short Form Mail Experiment. The sample will be drawn from the U.S.
Postal Service (USPS) Delivery Sequence File (DSF), which contains all
delivery point addresses serviced by the USPS. The USPS list sometimes
misses new housing, includes vacant units, excludes addresses where the
addressee has requested removal from the list, and may have limited
information for individuals who live in apartments or who have post
office boxes and rural route addresses. Even so, it is the most cost
effective approach available for the test. We do not anticipate that
the limitations of the address list will have a substantial impact on
the results of the experiment.
In order to obtain completed surveys from 10,000 households, we
plan to draw an initial sample of 24,000 households. (Since previous
Census Bureau mailout tests have obtained response rates of 40 to 50
percent, we have assumed a response rate of 45 percent and an
undeliverable rate of 7 percent.) The sample will be allocated
proportionately across the 50 states and the District of Columbia.
We will mail the following independent mailing pieces to households
at all sampled addresses: An advance letter, an original questionnaire
with postage-paid return envelope, and a reminder card. A replacement
questionnaire with postage-paid return envelope will be mailed to those
who request them. All mailing pieces will be delivered by the USPS via
first class postage.
The advance letter will be delivered approximately three weeks
after we receive approval from OMB to conduct the test. This letter
will inform respondents that they will soon receive a census form.
About a week later, each sampled address will receive a mailing package
that includes the questionnaire (English only) and a return envelope.
Approximately one week after the initial questionnaires have been
delivered, the USPS will deliver a reminder post card to each address.
This postcard--which will be mailed seven days following the mailing of
the questionnaire--will serve as a thank-you for respondents who have
mailed back the questionnaire and will be a reminder for those who have
not. A second postcard, which will be mailed approximately 10 days
later, will be sent only to non-respondents.
III. Data
OMB Number: None.
Form Number: D-61A.
Type of Review: Regular.
Affected Public: Individuals.
Maximum Number of Respondents: 24,000 housing units.
Estimated Time Per Response: All questionnaires will require
approximately 10 minutes for response.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: A maximum burden of 4,000
hours
Estimated Total Annual Cost: There is no cost to respondents except
for their time to respond.
Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
[[Page 58182]]
Legal Authority: Title 13 of the United States Code, sections 141
and 193.
IV. Request for Comments
Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information;
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of
automated collection techniques or other forms of information
technology.
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.
Dated: September 29, 2005.
Madeleine Clayton,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 05-19894 Filed 10-4-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P