[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 195 (Friday, October 8, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62403-62404]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-25439]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

    In compliance with Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 concerning opportunity for public comment on proposed 
collections of information, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health 
Services Administration (SAMHSA) will publish periodic summaries of 
proposed projects. To request more information on the proposed projects 
or to obtain a copy of the information collection plans, call the 
SAMHSA Reports Clearance Officer on (240) 276-1243.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collections of 
information are 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 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.

Proposed Project: 2011-2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: 
Methodological Field Tests (OMB No. 0930-0290-Revision)

    The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) is a survey of 
the civilian, non-institutionalized population of the United States 12 
years old and older. The data are used to determine the prevalence of 
use of tobacco products, alcohol, illicit substances, and illicit use 
of prescription drugs. The results are used by SAMHSA, ONDCP, Federal 
government agencies, and other organizations and researchers to 
establish policy, direct program activities, and better allocate 
resources.
    In March 2008, SAMHSA received a three-year renewal of its generic 
clearance for methodological field tests. This will be a request for 
another renewal of the generic approval to continue methodological 
tests over the next three years, with conditions similar to the 
previous clearance. These methodological tests will continue to be 
designed to examine the feasibility, quality, and efficiency of new 
procedures or revisions to existing survey protocol. Specifically, the 
tests will measure the reliability and validity of certain 
questionnaire sections and items through multiple measurements on a set 
of respondents; assess new methods for gaining cooperation and 
participation of respondents with the goal of increasing response and 
decreasing potential bias in the survey estimates; and assess the 
impact of new sampling techniques and technologies on respondent 
behavior and reporting. Research will involve focus groups, cognitive 
laboratory testing, field tests, and customer surveys.
    The next wave of methodological tests will continue to examine ways 
to increase data quality, lower operating costs, and gain a better 
understanding of sources and effects of nonsampling error on the NSDUH 
estimates. Particular attention will be given to minimizing the impact 
of design changes so that survey data continue to remain comparable 
over time. If these tests provide successful results, current 
procedures or data collection instruments may be revised.
    The number of respondents to be included in each field test will 
vary, depending on the nature of the subject being tested and the 
target population. However, the total estimated response burden is 
8,251 hours. The exact number of subjects and burden hours for each 
test are unknown at this time, but will be clearly outlined in each 
individual submission. The table below, however, describes the 
anticipated burden for each of the major testing activities for which 
generic approval is being tested.

                              Estimated Burden for NSDUH Methodological Field Tests
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                                                                                      Average
                                     Number of     Responses per   Total number     burden per     Total burden
            Activity                respondents     respondent     of responses      response         (hrs.)
                                                                                      (hrs.)
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a. Focus Groups.................             270               1             270           2.0           540
b. Cognitive laboratory testing.             200               1             200           1.0           200
c. Field Tests..................           6,600               1           6,600           1.0         6,600
d. Customer Satisfaction Surveys             300               1             300           0.25           75
Household screening for c.......           8,910               1           8,910           0.083         740
Screening Verification for c....             445               1             445           0.067          30
Interview Verification for c....             990               1             990           0.067          66
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    Total.......................          17,715  ..............          17,715  ..............       8,251
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        Annual Average (Total              5,905  ..............           5,905  ..............       2,750
         divided by 3 years)....
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[[Page 62404]]

    Send comments to Summer King, SAMHSA Reports Clearance Officer, 
Room 8-1099, One Choke Cherry Road, Rockville, MD 20857 and e-mail a 
copy to [email protected]. Written comments should be received 
within 60 days of this notice.

     Dated: September 30, 2010.
Elaine Parry,
Director, Office of Management, Technology and Operations.
[FR Doc. 2010-25439 Filed 10-7-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4162-20-P