SupportingStatement_PartB

2

Supporting Statement

B. Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods

1. Universe and Respondent Selection

The ASEC is conducted in conjunction with the CPS, for which the universe is 105 million households. From the universe of 105 million, we select a sample of approximately 60,500 households. With the SCHIP general expansion, this increased to 72,000 households each month. Of these, approximately 60,000 households will be eligible for interview; and we will actually interview approximately 56,000 households.

To enlarge the ASEC sample, we will add approximately 4,700 Hispanic households interviewed in the previous November CPS. We expect to interview approximately 3,500 of these households. To this, we will add approximately 8,800 minority and White (with children) households that were interviewed in November. We expect to interview about 6,500 of these households. Additionally, we will conduct the ASEC to selected minority and White (with children) households during February and April. These households will be “borrowed” from the February outgoing and the April incoming rotation groups. We expect to select approximately 12,800 such households, with about 12,000 actually being interviewed. This brings us to a total of approximately 78,000 households planned for interview in fiscal year 2007.

We use a household respondent to answer the supplement items for all household members 15 years of age or older. The response rate for the ASEC averages 91 percent.

2. Procedures for Collecting Information

This is a supplemental survey associated with the CPS. Attachment B gives an overview of the CPS sample, design, weighting methodology, and response rates. The statistical properties of these supplemental items will fall within those associated with the CPS itself.

3. Methods to Maximize Response

Response rates and data accuracy for the CPS are maintained at high levels through computer edits, interviewer instruction and training, and close monitoring of the data. Refer to "Overview of CPS Design and Methodology," item 5, for a discussion of CPS nonresponse (Attachment B).

Some amount of allocation for item nonresponse is done within the ASEC supplement for eligible people. Item nonresponse rates range from less than

2 percent for the work experience items to more than 15 percent for some of the income items, such as interest and dividends.

4. Tests of Procedures or Methods

In recent years, the CPS completed a series of methodological and questionnaire tests; these are described in item 6 of Attachment B.

5. Contacts for Statistical Aspects and Data Collection

The following individuals may be contacted on the statistical, data collection, and analysis operations:

Statistical Collection Operations:

Maria Reed

Demographic Surveys Division

U.S. Census Bureau

Washington, DC 20233-8400

(301) 763-3806

Survey Content:

Edward J. Welniak

Housing and Household Economic Statistics

U.S. Census Bureau

Washington, DC 20233-8500

(301) 763-5533

List of Attachments:

A—ASEC Questionnaire

B—Overview of CPS Sample Design and Methodology

C—Source and Accuracy Statement

D—CPS-263(MIS-1)(L), CPS Respondent Letter

E—Confidentiality Brochure

F—CPS-580(ASEC)(L), ASEC Respondent Letter

G—CPS-580(L)SP, ASEC Respondent Letter in Spanish

H—CPS-676, "Changing Situation" Pamphlet

I—CPS-676(SP), "Changing Situation" Pamphlet in Spanish

J—Federal Register comments