Supporting Statement B (1220-0176)

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

B. COLLECTION OF INFORMATION EMPLOYING STATISTICAL METHODS

1. Universe and Respondent Burden

The September 2007 supplement will be conducted in conjunction with the CPS, for which the universe is 111 million households. From this universe, we select a sample of approximately 72,000 households each month, of which approximately 60,000 households are eligible for interviews. About 55,000 households are actually interviewed each month. The items in the supplement are asked, as appropriate, for members of the households.

2. Procedures for Collecting Information

This is a supplemental survey associated with the September 2007 CPS. The statistical properties of these supplemental items will fall within those associated with the CPS itself. (Attachment G)

3. Methods to Maximize Response

Response rates and data accuracy for the CPS are maintained at high levels through internal consistency edits in the computerized instrument, interviewer instructions, training, and close monitoring of these data. The supplement nonresponse rate was 12.2 in 2002, 13.5 percent in 2003, 13.1 percent in 2004, 12.6 percent in 2005, and 14.5 percent in 2006.

4. Testing of Procedures

Items introduced in the 2006 supplement and those proposed for the 2007 supplement are currently undergoing cognitive testing and expert reviews. Interviewer debriefings and behavior coding conducted on the items are also being analyzed. Attachment H discusses the reliability of the estimates produced from the September 2006 Volunteer Supplement.

5. Contact Persons

The following individuals may be consulted concerning the statistical data collection and analysis operation:

Statistical Design:

Carol A. Gunlicks

Demographic Statistical Methods Division

Bureau of the Census

(301) 763-4241

Statistical Analysis:

Diane Herz

Office of Employment and Unemployment Statistics

Bureau of Labor Statistics

(202) 691-6383

Data Collection/Survey Design:

Maria Reed

Demographic Surveys Division

Bureau of the Census

(301) 763-3806

Attachments

A. Proposed Supplement Questions

B. Title 29, United States Code, Sections 1 through 9

C. News release from September 2006 survey

D. CPS Advance letter

E. Confidentiality Brochure

F. Title 13, United States Code

G. CPS Explanatory Note from Employment & Earnings

H. Source and Accuracy Statement for the September 2006

CPS Microdata file on Volunteers