supplemental_statement_B_2004

Supporting Statement for OMB 0596-0186

Perception of Risk, Trust, Responsibility, and Management Preferences among Fire Prone Communities

Approved 7/29/2005

B. Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods

1. Describe (including a numerical estimate) the potential respondent universe and any sam­pling or other respondent selection method to be used. Data on the number of entities (e.g., establishments, State and local government units, households, or persons) in the universe covered by the collection and in the corre­sponding sample are to be provided in tabular form for the uni­verse as a whole and for each of the strata in the proposed sample. Indicate expected response rates for the collection as a whole. If the collection had been conducted previously, include the actual response rate achieved during the last collection.

2. Describe the procedures for the collection of information including:

• Statistical methodology for stratification and sample selection

We will use property owner records and area residential records to gain a cross section of residential addresses and names within each of the four communities. These addresses will be used to contact potential adult respondents and invite their participation, along with a brief description of the study and planned dates and times of sessions. Participants will be able to call a contact at our research unit to be scheduled into a group. A confirmation will be sent to each scheduled participant. Each community has a target of 50 participants, assuming two sessions of 25 participants in each community.

• Estimation procedure

None will be used. Adjustments will be made for unequal n’s in statistical tests as may be needed.

• Degree of accuracy needed for the pur­pose described in the justification

Given the desire to obtain in-depth descriptive information from participants, as well as quantitative information which will then be assumed as representative of focus group participants, and of the styles and ranges of thinking within the San Bernardino National Forest communities, the sampling approaches are deemed adequate.

• Unusual problems requiring specialized sampling procedures

N/A

• Any use of periodic (less frequent than annual) data collection cycles to reduce burden.

N/A

3. Describe methods to maximize response rates and to deal with issues of non-response. The accuracy and reliability of information collected must be shown to be adequate for intended uses. For collections based on sam­pling, a special justification must be provid­ed for any collection that will not yield "reli­able" data that can be generalized to the universe studied.

Response rates on individual questionnaires used previously in focus group sessions have been high as a general rule, with 90% or higher participation in the survey portion. Given that people attend the discussion sessions voluntarily, their willingness to participate is implicit in the scheduling and participation process. We will not be attempting to make generalizations beyond the participating population and the ranges of thinking they represent from the communities in which they live. Care will be taken to monitor number of mailings to each community selected, and number of responses received. Percentage of responses will be tracked for this phase of the inquiry as well, though we expect a high response rate due to the recent emphasis on fire and fire risk in these communities. The first 50 from each community scheduled into the sessions will then ‘fill’ the sessions for that community. Scheduling confirmations will not be sent out until the reply due period, so that we can ensure a distribution of residents across each community area.

4. Describe any tests of procedures or methods to be undertaken. Testing is encouraged as an effective means of refining collections of information to minimize burden and improve utility. Tests must be approved if they call for answers to identical questions from 10 or more respondents. A proposed test or set of tests may be submitted for approval separate­ly or in combination with the main collection of information.

See attached questionnaire and focus group protocol.

5. Provide the name and telephone number of individuals consulted on statistical aspects of the design and the name of the agency unit, contractor(s), grantee(s), or other person(s) who will actually collect and/or analyze the information for the agency.

Dr. Haiganoush Preisler, research statistician, Pacific Southwest Research Station, USDA Forest Service, reviewed this submission package and attached instrument.

Data collection and analysis will be overseen by Dr. Patricia Winter, Research Social Scientist, USDA Forest Service, and Dr. George Cvetkovich, Western Washington University. Focus group transcriptions will be assisted by an individual of Dr. Cvetkovich’s choosing. Analytical and contact support may be provided by the research unit’s technical support team including Nancy Knap and Deanne McCollum, social science technicians, and David Olson, social science analyst.

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