Attachment 1:
Screener Guide
Confirmation Letter
Reminder Phone Script
Hello, my name is ___________. I am calling on behalf of Macro International, a research and consulting firm in the Washington DC area. We are working with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to obtain feedback on a new Schedule they are developing. We are seeking participants for a focus group we are holding in [insert city].
IF ASKED: (EACH INTERVIEWER WILL HAVE THIS INFORMATION)
If respondents ask how their name was obtained, tell them their phone number was randomly selected from a list of individuals in the local calling area. If respondents are concerned about participating, tell them that our contract with the IRS specifically prohibits me from revealing their name or any information about them to the IRS or anyone else. Participation in this focus group will not affect your taxes or filing status.
This project has been approved by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The OMB Clearance Number is xxxx-xxxx. If you like, I can give you a name and address where you can send comments and questions regarding these time estimates or suggestions for making this process simpler.
Internal Revenue Service
Tax Products Coordinating Committee
1111 Constitution Ave, NW IR-6526
SE:W:CAR:MP:T:T:SP
Washington, DC 20024
Your answers to these questions will be held completely Private by Macro, meaning we will not provide your name or any identifying information to the IRS.
Did you file a federal tax return this year?
( ) Yes Continue
( ) No Terminate
Did you file a Form 1040 or 1040A for tax year 2008?
( ) Yes……………….. Continue
( ) No Terminate
For the tax year 2008, how was your income tax return filed? (Note to recruiter: Try and recruit all paper and pencil filers, but if needed some respondents, but not more than 20% per group can have used software)
( ) Self-prepared using paper and pencil………………………Continue
( ) Self-prepared using Self prepared software………………Continue (20% Maximum per group)
( ) Using preparer ………………………………………………Terminate
( ) Not sure………………………………………………………Terminate
In 2008, did you, or your spouse if filing jointly, receive any income from the following sources:
Wages;
Social security benefits, supplemental social security income, railroad retirement benefits, or veterans disability compensation or pension benefits; or
Pension or annuity for services you performed as an employee of the U.S. government or any any US state or local government?
( ) Yes Continue
( ) No Terminate
For questions 5-10, recruit a mix of individuals
Into which of the following categories does your age fall? May opt-out if they wish to.
( ) less than 18 Terminate
( ) 18 to 33
( ) 34-44
( ) 45 to 63
( ) 65 and older
What was your filing status on your most recent tax return? [Read responses and check one]
( ) Single
( ) Married/jointly
( ) Married/separately
( ) Head of household
( ) Widow/widower
Please identify your highest completed level of education. [May opt-out if they wish to.]
( ) Some High School
( ) High School Diploma/GED
( ) Some College or Associate’s Degree
( ) Bachelor’s Degree
( ) Graduate or Professional Degree (M.D., J.D.)
So that we can be sure that all backgrounds are represented in our project, could you please tell me the race and ethnic origin you identify with [1 or more responses OK; may opt-out if they wish to].
7. Are you of Hispanic or Latino origin?
( ) Yes
( ) No
8. What is your race? Please select one or more.
( ) White
( ) Black or African American
( ) Asian
( ) Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
( ) American Indian or Alaska Native
Which of these categories does your total annual household income fall into?
( ) Less than $34,999
( ) $35,000 to $49,999
( ) $50,000 to $75,000
( ) Over $75,000
Record Gender—DO NOT ASK UNLESS UNABLE TO DETERMINE; may opt-out they wish to.
( ) Female
( ) Male
INVITATION
Thank you for answering our questions. Based on your responses, we would like to invite you to participate in a focus group which will be held in [insert city] [insert date] at [insert time]. The total time will be no more than 2 hours. We will provide everything that you need to participate in the focus group. Your participation is completely voluntary.
Are you willing to participate?
( ) Yes Continue
( ) No Terminate
I’m glad that you will be able to join us! We will provide you with a $75 stipend for participating as well as a light meal and refreshments. At this point I need to collect some contact information from you. Then we will send you a confirmation letter and directions to the facility via e-mail.
We are only inviting a few people, so it is very important that you notify us as soon as possible if for some reason you are unable to participate. Please call [insert recruiter contact and phone] if this should happen. We look forward to having you participate on [insert day] at [insert time].
Do you have any questions?
Great! Thank you for your time and we will be in touch again the day of the focus group. Please remember to bring reading glasses if you use them.
TERMINATE TEXT
Thank you very much for your time, and thank you for answering our questions. Unfortunately, based on the focus group requirements, we cannot extend you an invitation. Perhaps at a later time we can include you in a future focus group. Have a good [day/evening].
Confirmation Letter
<Insert date>
Dear <insert name>,
Thank you for agreeing to participate in a focus group discussion on <insert date> at <insert time> at <insert facility name>. Please arrive 15 minutes before the start of the focus group so that you can complete some paperwork and have something to eat. Snacks and refreshments will be provided. As a thank you for participating in the focus group, you will be given $XX at the end of the discussion.
The directions to the facility are attached. We are accessible by public transportation [insert bus number/subway station as appropriate]. If you would like to drive, parking is available [insert information about parking and any costs].
If you have any questions, please call <insert facility manager’s name> at <facility phone number>.
Thank you for your time and participation.
[Insert facility manager’s name]
[Insert name of facility] on behalf of Macro International Inc.
Reminder Phone Script
To be used no more than 24 hours prior to the scheduled focus group. If participant is not available, leave voice mail message and try back later.
Hello, may I speak to <insert name>? Hi, my name is <insert recruiter’s name> and I work for Macro International. I’m calling to remind you about the focus group you agreed to participate in tomorrow at <insert time> at <insert location>. Are you still able to participate? Great! I <mailed/e-mailed> you directions to our facility. Did you receive the directions? [If no, read directions and follow with an e-mail.] [If yes] Do you have any questions about how to get to the facility?
Please remember to bring reading glasses if you use them. If you need to cancel for any reason, I would appreciate if you would call me at ][insert phone number].
We look forward to seeing you tomorrow.
Attachment 2:
Moderator’s Guide
[Note: Information in regular type is meant to be said by the moderator. Instructions for the moderator are included in italics].
Focus Group Moderator’s Guide
Schedule M
Focus Groups
INTRODUCTION
Introduction of the moderator.
Explanation of the nature of the general study—to provide input on the new Schedule M, Making Work Pay Credit, which will be attached to Forms 1040 and 1040A.
Explanation of the purpose of the focus group approach—to explore in a semi-structured manner what people think about the issues.
The group discussion of the issues often generates deeper insights than individual one-on-one interviews.
A topic oriented discussion of issues allows the participants to identify the important dimensions that might be lost in a structured interview setting.
It’s interactive so that the participants can talk back to us—ask what we mean, tell us when a question doesn’t make any sense, or means different things to different people.
BASIC GROUND RULES:
Everything that you say here will be kept strictly Private. We will use first names only and names will not be used in the report. You will remain anonymous to the IRS and are free to tell me what you think.
For the IRS to speak with the public, we are required to have approval from the Office of Management and Budget. Their approval number for this project is 1545-1349. Also, if you have any comments regarding the time estimates associated with this study or suggestions on making this process simpler, please write to the: IRS Tax Products Coordinating Committee, 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW, IR-6526, Washington, DC 20224.
We are audio-taping the meeting for use in preparing a report about findings. Your name will not be used in the report; but the tapes will help me remember the valuable input you give me to share with the Service. [Note to moderator: if anyone voices concern, also mention that the note taker cannot write as fast as participant’s speak nor can you remember everything after traveling to the three different cities over several months.]
Because we are taping this meeting, I ask that you speak loudly and clearly. If I think you are speaking too softly to be heard on the tape, I will ask you to speak up.
Please speak just one at a time so everyone has a chance to participate.
Don’t engage in side conversations—we need for everyone to hear what the others are saying and for everything that’s said to be heard easily on the tape.
Sometimes I’ll go around the table and ask everyone for their input. At other times, I will just throw a topic open for general discussion.
Participation—we need to get a full range of opinions, and we need everyone’s participation. You are here to talk. I am here to listen. I am not an expert in tax law so I cannot answer questions that involve tax law represented in Schedule M.
No evaluation—there are no right and wrong answers. We expect differences in how people see things, and we need to know about these differences.
Feel free to disagree or question each other. The purpose of a group session is that we learn things in group interchanges that we don’t get out of one-on-one discussions. If someone says something you disagree with, please let us know.
If you have a cell phone, please turn it off, or set it to vibrate. We don’t want the group to be disturbed and we also need your full attention during the session.
The session will last about two hours.
INTRODUCTION OF PARTICIPANTS
Let’s go around the table. Please introduce yourself (first name only, please) and tell us how you file your tax reruns (e-file, mail, etc.).
Scenarios and Discussion
Now let’s take a look at this scenario. Distribute copies of the scenario. Please complete the entries on Version A using the information provided in this scenario. Be sure to use the instructions provided with the Form to complete them. Take about 10-20 minutes to complete the scenario.
Before you begin the scenario, please take a look at Schedule M. While you are completing the Schedule consider the look, layout, and language. We will discuss these items after you complete the scenario.
Note to moderator. Two scenarios will be used at each session. Each version of Schedule M will be used to complete both scenarios.
Note: Each round of testing will be run as follows:
Round 1: Scenario X will be used to complete each version. Version A will be completed first and version B will be completed second.
Round 2: Scenario Y will be used to complete each version. Version B will be completed first and version A will be completed second.
When everyone looks like they have finished, ask participants to put down their pencils and not make any modifications to the form
Please mark on the top of the schedule the time it takes you to complete the schedule.
Schedule M Version A
Did you experience any difficulty in completing Version A of Schedule M using the scenario?
What lines gave you difficulties?
Can you provide suggestions for improving the verbiage to make the Schedule easier to complete or easier to understand?
What do you think about the general look and layout of the Schedule M? Probe: Concerns and comments about print size, font type, layout, etc.
How easy is it to understand the language in Schedule M?
Probe – Is there any line or verbiage that is confusing.
What do you like most about Schedule M?
What do you like least about Schedule M?
Do you have any other suggestions for improving the Schedule M?
Please review the Schedule M for a few minutes. (Version B). Again, while you are completing the Schedule consider the look, layout, and language. We will discuss these items after you complete the scenario.
Please mark on the top of the schedule the time it takes you to complete the schedule.
Did you experience any difficulty in completing Version B of Schedule M using the scenario?
What lines gave you difficulties?
Can you provide suggestions for improving the verbiage to make the Schedule easier to complete or easier to understand?
What do you think about the general look and layout of the Schedule M?
Probe: Concerns and comments about print size, font type, layout, etc.
How easy is it to understand the language in Schedule M?
Probe – Is there any line or verbiage that is confusing.
What do you like most about Schedule M?
What do you like least about Schedule M?
What do you think about the Chart on Line 12?
Did the chart help you complete the Schedule?
Do you have any other suggestions for improving Schedule M?
Now that you have reviewed both versions of Schedule M and completed the scenarios, I will be passing out a piece of paper. Please mark the paper with what version of Schedule M you prefer. Once completed, the moderator will ask the participants to pass the paper to them.
Of those participants who preferred version A, please give me some reasons you preferred this version.
Of those participants who preferred version B, please give me some reasons you preferred this version.
Was version A or B easier to complete?
Was version A or B easier to understand?
Would you prefer Version A if it had the same Lines (1-11) as Version B but without the chart?
IV. False close
Explain that participants can discuss among themselves the answers while you check in with the observers to see if they have any addition questions they would like you to ask.
V. Closing
Thinking about our discussion tonight, is there anything else you would like to share regarding the forms and instructions we looked at today.
Thank you very much for coming this evening, and for sharing your ideas with us—we really appreciate your time.
Direct participants to area outside of the room to pick up their incentive.
| File Type | application/msword |
| File Title | TELEPHONE SCREENER |
| Author | Maria Alvarado |
| Last Modified By | xp1bb |
| File Modified | 2009-04-01 |
| File Created | 2009-04-01 |