Supporting Statement Part B 1-2-2008

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

Part B

Questionnaire and Data Collection Testing, Evaluation, and Research for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

OMB Number 0935-0124

Version: January 2, 2008

Agency of Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)

Table of contents

B. Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods 3

1. Respondent universe and sampling methods 3

2. Information Collection Procedures 3

3. Methods to Maximize Response Rates 3

4. Tests of Procedures 3

5. Statistical Consultants 5

B. Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods

1. Respondent universe and sampling methods

The information gathered will be used mainly to employ new techniques to improve AHRQ’s current data collection and estimation procedures; to develop new collections and procedures; and, to revise existing collections and procedures. The studies will cover a broad range of topics designed to improve AHRQ’s data collection efforts. Small samples of respondents/participants will be selected and studies will be conducted. We anticipate that there will be a variety of evaluation-type techniques and survey methods and analyses used that will require different sampling strategies including representative or convenience sampling when addressing specific groups of persons or establishments and when studying qualitative topics (question analysis, term analysis, instruction analysis, etc.).

2. Information Collection Procedures

Participation will be fully voluntary and non-participation will have no affect on eligibility for, or receipt of, future AHRQ health services research. Specific testing and evaluation procedures, when used, will be described when we notify OMB as to actual

3. Methods to Maximize Response Rates

The design of testing and evaluation procedures will include approaches to maximize response rates and the quality of the collected information, while retaining the voluntary nature of the effort.

AHRQ has a demonstrated track record of focusing very hard on shortening its data collection and estimation procedures to keep respondent burden down and to reduce costs because private sector sponsors administer and pay for survey fielding for a number of AHRQ tools such as the CAHPS®.

4. Tests of Procedures

The purpose of this generic clearance is to develop and pretest data collection instruments and procedures. The methodologies that AHRQ will use to test these instruments and procedures include:

• Mail and email questionnaires

• Telephone interviews

• Web-based questionnaires/data collection

• Focus groups

• In-person interviews

• Automated data collection instruments

• Cognitive lab experiments

See Appendix B for examples of work previously conducted under this clearance.

5. Statistical Consultants

Each program will obtain input from statisticians as to the development, design, conduct, and analysis of the testing and evaluation methods planned for the data collections and estimation procedures. This statistical expertise will be available from AHRQ statisticians/contractors. Technical assistance in data collection and estimation procedures may, in some cases, be sought outside of AHRQ from experts in other Federal Agencies or outside the government.

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