CPSaug08supp-OMB-B-08feb15_CORRECTION_6-3-08

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SUPPORTING STATEMENT

U.S. Department of Commerce

U.S. Census Bureau

Current Population Survey (CPS) Migration Supplement

OMB Control No. 0607-0710

B. COLLECTION OF INFORMATION EMPLOYING STATISTICAL METHODS

1. Universe and Respondent Selection

We will conduct the August 2008 Migration supplement in conjunction with the Current Population Survey (CPS), for which the universe is 116 million households. From this universe, we select a sample of approximately 72,000 households each month, of which approximately 59,000 households are eligible for interview. We actually interview about 55,000 households each month. We will ask the items in the Migration supplement, as appropriate, for members of these households. There are about 135,000 individuals in the sample households for whom questions may be asked, depending on their nativity and migration behavior.

The Migration supplement is mostly new but some questions are already on the CPS ASEC supplement. Therefore, we project the response rate to be similar to that of the ASEC supplement, which is 92%.

2. Procedures for Collecting Information

The Migration supplement is a supplemental survey associated with the CPS in August 2008. Attachment E gives an overview of the CPS sample design and 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

We maintain response rates and data accuracy for the CPS at high levels through interviewer instruction, self-study training, and follow-up of refusal interviews with more experienced senior interviewers. Additionally, we closely monitor data output. (Refer to Item 5 of Attachment E for a discussion of the CPS nonresponse.)

4. Testing of Procedures

Questionnaire design was conducted by the Population Division with input from several sources. First, we evaluated prior cognitive tests and content tests of citizenship and year of entry questions on the CPS and American Community Survey (ACS). We also consulted existing surveys and censuses for different approaches to addressing the topics of interest (see section A4 for more detail on that process). Some questions were taken exactly from existing surveys, some were modified versions of existing questions, and others are entirely new. A summary of the Migration supplement question text and sources is provided in Attachment A1. Experts have reviewed the instrument, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Race and Ethnicity Advisory Committee (REAC), and representatives of numerous organizations at the Expert Group Meeting on the Contribution of Household Surveys to Measuring Remittances on January 14-15, 2008. Consultations outside the Census Bureau are described more fully in section A8 above. Finally, the questionnaire design was revised and finalized with cognitive pre-testing of the instrument.

Cognitive pre-testing of the Migration supplement questions were conducted by the Census Bureau's Statistical Research Division (SRD) from August to November 2007. The detailed report is in Attachment A5, and the accompanying instruments are provided in Attachment A6. The goal of the cognitive interviewing was to test respondents' comprehension of the new questions, to test the flow of the different sections and the operational feasibility of the supplement, to find major recall difficulties, to ascertain the sensitivity or inappropriateness of the transfers questions, and to test if introductory statements reduced privacy concerns for the transfers questions. Interviews with 25 people were conducted in two rounds to allow for the testing of revised questions and flow. Respondents were recruited from a variety of places of birth, Armed Forces status, ages, and English language ability.

After Round 1 interviewing, the instrument was revised to simplify English terms, eliminate ambiguous concepts, and shorten questions without omitting related or definitional information. Respondents had very little difficulty with the revised instrument during Round 2 interviewing. Respondents understood the intent and meaning of the questions asked, while recall in answering the questions was generally not difficult or severe. Furthermore, SRD found the supplement operationally feasible to implement all proposed questions of the Migration supplement. Finally, the testing found that a majority of respondents did not express concern with the transfers sections, and introductory text affirming confidentiality and legitimizing the need for the data helped allay any concerns. Discussion of the privacy and sensitivity of the Migration supplement is discussed in section A11 above and in Attachment A5, the report on cognitive testing.

Instrument testing will be conducted by Census Bureau staff in the Population Division and in the Demographic Surveys Division (DSD). Additionally, the instrument will be tested in several hundred cases by field interviewers in an NPC telephone center and the output of this will be reviewed by DSD staff.

Population Division will conduct two post-collection analyses of data quality. We will solicit feedback and comments from the CAPI Field Representatives (FR) Sort team, a group of 4 cross-representative FRs from each of the 12 regional offices (RO). Before collection week, we plan to send several questions to the team, regarding privacy, language, recall, and other issues that may affect data quality. The FRs on the Sort team will then provide qualitative information on the operations with respect to the issues of concern.

Population Division will additionally conduct a post-collection evaluation by debriefing with 4 to 6 interviewers at specific telephone centers and regional offices in the week following collection. The sites have not yet been finalized, but they are likely to include the Tucson telephone center, where Spanish language interviews occur, and the Los Angeles and New York City ROs, which both cover areas with sizable foreign-born populations. A fourth site may be the Detroit RO, which covers an area with a large population of Arab ancestry.

5. Contacts for Statistical Aspects and Data Collection

The Census Bureau will collect and process the data. Within the Census Bureau, the following individuals may be contacted for further information on data collection, operations, and analysis:

Statistical Design

Samson Adeshiyan Chief, Current Population Surveys Branch

Demographic Statistical Methods Division

(301) 763-5930, (301) 763-5874

Data Content

Victoria Velkoff Assistant Division Chief, Estimates and Projections

Population Division

(301) 763-7070

Data Collection and Tabulation

Elizabeth Grieco Chief, Immigration Statistics Staff

Population Division

(301) 763-5275

Data Collection/Survey Design

Kathleen Creighton Assistant Division Chief, Continuing Surveys

Demographic Surveys Division

(301) 763‑3814

ATTACHMENTS

A1. Migration supplement question summary

A2. Migration supplement questionnaire

A3. Detailed notes on the Migration supplement

A4. Brief list of potential products from the Migration supplement

A5. Report on the Cognitive Pretest Study for the Current Population Survey's New Migration Supplement Questions, Revised Draft Jan 03, 2008

A6. Appendices- Cognitive testing instruments, Report on the Cognitive Pretest Study for the Current Population Survey's New Migration Supplement Questions

B1. Emigration and Americans Living Abroad supplement questionnaire, July 1987

B2. Emigration and Americans Living Abroad supplement questionnaire, June 1988

B3. Emigration and Americans Living Abroad supplement questionnaire, Nov 1989 and June 1991

C. CPS-263 (MIS-1) Advance Letter

D. BC-1428 Confidentiality Brochure

E. Overview of CPS Sample Design and Methodology

F. Public comment letter from The Brookings Institution, January 31, 2008