Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll Plan

The Census Bureau plans to conduct additional research under the generic clearance for questionnaire pretesting research (OMB number 0607-0725). We will be conducting cognitive interviews for the Annual Survey of Public Employment and Payroll (ASPEP). This survey is conducted annually and provides data on government employment and payrolls. The data from the survey is used by economists at the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) in two ways for developing the National Income and Product Accounts. First, the employment data are used in developing price deflators for the government sector components of the gross domestic product accounts. Second, the employment and payroll data are used in developing the government sector components for the national and sub-national personal income accounts and tables.

In January of 2010, an expert review was conducted by the Response Improvement Research Staff on the ASPEP forms. The review determined that the forms were not meeting the U.S. Census Bureaus Economic Directorate’s questionnaire guidelines. As a result, the forms are being reformatted to better adhere to these questionnaire guidelines. This cognitive testing will focus on these revised forms. Specifically, cognitive testing is being conducted to determine if

a) updated wording and the arrangement of specific questions lead to increased data quality,

b) whether or not the requested information is available in respondent’s records, and c) if there are issues with comprehending the terminology used on the questionnaire.

From December 2010 through June 2011, staff from the Response Improvement Research Staff will conduct cognitive interviews with approximately 35 local governments. Local governments will be recruited in the Washington, DC metropolitan area as well as other areas nationwide that are yet to be determined. Sample cases will include a mix of large and small local governments with different organizational structures. Each type of government has a different questionnaire, so three questionnaires and three protocols are enclosed. Interviews will take place at the respondents’ sites. Subject area specialists from the Census Bureau will accompany the researcher on most, if not all, of the interviews. They will assist with respondent debriefing, especially in cases where additional clarification of the subject matter is required.

After participants are recruited, they will receive follow-up reminders about their appointments. Participants will be informed that their response is voluntary and that the information they provide is confidential and will be seen only by employees involved in the research project. Interviews will be audio-recorded, with the participants’ permission, to aid researchers in accurately reporting findings and recommendations. We will not be providing monetary incentives to participants in the study.

We estimate that it will be necessary to interview only one respondent at each government agency. We estimate the length of the interview will average 1 hour. Thus, the maximum estimated burden for this research is 35 hours.

The contact person for questions regarding data collection and statistical aspects of the design of the research is:

Kenneth M. Pick

Response Improvement Research Staff (RIRS)

Office of Economic Planning & Innovation

U.S. Census Bureau

4600 Silver Hill Road, Room 7K132E

Washington, D.C. 20233

(301) 763-4042

[email protected]