SUPPORTING STATEMENT
A. JUSTIFICATION
Necessity of the Information
The purpose of this request for review is to allow the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to facilitate and expedite the granting of access to qualified researchers under BLS data sharing programs. An important aspect of the mission of the BLS is to disseminate to the public the maximum amount of information possible. Not all data are publicly available because of the importance of maintaining the confidentiality of BLS data. However, the BLS has opportunities available on a limited basis for eligible researchers to access confidential data for purposes of conducting valid statistical analyses that further the mission of the BLS as permitted in the Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act of 2002 (CIPSEA).
The BLS makes confidential data available to eligible researchers through three major programs:
1. The Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), as part of the BLS occupational safety and health statistics program, compiles a count of all fatal work injuries occurring in the U.S. in each calendar year. Multiple sources are used in order to provide as complete and accurate information concerning workplace fatalities as possible. A research file containing CFOI data is made available offsite to eligible researchers.
2. The National Longitudinal Surveys of Youth (NLSY) is designed to document the transition from school to work and into adulthood. The NLSY collects extensive information about youths' labor market behavior and educational experiences over time. The NLSY includes three different cohorts: the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 (NLSY79), the NLSY79 Young Adult Survey, and the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 (NLSY97). NLSY data beyond the public use data are made available in greater detail through an offsite program to eligible researchers.
3. Additionally, the BLS makes available data from several employment, compensation, prices, and working conditions surveys to eligible researchers for onsite use. Researchers can access these data in researcher rooms at the BLS national office in Washington, D.C.
Purpose of the Information Collection
In order to provide access to confidential data, the BLS must determine that the researcher’s project will be exclusively statistical in nature and that the researcher is eligible based on guidelines set out in CIPSEA, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) implementation guidance on CIPSEA, and BLS policy. This information collection provides the vehicle through which the BLS will obtain the necessary details to ensure all researchers and projects comply with appropriate laws and policies.
Use of Improved Technology
Applicants have the option of submitting their applications by email.
Efforts to Identify Duplication
The information collected will not duplicate any existing information being collected by the BLS.
Minimizing Small Employer Burden
The information is collected from individuals; no small businesses or other small entities are involved.
Consequences of Less Frequent Collection
Each individual project must be granted access separately due to the singular uniqueness of each research proposal, the BLS responsibility to determine the statistical nature of each proposed project, and the need to determine the eligibility of each researcher attempting to access confidential data.
Special Circumstances
There are no special circumstances. The data are collected in a manner that is consistent with the guidelines in 5 CFR 1320.5.
Federal Register and Consultation Outside the BLS
No comments were received as a result of the Federal Register notice published in 74 FR 28552 on June 16, 2009.
Payment to Respondents
No payments or gifts are provided to respondents.
Assurance of Confidentiality
Each application will include the following Privacy Act Statement:
The information you provide will be used by staff at the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine your eligibility for access to confidential BLS data and for other administrative purposes. Providing the information on this form is voluntary; however, the BLS will not be able to grant access to confidential BLS data without this information. The BLS is authorized to request the information on this form under Title 5, United States Code, Section 301. We estimate that it will take an average of [insert time or range of minutes] minutes to complete this form. If you have any comments regarding this estimate or any other aspect of the form, including suggestions for reducing the time needed to respond, send them to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Division of Management Systems, 2 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E., Room 4080, Washington, DC 20212. You are not required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.
Justification for Sensitive Questions
There are no sensitive questions.
Estimate of Respondent Burden
NLSY:
Number of respondents: 105
Response time: 30 minutes
Burden Hours: 53
CFOI:
Number of respondents: 7
Response time: 35 minutes
Burden Hours: 4
Burden estimates for NLSY and CFOI include only the time to complete the application. It does not include the time for the development of the research proposal.
Onsite Researcher:
Number of Respondents: 25
Response time: 20 hours
Burden Hours: 500
Onsite Researcher burden hours include the time to write the research proposal, as a paper explaining the proposed research is required.
Total Burden Hours: 557
Estimate of Cost Burden
Capital start-up costs: $0
Total operation and maintenance and purchase of services: $0
There are no costs to the potential applicants other than the time it takes to complete the applications. Applicants complete the forms based on personal knowledge and experience, which requires no record-keeping or other expenses.
Cost to the Federal Government
The total estimated cost to the Federal government is $14,000.
Changes in Respondent Data
None. This is a new collection of information.
Plans for Publication
The information collected will not be for public use, but rather to ensure that only eligible researchers, using the data for an exclusively statistical purpose under CIPSEA, may access certain confidential datasets as outlined in item 2.
Request to Not Display Expiration Date
The BLS is not seeking approval to avoid displaying the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection.
Exceptions to the Certification
There are no exceptions to the certification.
| File Type | application/msword |
| File Title | The purpose of this request for review is for the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to obtain clearance to collect the informatio |
| Author | glennon_b |
| Last Modified By | Nora Kincaid |
| File Modified | 2009-08-24 |
| File Created | 2009-02-10 |