Supporting Statement-B

ECONOMIC RESEARCH SERVICE OMB CLEARANCE PACKAGE

SECTION B

for

GENERIC CLEARANCE TO CONDUCT ECONOMIC EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH FROM FY2012 THROUGH FY2014

Prepared by

Resource, Environmental, and Science Policy Branch

April 30, 2012

Supporting Statement – Part B

1. Describe (including a numerical estimate) the potential respondent universe and any sampling or other respondent selection method to be used. Data on the number of entities (e.g., establishments, State and local government units, households, or persons) in the universe covered by the collection and in the corresponding sample are to be provided in tabular form for the universe as a whole and for each of the strata in the proposed sample. Indicate expected response rates for the collection as a whole. If the collection has been conducted previously, include the actual response rate achieved during the last collection.

Generally, small purposive samples of respondents/participants will be recruited to volunteer in the projects. However, when a sampling plan is necessary, this plan will be described in the clearance request for each specific data collection.

2. Describe the procedures for the collection of information.

The techniques that ERS envisions using are widely accepted experimental economic methodologies, as described in Part A of this document. The particular technique (or techniques) chosen will depend on the objectives of the study under investigation.

3. Describe methods to maximize response rates and to deal with issues of non-response. The accuracy and reliability of information collected must be shown to be adequate for intended uses. For collections based on sampling a special justification must be provided for any collection that will not yield “reliable” data that can be generalized to the universe studied.

ERS will use convenience samples for the bulk of this research. Most testing will not incorporate any sampling methodology. Participants will be paid, which provides strong incentives to participate.

4. Describe any tests of procedures or methods to be undertaken.

ERS anticipates using small-scale tests of an experimental instrument prior to full-scale experiments in some cases. Respondent debriefing after pilot experiments or interviews ensure that individuals understood the instrument, which in turn ensures that resulting data collections are effective. These techniques are meant to reduce the total public burden of the information collection by ensuring that the large-scale information collection is optimized.

5. Provide the name and telephone number of individuals consulted on statistical aspects of the design and the name of the agency unit, contractor(s), grantee(s), or other person(s) who will actually collect and/or analyze the information for the agency.

ERS anticipates partnering with several university professors to conduct the experiments and to analyze information. The name and telephone numbers of these individuals will be provided in the clearance request for each specific data collection.

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