OMB Requested Expert Review

Attachment F

April 4, 2013

Memorandum for: Kyra Linse

Assistant Survey Director, Current Population Survey

Demographic Surveys Division

From: Terry DeMaio

Principal Researcher

Center for Survey Measurement

Subject: Expert Review of July 2013 CPS Computer & Internet Use Questionnaire

I think the questionnaire is in good shape. I just have a few comments.

NET2 - Do you want to include the new Microsoft Surface tablet computer?

NET3 - The wording of the end of this question is awkward. It could be simplified by saying: “People can connect to the Internet from home in multiple ways, including using mobile devices such as laptops or smartphones, or using desktop computers.

NET17a – I’m not sure what this question means. What is the difference between this and NET6a? Response categories are the same. If I don’t understand the difference, respondents may not either. Is there optional text you can include in the question to explain the difference (if in fact the difference is worth measuring)?

SCI16 –It looks like this question has switched from a single answer to a multiple answer request (i.e.., the word “main” has been deleted). But there is no “Mark all that apply” instruction and the question says “factor” rather than “factor(s).” What is the intent here?

PRSCRck – The word “however” seems too formal. I would revise to read “Previously you reported that someone in your household uses the Internet from home and now you are reporting that nobody uses the Internet from home.”

LIBR, COMM, CAFÉ, ELHS – The wording of these questions assumes that people go to these places for the purpose of using the Internet. Is that the intent? I don’t see this as a problem for LIBR and COMM, but it may result in overreporting especially in ELHS and to a lesser degree in CAFÉ. If that is not the intent, I would suggest revising the questions to be similar to WRKA: “Does Name1 use the Internet from a … (a library, a community center, an Internet café, someone else’s house). “ I worry that ELHS will result in overreports if you are trying to find out whether people go to someone else’s house for the express purpose of using the Internet because so many people bring their computers or phones everywhere and access the Internet from other people’s homes. .