Mini SSA Training Landscape

Mini Supporting Statement A For

“A Generic Submission for Formative Research, Pretesting, and Customer Satisfaction of NCI’s Communication and Education Resources”

OMB No. 0925-0046-08, Expiration Date 5/31/2016

Title of Sub-Project: Survey of the Training Landscape for Cancer Epidemiology

Contact Person: Sheri Schully, NCI

October 23, 2014

Sheri, Schully Ph.D.,

Epidemiology and Genomics Research Program

Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Attachments:

Attachment #1: Interview Guide

Attachment #2: Contact Roster

Attachment #3: Invitation Email

Attachment #4: Consent Form

Attachment #5: Follow-up Email

Section A.

A1. Circumstances Making the Collection of Information Necessary

Section 410 of the Public Health Service Act (42 USC § 285) authorizes the collection of the information. In 2014, the Epidemiology and Genomics Research Program and the Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics plans to survey the current landscape of pre-doctoral and post-doctoral training curricula for cancer epidemiologists, we developed a set a key questions centered on four broad components: (i) collaboration and team science; (ii) exposure and adoption of novel methods and technologies; (iii) multi-level approach to epidemiologic research and intervention (e.g., integration of biological, behavioral, group and macro-social factors); and (iv) application of knowledge integration methods and concepts (management, synthesis, and translation of scientific findings) to inform evidence-based recommendations/policies and to accelerate translation of etiologic findings into public health impact.

This fits under the scope of NCI’s Generic Submission for Formative Research, Pretesting and Customer Satisfaction to “determine the level of customer satisfaction with products that help NCI identify strategies for improving the accessibility of materials/programs, their user-friendliness, and their relevance to the needs of …health care professionals…. Systematic formative research and pretesting has been widely adopted by health education program planners as an integral step in the development and targeted dissemination of messages and materials” (0925-0046 Expiry 5/31/2016), Supporting Statement A, Section A.2, p. 5). Specifically, the in-depth interviews would contribute to the both Division’s communication strategy by, “understand the characteristics of the target audience…, determined the best promotion and distribution channels…, and expend limited program resource dollar wisely and effectively” (0925-0046 Expiry 5/31/2016, Supporting Statement A, Section A.2, p. 6).

A2. Purpose and Use of the Information Collection

The discipline of cancer epidemiology is changing in an era of rapid technological advancement and there is a need for cancer epidemiology to enhance its practice via cross-discipline collaboration to ensure scientific progress. The next generation of cancer epidemiologists need to be equipped with the skills to meet the challenges of the future. The information collected will give an overview of training for cancer epidemiologists. The data collected are needed to inform how the NCI formulates training in cancer epidemiology. Currently there is no published data on the types of training received by cancer epidemiologists and we know of no organized effort to obtain a snapshot of the current landscape for training cancer epidemiologists. Specifically, we will be collecting information on training with regards to four broad areas (Attachment 1):

1. Collaboration and team science in epidemiologic research

2. Integration of novel technologies

3. Translation of findings

4. Leadership training

The interviews will be administered to individuals who lead or direct the training of pre-doctoral and post-doctoral programs in the field of cancer epidemiology at leading universities and cancer centers. We have compiled a comprehensive list of academic institutions and cancer centers with training components in cancer epidemiology. Attachment 2 contains a roster of these identified individuals and associated institutions. An email invitation (Attachment 3) will be sent to key faculty members with description of the purpose of the project and an invitation to participate in the interviews. In the email invitation will be an electronic copy of the interview guide for preview (Attachment 1),the consent form (Attachment 4), and an offer to complete the interview via telephone conference. For non-respondents to the initial email invitation, we will send a follow-up email (Attachment 5) with the original email invitation along with the attachments to obtain consent for further contact.

A3. Use of Information Technology and Burden Reduction

Interviews will be conducted with customers over the telephone. This is the most efficient and effective method to collect information that is open-ended and will allow for prompts, should clarification to responses be needed.

A4. Efforts to Identify Duplication and Use of Similar Information

At the present time, there is no other organized effort that is examining cancer epidemiology training programs for pre-doctoral students and post-doctoral fellows.

A5. Impact on Small Businesses or Other Small Entities

No small businesses will be interviewed for this project.

A6. Consequences of Collecting the Information Less Frequently

This is a one-time collection of information.

A7. Special Circumstances Relating to the Guidelines of 5 CFR 1320.5

This information collection will be implemented in a manner that fully complies with the Guidelines of 5 CFR 1320.5.

A8. Comments in Response to Federal Register Notice and Efforts to Consult Outside Agency

We will not require consultations for the proposed project.

A9. Explanation of Any Payment or Gift to Respondents

No payments or gifts will be given to respondents.

A10. Assurance of Confidentiality Provided to Respondents

No personally identifiable information is being collected.

A11. Justification for Sensitive Questions

There are no sensitive questions being asked.

A12. Estimates of Hour Burden Including Annualized Hourly Costs

With 28 respondents being interviewed, the total estimated burden will be 31 hours. The consent form and interview guide will be sent to the respondents as attachments in the initial email invitation prior to the telephone interview. This will allow the respondents to preview the consent and interview questions prior to the actual interview. Upon agreement to participate, we will resend the consent form for signature. We have piloted the consent form and interview and have identified the time required to finish the consent (5 minutes) and interview (60 minutes). We anticipated that a second email contact will be needed for 14 respondents (50%, based on preliminary data) non-respondent to obtain consent.

Table A12-1. Estimates of Hour Burden

Category of Respondent	Instrument	No. of Respondents	Participation Time (in hours)	Total Burden Hours
Scientists	Informed Consent	28	5/60	3
	Interview Guide	28	1	28
Total				31

The mean hourly wage rate for scientists occupation code 19-1000 according to the May 2013 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates in the United States (http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm#19-0000) is $38.11.

With a total burden of 31 hours, this amounts to $1,181.41.

Table A12-2. Cost to Respondents:

Category of Respondent	Number of Respondents	Total Burden Hours	Wage Rate	Respondent Cost
Scientists	28	31	$38.11	$1,181.41

A13. Estimate of Other Total Annual Cost Burden to Respondents or Record Keepers

There are no capital costs, operating costs, or maintenance costs to report.

A14. Annualized Cost to the Federal Government

The annualized and total cost to the Federal Government of this assessment is estimated to cost $30,000 (Table A.14-1). The costs are primarily associated with the contractor. The cost of the Federal employee is $4,132 and for the contractors $1,667, with a grand total of $5,799.

Table A14-1 Annualized Cost to the Federal Government

Staffing	Task	Annualized Cost
NCI	Program Director, Grade 14, Step 6 ($123,970 at 10% time for 4 months)	$4,132
Fellow	Project Management Support which includes scheduling interviews and data analysis (10% time for 4 months)	$1,667
Total		$5,799

A15. Explanation for Program Changes or Adjustments

This is a generic sub-study.

A16. Plans for Tabulation and Publication and Project Time Schedule

Simple descriptive statistics will be employed for some of the questions. For the other questions, qualitative techniques will be used to analyze and identify common themes.

Interviews will occur over a two month period of time, then analysis and summaries will be conducted.

A17. Reason(s) Display of OMB Expiration Date Is Inappropriate

The OMB Clearance Number, Expiration Date, and Burden Disclosure Statements will be displayed on the applications.

A18. Exceptions to Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions

There are no exceptions to the Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions.

Short Title: Training of Cancer Epidemiologists 1 8/29/14