Memo

The Census Bureau plans to conduct additional research under the generic clearance for
questionnaire pretesting research (OMB number 0607-0725). We will be conducting focus
groups to aid in the preparation of data collection instruments for the 2017 Puerto Rico Census
Test. As a part of this submission, we are seeking approval for focus groups conducted by RTI,
International contractor staff.
Collecting accurate address information is a critical part of the 2017 Puerto Rico Census Test.
The Census Bureau needs to collect Puerto Rican addresses in way that the data can be processed
and geocoded, but also in a way that respondents are easily able to provide the information.
Focus groups will allow us to present address data collection options to respondents in Puerto
Rico and get feedback on how well they understand on providing the information. The
information learned through these focus groups will inform the design of the address collection
for the data collection modes for the 2017 Puerto Rico Census Test.
Six focus groups will be conducted in Puerto Rico between May 1 and May 31, 2016.
Recruiting will start April 15, 2016. Focus groups will be conducted in Spanish in collaboration
with RTI International. Each focus group will be 2 hours with approximately 10-12, but no more
than 15 participants each.
Participants will be recruited from the general public from a variety of address types in Puerto
Rico, including urban and rural locations. Participants will be recruited using a combination of
word-of-mouth, flyers, online, and paper advertisements.
During the focus groups, participants will be presented with a variety of templates that could be
used to collect address information and will be asked to provide feedback.
Due to the length of the focus groups and the necessity to travel to test locations, we plan to
compensate respondents $75 for 120 minutes of their time.
Below is a list of materials to be used in the current study. Included is a note on whether each
attachment is new or has already been approved by OMB.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Moderator’s Guide used for the study (Enclosure 1)
Prototype Internet instrument address collection screens (Enclosure 2)
Prototype paper questionnaire address collection format (Enclosure 3)
Recruitment plan and screener questionnaire (Enclosure 4)
Consent form (Enclosure 5)

RTI expects to screen up to 180 respondents to have up to 90 participants. Screening takes
approximately 6 minutes per case. Thus the maximum burden for the 6 focus groups is 198
hours total, 180 hours for the focus groups and 18 hours for recruiting.
The contact person for questions regarding data collection and statistical aspects of the design of
this research is listed below:
Gianna Dusch
Decennial Census Management Division
U.S. Census Bureau
Washington, D.C. 20233
(301) 763-5432
[email protected]