Sentinal Site Program SS 050214 Part B

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

A Formative Evaluation of NOAA's Sentinel Site Program

OMB CONTROL NO. 0648-xxxx

B. COLLECTIONS OF INFORMATION EMPLOYING STATISTICAL METHODS

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 governmental units, households, or persons) in the universe and the corresponding sample are to be provided in tabular form. The tabulation must also include expected response rates for the collection as a whole. If the collection has been conducted before, provide the actual response rate achieved.

The universe of respondents for this information collection is those who have participated in Sentinel Site Cooperative-sponsored outreach, and research and monitoring workshops. Because only a small number of workshops have taken place (five, to date), all participants will receive an invitation to complete the proposed survey. There are approximately 250 unduplicated participants that have participated in research and monitoring workshops. Workshop objectives for these workshops include:

• Summarize past and current research and monitoring efforts on effects of sea-level rise in Sentinel Site Cooperative geographies;

• Determine and prioritize gaps in research and monitoring that are needed to help stakeholders understand the ongoing and future potential impacts of sea-level rise;

• Provide a forum to forge or enhance partnerships.

These objectives were accomplished through presentations and facilitated discussions. Invitees included scientists and coastal managers involved in generating or applying research and monitoring data related to sea-level rise and inundation in target geographies.

Administration plans for the survey will follow steps outlined by Salant and Dillman (1994), including follow-up reminder communications to increase the response rate. Based on related past efforts and lessons learned, a response rate of 50% is expected for this survey.

Population	% of respondents	# of respondents
State Government	20	50
Non-profit/NGO	20	50
Private Sector	10	25
Academia	50	125

This survey will be distributed via email, and will inquire on degree of interaction and perceived utility of the Sentinel Site Program. The estimated time necessary for each respondent to complete the questionnaire is 20 minutes, based on trials with a small fewer than ten) pilot sample. Total estimated public burden associated with this information collection is 83 hours (250 respondents X 20 minutes). The computer program will keep track of the total number of successful responses.

2. Describe the procedures for the collection, including: the statistical methodology for stratification and sample selection; the estimation procedure; the degree of accuracy needed for the purpose described in the justification; any unusual problems requiring specialized sampling procedures; and any use of periodic (less frequent than annual) data collection cycles to reduce burden.

This will be a census of those who have participated in past Sentinel Site Cooperative-sponsored outreach, and research & monitoring workshops. All participants will receive an invitation to complete the proposed survey. There are approximately 250 unduplicated participants that have participated in research and monitoring workshops.

The survey will be created using SurveyMonkey and administered via an emailed link, which will direct past Sentinel Site Cooperative workshop participants to the SurveyMonkey website.

Completed surveys received via Survey Monkey will be downloaded to a password protected work space at the Coastal Services Center, accessible only by staff particular to this project.

3. Describe the methods used to maximize response rates and to deal with nonresponse. The accuracy and reliability of the information collected must be shown to be adequate for the intended uses. For collections based on sampling, a special justification must be provided if they will not yield "reliable" data that can be generalized to the universe studied.

The intent of this information collection is to assess Sentinel Site Cooperative partner feedback on the utility of the Program in order to inform improvements. In order to improve response rates for this information collection, the survey has been made as brief as possible. Nonresponse testing will be a challenge in that no identifying information will be collected, other than place of work, that will allow for follow-up activities, but comparisons between respondents and nonrespondents can be made to see if there are any clear differences associated with professional affiliation and duties (such differences are not expected, however). The intended approach will aid in working toward a representative sample of the respondent universe, since all past workshop participants will be solicited, and the information gained will be extremely valuable in making programmatic improvements.

4. Describe any tests of procedures or methods to be undertaken. Tests are encouraged as effective means to refine collections, but if ten or more test respondents are involved OMB must give prior approval.

Draft versions of this survey were circulated for review and comment to nine past workshop participants. Reviewers were asked to offer feedback on the length, appropriateness and clarity of questions, content, or other aspects to improve the questionnaire. Comments from reviewers were helpful and resulted in design, and content changes to clarify questions and simplify instructions.

5. Provide the name and telephone number of individuals consulted on the 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.

The implementation of the information collection and data analysis will be completed by Dr. Chris Ellis at the NOAA Coastal Services Center, available by telephone at (843) 740-1195 or by email at [email protected].