Justification for change

JUSTIFICATION FOR CHANGE

OMB CONTROL NO. 0648-0722

REGIONAL ECONOMIC DATA COLLECTION PROGRAM FOR SOUTHWEST ALASKA

We have reconsidered the internet-based response option for fishing vessel owners. In the approved ICR’s supporting statement, we stated we would make an internet-based response option available to mail-out survey recipients. Our original plan was to provide all mail-out survey recipients with the option to fill out and respond to the survey online.

However we have recently learned that setting up a secure, internet-based, survey response option is much more expensive than anticipated. In addition, recent studies indicate that an internet-based option does not significantly increase response rates when conducted as part of a mail-out survey of fishing vessel owners.

We have concluded that the likely very small, if any, increase in the response rate does not justify the added cost and complexity of providing an online response option. Therefore, we are requesting that the originally proposed internet-based response option not be a component of the Regional Economic Data Collection Program for Southwest Alaska. We will use only a mail survey with follow-up phone calls / interviews.

There is no change to burden or cost.