From December 2009 through April 2010, the Census Bureau contracted the Gallup Organization to conduct a nightly poll of the public's opinion toward the 2010 Census, public awareness of Census promotional efforts, and intent to mail back their Census forms. This nationally representative, probability-based, sample of 200 respondents per night was sampled from random digit dialing (RDD) and cell frames, The estimates which were based on aggregating these data over week-long time periods, provided nearly immediate feedback on public reaction to national events that could possibly influence response to the 2010 Census.
The Census Bureau used this feedback to make communication campaign decisions during data collection that contributed to achieving a mail-back participation rate of 74%, despite increased vacancy rates due to the economic downturn, increased public skepticism about the role of the Federal Government, and a general decline in survey response rates during the decade that crossed both public and private sector surveys.
From February 2012 through March 2014, the Gallup Organization incorporated the Federal Statistical System (FSS) Public Opinion questions into an ongoing Gallup Daily Tracking Survey, under a contract with the U.S. Census Bureau. The mission critical objective was to track public opinion toward statistics produced by the Federal Government. During this time, we saw a relatively stable level of trust in Federal statistics until several events became headlines in the news, including scandals involving the IRS and NSA and then the Government shutdown of 2013. As these events progressed, we saw a downturn in trust in Federal statistics, which also happened to correlate with a decrease in response rates to several Census Bureau surveys. It would be useful to collect additional data to further explore these relationships. To date, the data have been gathered nightly from small (n=200) independent cross-sectional samples of individuals participating in a general multi-topic Random Digit Dial (RDD) telephone survey. We collected 200 cases per night, leading up to 1,400 cases per week and 6,000 cases per month, etc. The nightly sample data was aggregated over weeks or months to examine trends in attitudes towards the FSS. The cross-sectional design offered the opportunity to examine large marginal shifts in attitudes on a daily basis. The cross-sectional design precluded examination of small daily marginal changes in attitudes, as well as any change at the individual level. Because we did not specifically ask about potentially-influential events, the design also limited our ability to relate very specific events in the news, such as the IRS and NSA stories, to shifts in opinion toward Federal statistics.
The objective of the planned study is to conduct a nationally representative sample survey of public opinion, primarily on attitudes toward the FSS and the use of Federal statistics. The collected data will be used to track changes in attitudes towards the FSS and in data use. The data will also enable the Census Bureau to assess how news events related to the statistical system or government and public perceptions of these events affects usage of and attitudes towards Federal statistics. The methodology for the planned survey is very similar to the recently-conducted FSS Public Opinion Survey (described above), however with a smaller weekly sample with additional questions that will allow us to examine possible predictors of change over time. The smaller sample size makes this data collection cheaper, and thus possible to continue this survey for a longer period of time.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Form FSS POS Federal Statistical System Public Opinion Survey
Gallup_Rotating_Sets_Questionnaire_March_24_2016.xlsx
Justification_for_Nonsub_change_3_24_16.docx
Federal Statistical System Public Opinion Survey