OMB Memo

Generic Information Debriefing Request:
Debriefing Interview for the 2016 Business R&D and Innovation Survey

Request: The Census Bureau plans to conduct additional research under the generic clearance for questionnaire debriefing research (OMB number 0607-0725). The Census Bureau plans to conduct debriefing interviews for the 2016 Business R&D and Innovation Survey (Form BRDI-M).

Title 13 of the United States Code authorizes this survey and provides for mandatory responses. The BRDI-M is a pilot survey and is collected by the Census Bureau.

The Business R&D and Innovation Survey is conducted jointly by the U.S. Census Bureau and the National Science Foundation (NSF). A pilot expansion of the Business R&D and Innovation Survey was introduced for 2016. The goals of the pilot expansion are as follows:

* Collect national statistics on R&D expenditures and other related statistics for the smallest businesses in the U.S.

* Allow for a better understanding of the innovative activities conducted by the smallest businesses in the U.S. 

* Collect statistical data on U.S. competitiveness in science, engineering, and technology.

More information on the BRDI-M can be found at https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/brdis/about/brdi-m.html.

The BRDI-M was collected via a paper form, or a self-administered questionnaire using the Census Bureau’s online survey reporting system. Respondents were mailed a form and letter informing them of the requirement to complete the survey and providing them with access information.

Purpose: These debriefing interviews will be conducted to gain a better understanding of the companies within the survey and within specific industries. We will use the company’s answers to the questionnaire to frame our points of discussion. During these interviews, we will seek the following information:

• Understanding of specific questions and why respondents reported the way they did

• Understanding the record keeping process

• Assessing the respondent’s ability to answer specific questions

• Identifying difficulties in completing the questionnaire

Sample: We plan to conduct a total of 25 interviews. We plan to conduct interviews with a variety of sizes and types (i.e., industries) of businesses.

Recruitment: Participants will be recruited using a list of respondents from the 2016 BRDI-M. Before beginning the interviews, we will inform participants that their response is voluntary and that the information they provide is confidential under Title 13. The interviews may be recorded (with consent), to facilitate summarization.

Protocol: A copy of a draft interview protocol and a consent form are enclosed. Debriefing interviews will be conducted both in person and over the phone. We anticipate each session will take 60 minutes to complete.

Use of incentive: Monetary incentives for participation will not be offered.

Below is a list of materials to be used in the current study:

Attachment A: Draft protocol used to outline how the research study will be conducted

Attachment B: Consent form to obtain participant consent for participant and recording of the session

Length of interview: For debriefing interviews, we expect that each interview will last no more than 60 minutes (25 cases x 60 minutes per case = 25 hours). Additionally, to recruit respondents we expect to make up to 5 phone contacts per completed case. The recruiting calls are expected to last on average 3 minutes per call (5 attempts per phone call per completed case x 25 cases x 3 minutes per case = 6.25 hours). Thus, the estimated burden is 31.25 hours (25 hours for interviews + 6.25 hours for recruiting).

The contact person for questions regarding data collection and statistical aspects of the design of this research is listed below:

John Clark

Research, Development and Innovation Surveys Branch

U.S. Census Bureau

Washington, D.C. 20233

(301) 763-7803

[email protected]

cc.:

Nick Orsini (ADEP) with enclosures

Kevin Deardorf (ERD) with enclosures

Richard Hough (ERD) with enclosures

Michael Flaherty (ERD) with enclosures

Amy Newman Smith (ESMD) with enclosures

Jennifer Hunter Childs (ADRM) with enclosures

Jasmine Luck (ADRM) with enclosures

Danielle Norman (PCO) with enclosures

Mary Lenaiyasa (PCO) with enclosures