supporting statement b 2020_2018 renewal

Department of Commerce

United States Census Bureau

OMB Information Collection Request

Generic Clearance for Census Bureau Field Tests and Evaluations

OMB Control Number 0607-0971

Part B – Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods

Question 1. Universe and Respondent Selection

The data collected will be used for questionnaire and program evaluation activities rather than to produce estimates about populations. Some of the testing activities undertaken as part of this clearance will involve nonprobability with respondents who self-select to participate in the survey or test or are otherwise sampled by convenience. In other instances, a probability sample may be drawn that would permit statistical inferences between relevant demographic groups. A description of the plans for selecting respondents for each individual test will be provided to the Office of Management and Budget at the time the individual activity request is submitted.

Question 2. Procedures for Collecting Information

Data will be collected via the Internet, telephone, mail and in-person studies. Statistical results will include response rates, item nonresponse rates, frequency distributions of data items, and analysis of opinion data. Data collection conducted under this clearance could include experimental manipulation of respondent invitations, reminders, Web or mail surveys and/or telephone follow up. Data collection may employ telephone, mobile computing devices, such as tablets, smartphones, or laptops to capture the data collected. More specific information about data collection procedures will be contained in the description provided to OMB at the time the individual activity request is submitted.

Question 3. Methods to Maximize Response

In general, additional contacts will be used to maximize participation rates, usually by electronic or phone contact, but occasionally also by personal visit. More information that is specific to individual tests will be contained in the activity description provided to OMB at the time the activity request is submitted.

Question 4. Tests of Procedures or Methods

Generally, the data collection materials used for this testing will have been pretested according to the Census Bureau’s Pretesting Policy prior to fielding. This entire submission consists of testing and evaluating data collection strategies, instruments, devices, applications, and software. All of the studies conducted under this clearance continue to will inform the Census Bureau on methodology to improve production data collection activities, reduce costs, improve quality, and lead to reduced respondent burden.

Question 5. Contacts for Statistical Aspects and Data Collection

Jennifer Childs served as the general methodological consultant for this project. Additional advice on statistical aspects of each individual survey will be sought as the testing program proceeds. Depending on the nature of the research, staff from subject-matter divisions, operational divisions, and the research and methodology area will have primary responsibility for data collection and analysis. The specific research project will also determine whether the data will be collected by the Census Bureau or through a contractor. Jennifer Childs is the contact person for general questions about data collection and analysis. Other contact persons for questions regarding data collection and statistical aspects of the design will be provided to OMB at the time the questionnaires are submitted.

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