Supplementary Supporting Statement for FSS Split Panel Test Part B

SUPPLEMENTAL SUPPORTING STATEMENT Part B

THE FOOD SECURITY SUPPLEMENT

TO THE CURRENT POPULATION SURVEY

Substantive Change

OMB Control Number 0536-0043

April 13, 2020

B. COLLECTION 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 government units, households, or persons) in the universe covered by the collection and in the corresponding sample are to be provided in tabular form for the universe as a whole and for each of the strata in the proposed sample. Indicate expected response rates for the collection as a whole. If the collection has been conducted previously, include the actual response rate achieved during the last collection.

All sampling methods remain the same as previously approved. Two changes are proposed from the original approval regarding the sample: the month of data collection and the number of households sampled. Pending approval, the one-time split panel test data will be collected in September 2020 as a supplement to the Current Population Survey (CPS). The regular annual Food Security Supplement (FSS) has been conducted in December since 2001 as a supplement to the CPS. This change has no impact on sampling method. Only three-quarters of the regular CPS sample will be included (months-in-sample 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8) in this one-time split panel test data collection. One-quarter of the September CPS sample will be excluded (months-in-sample 1 and 5) from the split panel test because they will be surveyed for the December 2020 CPS-FSS. Excluding these months-in-sample groups will reduce burden and prevent redundancy. The eight months-in-sample groups are eight representative subsamples of the full CPS sample. Therefore, the split panel test will remain representative as it will include six complete months-in-sample groups which comprise six representative subsamples. All other sampling information remains the same from the original approval.

2. Describe the procedures for the collection of information including:

• Statistical methodology for stratification and sample selection,

• Estimation procedure,

• Degree of accuracy needed for the purpose described in the justification,

• Unusual problems requiring specialized sampling procedures

There are no changes to the procedures used for data collection from the original approval. Regarding the degree of accuracy needed for the test as described in the justification: As described in Part A, the split panel test will be used to assess whether revised survey items and reorganization of the survey are functioning well. The sample will be randomly divided into two halves. Half the sample will be given the test instrument and half will be given the original instrument. One way to test differences between the test and original instrument is to compare differences between the instruments in the percentage of households affirming individual items. The Census Bureau has estimated that using a three-quarter sample of the CPS, the minimum difference between the two instruments that will be detected at a 90% confidence level will be between 2 and 3 percentage points depending on the survey item with the split panel test. This minimum difference is adequate at the item level. The key outcome measure—food security—is a scale that combines responses from 10 items (households without children) or 18 items (households with children). Analysis of the test and original instrument for the food security measure will rely on the Rasch measurement model. The sample size will be adequate for these analyses. A smaller sample size would result in larger error that would be less accurate at detecting differences between the test instrument and original instrument.

3. Describe methods to maximize response rates and to deal with issues of non-response. The accuracy and reliability of information collected must be shown to be adequate for intended uses. For collections based on sampling, a special justification must be provided for any collection that will not yield “reliable” data that can be generalized to the universe studied.

There are no changes from the original approval.

4. Describe any tests of procedures or methods to be undertaken.

The U.S. Census Bureau has already conducted cognitive testing on the revised survey instrument (Attachment D). The findings and recommendations from the cognitive testing have been incorporated into the test instrument (Attachment A). This proposed modification is for approval to test the survey instrument in the CPS before the revised instrument is used for regular monitoring of food security. This test data collection and resulting analysis will inform ERS’s planning for future regular data collections. Any revisions to our regular data collection that we propose as a result of this test will be included for approval with our regular Information Collection Request package to be submitted in late 2021.

5. Provide the name and telephone number of individuals consulted on 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 following individuals may be consulted concerning the statistical data collection and analysis operations:

Statistical Design:

David Hornick

Demographic Statistics Methods Division

U.S. Census Bureau

(301) 763-4183

Data Collection/ Survey Design:

Lisa A. Clement

Demographic Surveys Division

U.S. Census Bureau

(301) 763-5482

Analysis of Food Security Data:

Alisha Coleman-Jensen

Food Assistance Branch

Economic Research Service, USDA

(202) 694-5456

Attachments:

1. Proposed Food Security Supplement Test Questionnaire

2. Copy of Federal Register Notice regarding this collection

C-1. Rifkin Comment Received in Response to Federal Register Notice

C-2. Rep. DeLauro Comment Received in Response to Federal Register Notice

4. Cognitive Testing Findings and Recommendations