CPS FS Memo

Memorandum

Subject: Request for a non-substantive change to update Spanish-language questionnaire for the Current Population Survey Food Security Supplement (OMB Control No. 0536-0043)

Date: June 7, 2022

From: Alisha Coleman-Jensen, Research Social Scientist, USDA Economic Research Service, via Edward Trevelyan Acting PRA Clearance Officer, USDA Economic Research Service

To: Anthony Nerino, Science and Statistical Policy, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget

The Current Population Survey Food Security Supplement (CPS-FSS) is conducted annually by the U.S. Census Bureau for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service (ERS). The survey is the primary data source for ERS’s annual report series, Household Food Security in the United States. CPS-FSS data are also used for research on food security measurement and to understand the determinants and outcomes of food security.

In 2013, a standardized Spanish translation of the CPS-FSS questionnaire was reviewed and approved by OMB for use by the Census Bureau for CPS-FSS interviews. That translation has been in use up to and including the December 2021 CPS-FSS data collection. In 2022, a modified English-language CPS-FSS questionnaire was proposed by ERS and approved by OMB to be implemented in the December 2022 CPS-FSS (see documentation available at: https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAViewICR?ref_nbr=202201-0536-005). The modifications to the English-language questionnaire necessitated modifications to the Spanish-language questionnaire as well.

ERS contracted with the U.S. Census Bureau to update the previous Spanish-language questionnaire to match the updated English-language questionnaire. This process required providing a Spanish translation for new survey items that were not included on prior questionnaires, revising the translation for items that were revised from the previous questionnaire, and making edits to the previous translation as necessary. The Census Bureau’s Decennial Translation Branch completed the updated translation of the CPS-FSS questionnaire.

The Decennial Translation Branch follows an industry-standard process for high-quality translations that involves three steps: translation, review, and quality assurance. A professional translator completes the first draft of a translation. Next, a second professional translator reviews the file, comparing the original text with the translation to validate accuracy, making edits as necessary. Finally, quality checks are completed to identify any potential issues with the translation as part of the quality assurance process. If a potential issue is noted, the translation is returned to the reviewer to decide if additional edits are required. If edits are necessary, the quality checks are completed again.

 

For this updated Spanish translation of the CPS-FSS, the initial translator both reviewed previously translated text and completed translation of new text. Then, the process proceeded as described above with the second translator reviewing all text before quality checks were completed. Edits made to the previously translated materials were done for the following reasons:

• Grammar/Punctuation - errors in grammar and punctuation were corrected when identified in the original translation.

• Spelling - spelling errors were corrected when identified in the original translation.

• Source Text and Translation Mismatch - when original translation did not accurately convey the English source text, the translation was edited to address this issue.

• Terminology - when a term in the original translation was not accurate or a common translation, this was corrected.

• Formatting - formatting inconsistencies identified between the English source text and the original translation were corrected.

• Consistency - when the same English source text was not translated consistently throughout the document, the original translation was edited for consistency.

The attached questionnaire shows the English-language version of each question with the Spanish-language version of each question shown in blue highlight. Updates from the previously approved 2021 questionnaires are highlighted in yellow.