IMLS Generic Clearance To Conduct Pre-Testing of Surveys
No material or nonsubstantive change to a currently approved collection
No
Regular
Approved without change
11/25/2022
11/07/2022
table that charts list comparision
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
04/30/2024
04/30/2024
04/30/2024
9,650
0
650
18,650
0
650
560,175
0
18,915
This is a request for a new generic clearance for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) that will allow IMLS to develop, test, and improve its surveys and methodologies. The procedures utilized to this effect include but are not limited to tests of various types of survey operations, focus groups, cognitive laboratory activities, pilot testing, exploratory interviews, experiments with questionnaire design, and usability testing of electronic data collection instruments.
This generic testing clearance is a helpful vehicle for evaluating questionnaires and various data collection procedures. It will allow IMLS to take advantage of a variety of methods to identify questionnaire and procedural problems, suggest solutions, and measure the relative effectiveness of alternative solutions. Through the use of these techniques IMLS would strive to simplify questionnaires for respondents, reduce respondent burden, and increase the quality of the questionnaires used in continuing surveys. Thus, with the potential to increase respondent comprehension of questions and use of data collection tools, an increase in the quality of the data collected through these surveys would be achieved as well.
During the three-year generic clearance and depending on the methodological need, IMLS may administer various methodological testing activities, which may include cognitive testing of new questionnaire items or instruments, field tests including split sample questionnaire experiments in multiple panels, and usability testing of electronic data collection instruments. The focus of these activities will include testing of items and research about one-off/topical surveys, as well as other methodologies of questionnaires.
IMLS will rely on the following authorizing statute for data collections submitted under this generic clearance with each generic Information Collection (IC) submission to OMB:
⢠Section 9108 of the Museum and Library Services Act of 2018 provides general legislative authority for the planned data collection. This section authorizes policy research, data collection, analysis and modeling, evaluation, and dissemination of information. 20 U.S.C. § 9108.
The specific methods proposed for coverage by this clearance are described in Part B.
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.
IMLS_Justification for Nonsubstantive Changes 3137-0125_20221107.docx
PRA Burden Estimate Pre-testing of Surveys.xlsx
Cognitive Testing for FY 2025/26 Public Libraries Survey