EIA-882T_SSB_Final_06132025

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Part B: Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods
OMB No. 1905-0186

June 2025

Supporting Statement for Generic Clearance for Questionnaire Testing and Research

www.eia.gov

U.S. Department of Energy

Washington, DC 20585

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the statistical and analytical agency within the
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), prepared this report. By law, our data, analyses, and forecasts are independent of approval by any other officer or employee of the U.S. Government. The views in this report do not represent those of DOE or any other federal agencies.

Table of Contents

Part B: Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods

B.1. Respondent Universe 1

B.2. Statistical Methods 1

B.3. Maximizing Response Rates 1

B.4. Test Procedures and Form Consultations 1

B.5. Statistical Consultations 1

B.1. Respondent Universe

The universe for selecting participants for research is respondents to EIA surveys and users of EIA’s website. The information gathered will be used primarily for questionnaire development to collect information relevant to energy markets, reduce respondent confusion, improve the accuracy of information reported on survey instruments, and improve data collection processes. For the most part, the testing activities undertaken as part of this clearance will involve purposive samples with respondents selected either to cover a broad range of subgroups or to include specific characteristics related to the topic of the survey. A description of the plans for selecting respondents for each individual test will be provided to OMB at the time the testing clearance is submitted.

B.2. Statistical Methods

Data collection procedures for the testing conducted under this clearance will be varied and will most likely include personal visits, telephone contact, video conferencing, and web-based surveys. Staff members will conduct these activities or closely monitor contractor efforts covered by the clearance. More specific information about the data collection process will be contained in the description provided to OMB at the time the testing clearance is submitted. Specific estimation procedures, when used, will also be described when EIA notifies OMB as to actual studies conducted under this clearance.

B.3. Maximizing Response Rates

EIA uses software that provides invitees with the flexibility to schedule interviews at a time that is convenient for the participant. This facilitates participation and EIA is able to schedule interviews within 24 hours of sending out email invitations. In general, telephone callbacks and email reminders are used to maximize response rates in research. Reminder telephone calls and emails to respondents will also be used to encourage the respondents to keep their appointments.

B.4. Test Procedures and Form Consultations

This submission covers tests of data collection instruments and survey procedures. EIA expects that all tests conducted under this clearance will result in improved data quality, reduced or minimized respondent burden and confusion on what to report, increased agency efficiency in processing data by reducing the amount of edit failures, and improved responsiveness to the public.

B.5. Statistical Consultations

EIA's Survey Development and Administration Team in the Office of Statistical Methods and Research has primary responsibility for designing and conducting research to reduce response errors. For information concerning this request and the research tools, design and collection of data contact Kenneth Pick, Survey Development and Administration Team, 202-586-5562, email: [email protected].