80 FR 36316 - Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 121 (June 24, 2015)

Page Range		36316-36317
FR Document		2015-15532
Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 121 (Wednesday, June 24, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 121 (Wednesday, June 24, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36316-36317]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-15532]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

    The Department of Commerce will submit to the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for collection of 
information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 
U.S.C. chapter 35).
    Agency: U.S. Census Bureau.
    Title: American Community Survey (ACS) Methods Panel Tests.
    OMB Control Number: 0607-0936.
    Form Number(s): ACS-1, ACS-1(SP), ACS-1PR, ACS-1PR(SP), ACS 
CATI(HU), ACS CAPI(HU), ACS (Internet), ACS-1(GQ), ACS-1(GQ)(PR)
    Type of Request: Regular Submission.
    Number of Respondents: 636,000.
    Average Hours per Response: 36 minutes.
    Burden Hours: 388,167.
    Needs and Uses:
    The U.S. Census Bureau requests authorization from the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for the American Community Survey (ACS) 
Methods Panel.
    The ACS samples about 3.5 million housing unit addresses in the 
United States and 36,000 in Puerto Rico each year to collect detailed 
socioeconomic data. The ACS also samples about 195,000 residents living 
in Group Quarter (GQ) facilities to collect detailed socioeconomic 
data. Resulting tabulations from that data collection are provided on a 
yearly basis. The ACS allows the Census Bureau to provide timely and 
relevant housing and socio-economic statistics, even for low levels of 
geography.
    An ongoing data collection effort with an annual sample of this 
magnitude requires that the ACS continue research, testing, and 
evaluations aimed at improving data quality, achieving survey cost 
efficiencies, and improving ACS questionnaire content and related data 
collection materials. The ACS Methods Panel is a research program

[[Page 36317]]

that is designed to address and respond to emerging issues and survey 
needs. Over the next three years, the Methods Panel may include testing 
methods for increasing survey efficiencies, reducing survey cost, 
lessening respondent burden, and improving response rates. Testing may 
also include methods to improve data quality.
    At this time, plans are in place to propose several tests: A summer 
2015 mail messaging test, a fall 2015 mail messaging test, a 2016 ACS 
Content Test, a 2016 mail messaging test, a 2017 self-response test 
with the potential to test both mail messaging as well as questionnaire 
content, a 2018 self-response test building on the previous tests, as 
well as tests of Internet data collection enhancements in 2017 and 
2018. Since the ACS Methods Panel is designed to address emerging 
issues, we may conduct additional testing as needed. Any additional 
testing would focus on methods for reducing data collection costs, 
improving data quality, revising content, or testing new questions that 
have an urgent need to be included on the ACS. Please note that this 
proposal includes summer and fall 2015 mail messaging tests, which were 
not included in the pre-submission notice.
    First, in response to respondent concerns about prominent 
references to the mandatory participation in the ACS, the Census Bureau 
plans to test methods to soften the mandatory messages while 
emphasizing the benefits of participation in the survey. In May of 
2015, the Census Bureau is conducting a test to study the impact of 
removing the phrase, ``YOUR RESPONSE IS REQUIRED BY LAW'' from the 
envelopes used in the second and fourth mailing to respondents. The 
summer 2015 test will advance the study of mandatory messaging by 
modifying the messages included in several of the mailings, including 
postcards and letters.
    Second, in response to declining response rates and increasing 
costs, the Census Bureau plans to analyze methods to increase self-
response, the least expensive mode of data collection, especially 
Internet response. The tests would include changes to messages included 
in mail materials to motivate the public to respond to the ACS, 
increase awareness of the ACS, as well as changes to design elements of 
the materials, including color and graphics. Tests would be conducted 
in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 building on previous tests' findings.
    Additionally, as part of the mail messaging tests in 2017 and 2018, 
the Census Bureau may include content changes based on continued review 
of the ACS content in an effort to address respondent concerns and 
potentially reduce respondent burden. Among other activities, the 
Census Bureau is reviewing questions to determine if we can revise the 
wording in a way to make them less burdensome for survey respondents, 
especially for questions determined during the 2014 ACS Content Review 
to be especially sensitive, difficult, or time-consuming. Proposed 
changes to content would be cognitively tested and then included in a 
field test to assess the impact on both respondent burden and data 
quality.
    Third, in response to Federal agencies' requests for new and 
revised ACS questions, the Census Bureau plans to conduct the 2016 ACS 
Content Test. Changes to the current ACS content and the addition of 
new content were identified through the OMB Interagency Committee for 
the ACS, and must be approved for testing by the OMB. The objective of 
the 2016 ACS Content Test is to determine the impact of changing 
question wording, response categories, and redefinition of underlying 
constructs on the quality of the data collected. Revisions to twelve 
questions/topics are proposed for inclusion in the 2016 ACS Content 
Test:

* Telephone Service
* Computer and Internet
* Relationship
* Race and Hispanic Origin
* Health Insurance
* Health Insurance Premium and Subsidies (new questions)
* Journey to Work: Commuting Mode
* Journey to Work: Time Left for Work
* Number of Weeks Worked
* Class of Worker
* Industry and Occupation
* Retirement Income

    The Census Bureau proposes to evaluate changes to the questions by 
comparing the revised questions to the current ACS questions, or for 
new questions, to compare the performance of question versions to each 
other as well as to other well-known sources of such information.
    Fourth, the ACS began collecting data using the Internet in January 
2013. To date, the Web site used to collect the data is designed for a 
desktop computer screen. The Internet tests being proposed in 2017 and 
2018 would evaluate Internet data collection via mobile devices, 
examine ways to reduce Internet break-offs, email testing, as well as 
other improvements to Internet data collection.
    Finally, we will continue to examine the operational issues, 
research the data quality, collect cost information and make 
recommendations in the future for this annual data collection. The ACS 
Methods Panel testing, such as the 2015 Mail Messaging Tests, 2016 
Content Test, 2016 Mail Messaging Test, 2017 Self-Response Test, and 
2018 Self-Response Test, provide a mechanism to investigate ways to 
reduce or at least maintain data collection costs and improve the 
quality of the data.
    Affected Public: Individuals or Households.
    Frequency: Multiple one-time tests over a 3-year period.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: Title 13, United States Code, sections 141 and 
193.
    This information collection request may be viewed at 
www.reginfo.gov. Follow the instructions to view Department of Commerce 
collections currently under review by OMB.
    Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information 
collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice 
to OIRA_Submission@omb.eop.gov or fax to (202) 395-5806.

Sheleen Dumas,
Departmental PRA Lead, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2015-15532 Filed 6-23-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P
36316

Notices Federal Register
Vol. 80, No. 121

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER potential persons who are to respond to Total Burden Hours: 42,552.
contains documents other than rules or the collection of information that such
proposed rules that are applicable to the Charlene Parker,
persons are not required to respond to
public. Notices of hearings and investigations, Departmental Information Collection
the collection of information unless it Clearance Officer.
committee meetings, agency decisions and
rulings, delegations of authority, filing of displays a currently valid OMB control [FR Doc. 2015–15434 Filed 6–23–15; 8:45 am]
petitions and applications and agency number.
BILLING CODE 3410–20–P
statements of organization and functions are
examples of documents appearing in this
National Agricultural Statistics Service
section. Title: Census of Agriculture Content DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Test.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE OMB Control Number: 0535–0243. Submission for OMB Review;
Comment Request
Summary of Collection: The purpose
Submission for OMB Review; of the content test is to evaluate factors The Department of Commerce will
Comment Request submit to the Office of Management and
impacting the National Agricultural
June 18, 2015. Statistics Service (NASS) Census of Budget (OMB) for clearance the
The Department of Agriculture has Agriculture program. The factors following proposal for collection of
submitted the following information include, but are not limited to, information under the provisions of the
collection requirement(s) to OMB for respondent burden, questionnaire Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C.
review and clearance under the format and design, Internet instrument chapter 35).
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, performance, new items, changes in Agency: U.S. Census Bureau.
Public Law 104–13. Comments question wording and location, ease of Title: American Community Survey
regarding (a) whether the collection of (ACS) Methods Panel Tests.
completion, and processing
information is necessary for the proper OMB Control Number: 0607–0936.
methodology such as edit and summary.
performance of the functions of the Form Number(s): ACS–1, ACS–1(SP),
The proposed forms and letters will be ACS–1PR, ACS–1PR(SP), ACS
agency, including whether the used in a test in 2015–2016 in
information will have practical utility; CATI(HU), ACS CAPI(HU), ACS
preparation for taking the 2017 Census (Internet), ACS–1(GQ), ACS–1(GQ)(PR)
(b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate
of Agriculture. NASS is responsible for Type of Request: Regular Submission.
of burden including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used; (c) conducting the Census of Agriculture Number of Respondents: 636,000.
ways to enhance the quality, utility and under the authority of the Census of Average Hours per Response: 36
clarity of the information to be Agriculture Act of 1997, Public Law minutes.
collected; (d) ways to minimize the 105–113 (U.S.C. 2204g). Burden Hours: 388,167.
burden of the collection of information This is a reinstatement of the Census Needs and Uses:
on those who are to respond, including of Agriculture Content Test, which is The U.S. Census Bureau requests
through the use of appropriate conducted every five years prior to the authorization from the Office of
automated, electronic, mechanical or full Census of Agriculture. The last Management and Budget (OMB) for the
other technological collection content test was done in 2010 in American Community Survey (ACS)
techniques or other forms of information preparation for the 2012 Census of Methods Panel.
technology. The ACS samples about 3.5 million
Agriculture.
Comments regarding this information housing unit addresses in the United
collection received by July 24, 2015 will Need and Use of the Information: The States and 36,000 in Puerto Rico each
be considered. Written comments Census of Agriculture Content Test is year to collect detailed socioeconomic
should be addressed to: Desk Officer for designed to evaluate a number of factors data. The ACS also samples about
Agriculture, Office of Information and affecting the Census of Agriculture 195,000 residents living in Group
Regulatory Affairs, Office of program. It is critical to NASS’ ability to Quarter (GQ) facilities to collect detailed
Management and Budget (OMB), New design a successful census survey. The socioeconomic data. Resulting
Executive Office Building, 725—17th actual Census of Agriculture is required tabulations from that data collection are
Street NW., Washington, DC, 20503. by law every five years and serves as the provided on a yearly basis. The ACS
Commenters are encouraged to submit basis for many agriculturally-based allows the Census Bureau to provide
their comments to OMB via email to: decisions. Less frequent content test timely and relevant housing and socio-
OIRA_Submission@omb.eop.gov or fax collections would hinder NASS’ ability economic statistics, even for low levels
(202) 395–5806 and to Departmental to adequately evaluate changes needed of geography.
Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail to improve census data collection and An ongoing data collection effort with
Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250– therefore recognize changing trends in an annual sample of this magnitude
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

7602. Copies of the submission(s) may agriculture. requires that the ACS continue research,
be obtained by calling (202) 720–8681. testing, and evaluations aimed at
An agency may not conduct or Description of Respondents: Farms. improving data quality, achieving
sponsor a collection of information Number of Respondents: 65,400. survey cost efficiencies, and improving
unless the collection of information Frequency of Responses: Reporting: ACS questionnaire content and related
displays a currently valid OMB control Other (every 5 years). data collection materials. The ACS
number and the agency informs Methods Panel is a research program

VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:43 Jun 23, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\24JNN1.SGM 24JNN1
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 121 / Wednesday, June 24, 2015 / Notices 36317

that is designed to address and respond changes based on continued review of make recommendations in the future for
to emerging issues and survey needs. the ACS content in an effort to address this annual data collection. The ACS
Over the next three years, the Methods respondent concerns and potentially Methods Panel testing, such as the 2015
Panel may include testing methods for reduce respondent burden. Among other Mail Messaging Tests, 2016 Content
increasing survey efficiencies, reducing activities, the Census Bureau is Test, 2016 Mail Messaging Test, 2017
survey cost, lessening respondent reviewing questions to determine if we Self-Response Test, and 2018 Self-
burden, and improving response rates. can revise the wording in a way to make Response Test, provide a mechanism to
Testing may also include methods to them less burdensome for survey investigate ways to reduce or at least
improve data quality. respondents, especially for questions maintain data collection costs and
At this time, plans are in place to determined during the 2014 ACS improve the quality of the data.
propose several tests: A summer 2015 Content Review to be especially Affected Public: Individuals or
mail messaging test, a fall 2015 mail sensitive, difficult, or time-consuming. Households.
messaging test, a 2016 ACS Content Proposed changes to content would be Frequency: Multiple one-time tests
Test, a 2016 mail messaging test, a 2017 cognitively tested and then included in over a 3-year period.
self-response test with the potential to a field test to assess the impact on both
test both mail messaging as well as Respondent’s Obligation: Mandatory.
respondent burden and data quality.
questionnaire content, a 2018 self- Third, in response to Federal Legal Authority: Title 13, United
response test building on the previous agencies’ requests for new and revised States Code, sections 141 and 193.
tests, as well as tests of Internet data ACS questions, the Census Bureau plans This information collection request
collection enhancements in 2017 and to conduct the 2016 ACS Content Test. may be viewed at www.reginfo.gov.
2018. Since the ACS Methods Panel is Changes to the current ACS content and Follow the instructions to view
designed to address emerging issues, we the addition of new content were Department of Commerce collections
may conduct additional testing as identified through the OMB Interagency currently under review by OMB.
needed. Any additional testing would Committee for the ACS, and must be Written comments and
focus on methods for reducing data approved for testing by the OMB. The recommendations for the proposed
collection costs, improving data quality, objective of the 2016 ACS Content Test information collection should be sent
revising content, or testing new is to determine the impact of changing within 30 days of publication of this
questions that have an urgent need to be question wording, response categories, notice to OIRA_Submission@
included on the ACS. Please note that and redefinition of underlying omb.eop.gov or fax to (202) 395–5806.
this proposal includes summer and fall constructs on the quality of the data
2015 mail messaging tests, which were Sheleen Dumas,
collected. Revisions to twelve
not included in the pre-submission questions/topics are proposed for Departmental PRA Lead, Office of the Chief
notice. Information Officer.
inclusion in the 2016 ACS Content Test:
First, in response to respondent [FR Doc. 2015–15532 Filed 6–23–15; 8:45 am]
concerns about prominent references to * Telephone Service
BILLING CODE 3510–07–P
the mandatory participation in the ACS, * Computer and Internet
the Census Bureau plans to test methods * Relationship
to soften the mandatory messages while * Race and Hispanic Origin DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
emphasizing the benefits of * Health Insurance
participation in the survey. In May of * Health Insurance Premium and Bureau Of Industry And Security
2015, the Census Bureau is conducting Subsidies (new questions)
a test to study the impact of removing * Journey to Work: Commuting Mode In the Matter of: Armin Shir
the phrase, ‘‘YOUR RESPONSE IS * Journey to Work: Time Left for Work Mohammadi, 22505 Rio Aliso Drive,
REQUIRED BY LAW’’ from the * Number of Weeks Worked Lake Forest, CA 92630–5514; Order
envelopes used in the second and fourth * Class of Worker Denying Export Privileges
mailing to respondents. The summer * Industry and Occupation
* Retirement Income On June 21, 2013, in the U.S. District
2015 test will advance the study of
The Census Bureau proposes to Court for the Southern District of
mandatory messaging by modifying the
evaluate changes to the questions by California, Armin Shir Mohammadi
messages included in several of the
comparing the revised questions to the (‘‘Mohammadi’’) was convicted of
mailings, including postcards and
current ACS questions, or for new violating the International Emergency
letters.
Second, in response to declining questions, to compare the performance Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701,
response rates and increasing costs, the of question versions to each other as et seq. (2006 & Supp. IV 2010))
Census Bureau plans to analyze well as to other well-known sources of (‘‘IEEPA’’). Specifically, Mohammadi
methods to increase self-response, the such information. knowingly and willfully conspired to
least expensive mode of data collection, Fourth, the ACS began collecting data export and caused the exportation, sale,
especially Internet response. The tests using the Internet in January 2013. To and supply of satellite communication
would include changes to messages date, the Web site used to collect the equipment, navigation equipment, and
included in mail materials to motivate data is designed for a desktop computer related goods from the United States to
the public to respond to the ACS, screen. The Internet tests being persons in third countries with
increase awareness of the ACS, as well proposed in 2017 and 2018 would knowledge that such goods were
as changes to design elements of the evaluate Internet data collection via intended for supply, transshipment, and
reexportation, to Iran without having
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

materials, including color and graphics. mobile devices, examine ways to reduce
Tests would be conducted in 2015, Internet break-offs, email testing, as well first obtained the required authorization
2016, 2017, and 2018 building on as other improvements to Internet data from the Secretary of Treasury.
previous tests’ findings. collection. Mohammadi was sentenced one year
Additionally, as part of the mail Finally, we will continue to examine and one day of imprisonment.
messaging tests in 2017 and 2018, the the operational issues, research the data Section 766.25 of the Export
Census Bureau may include content quality, collect cost information and Administration Regulations (‘‘EAR’’ or

VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:43 Jun 23, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\24JNN1.SGM 24JNN1
Document Created: 2015-12-15 14:09:30
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 14:09:30
Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
FR Citation		80 FR 36316