80_FR_46388 80 FR 46239 - Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; 2016 Census Test

80 FR 46239 - Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; 2016 Census Test

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Census Bureau

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 149 (August 4, 2015)

Page Range46239-46242
FR Document2015-19005

The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 149 (Tuesday, August 4, 2015) 
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 149 (Tuesday, August 4, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46239-46242]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-19005]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

 Census Bureau


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; 2016 Census 
Test

AGENCY: U.S. Census Bureau, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES: To ensure consideration, written comments must be submitted on 
or before October 5, 2015.

[[Page 46240]]


ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at jjessup@doc.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Robin Pennington, Census Bureau, HQ-4K065, 
Washington, DC 20233; (301) 763-8132 (or via email at 
robin.a.pennington@census.gov).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    During the years preceding the 2020 Census, the Census Bureau will 
pursue its commitment to reduce the costs of conducting a decennial 
census, while maintaining our commitment to quality. A primary 
decennial census cost driver is collection of data from members of the 
public from which the Census Bureau received no reply via initially 
offered response options. Improving our methods for increasing the 
number of people who take advantage of self-response options 
(``Optimizing Self-Response'') and further refining the questionnaire 
content will help increase the efficiency and effectiveness of census 
operations and substantially reduce costs. Additionally, making our 
methods for enumerating households that do not initially respond 
(``Nonresponse Followup'') more efficient can contribute to a less 
costly census while maintaining high-quality results.
    The Census Bureau will conduct a 2016 Census Test, with components 
designed to test new approaches or validate existing approaches and 
systems integration related to (1) Optimizing Self-Response, including 
contact strategies, language support, and questionnaire content; and 
(2) Nonresponse Followup, including administrative records usage, and 
technological and operational improvements.

Optimizing Self-Response

    The 2016 Census Test is designed to evaluate several strategies to 
optimize the rate at which the public self-responds to the census. A 
higher rate of self-response will mean fewer cases for the Nonresponse 
Followup operation, saving taxpayer money. Significant areas of 
continued testing are:
     Evaluation and refinement of our ``Internet push'' 
strategy, where we do not initially send paper questionnaires to 
households, but rather invite them to complete the questionnaire 
online. We will evaluate the number of online invitations necessary 
before sending a full paper questionnaire to an address.
     Updated and modernized household contact strategies to 
encourage self response, including text/short message service (SMS) 
communication and postcard reminders.
     Refinement of our non-English support for respondents with 
limited English proficiency, the inclusion of non-English language 
letters and/or brochures in mailings, and web response addresses 
(Uniform Resource Locators, or URLs) in various languages on the 
incoming envelope.
     Further evaluation of questionnaire content:
    [cir] We will include testing of a combined race and Hispanic 
origin question that is similar to one the Census Bureau is using in 
the 2015 National Content Test. Based on results from the 2010 Race and 
Hispanic Origin Alternative Questionnaire Experiment (Compton, et. al. 
2012), the 2016 Census Test provides an opportunity to further test a 
combined race and Hispanic origin question.
    [cir] On the Internet instrument only, we will test a terminology 
change in the race and ethnicity question specific to the ``Black and 
African American'' category, by comparing the use of ``American'' to 
the abbreviated ``Am.'' This addresses a problem with this abbreviation 
related to software providing Section 508 compliance \1\. We are 
testing this on the Internet initially because the path for testing and 
screens on the Internet are more easily deployed than paper versions. 
We will continue and expand testing this terminology change with paper 
questionnaires (self-response) in future testing.
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    \1\ Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. `794 d) as 
amended by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (Pub. L. 205-220)
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    [cir] For the relationship question, the 2016 Census Test will 
include testing new response categories for opposite sex and same sex 
husband/wife/spouse and unmarried partner. In addition, the Internet 
data collection instrument will also provide two versions of the 
relationship question, with one version eliminating the response 
categories associated with unrelated household members (``roomer or 
boarder'' and ``housemate or roommate'').
    [cir] The Internet data collection instrument will also include 
various ways to collect and confirm the number of persons residing at 
an address. Respondents will see one of three screens about the 
existence of people on the roster: one that displays the residence rule 
and asks for the number of people in the household, one that asks for 
the number of people who live in the household but puts the residence 
rule in the help text, and one that asks if any other people live at 
the household with the residence rule in the help text. After the names 
of the roster members are collected, the respondent will then see one 
of two series of undercount questions: one series asks for additional 
people on two separate screens, and another series asks for additional 
people on only one screen. After the demographic items are collected, 
the respondent will then see overcount questions in one of three forms, 
depending on test panel. Some respondents will see seven topic-based 
questions that ask if anyone in the household stayed at a particular 
type of place. Some respondents who live in small households (that is, 
households with three or fewer people) will see one person-based 
question that asks if a specific person stayed in any of a number of 
places. Other respondents will see two household-level questions that 
first ask if anyone in the household stayed in another housing unit or 
if anyone in the household stayed in a group quarters. The quality of 
the final household roster created from these experimentally applied 
questions will be evaluated by a coverage reinterview conducted by 
telephone that will contain extensive probes about missed roster 
members or other places that people sometimes stay.

Nonresponse Followup (NRFU)

    The 2016 Census Test will be instrumental to the Census Bureau in 
testing new implementation and management processes, the use of 
automated data collection tools, and approaches such as using 
administrative records and third party data to reduce the NRFU 
workload. This test allows us to refine our use of administrative 
records, technologies to support field data collection and management, 
and operational procedures.
     Administrative Records
     Continued evaluation of our plan to use administrative 
records and other third party data (such as from the Internal Revenue 
Service, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, United States 
Postal Service, etc.) to identify vacant housing units that do not 
require a field visit during the nonresponse follow-up operation. 
Historically, the costs to verify and follow up with these types of 
units have been significant
     Continued evaluation of our plan to use the ``occupancy'' 
status of administrative records sources to

[[Page 46241]]

enumerate housing units after a certain number of NRFU contact 
attempts. This includes quality evaluations of the sources of the 
administrative records, and reviews of the procedures by which those 
administrative records are produced (working with the source agencies, 
etc.). This will help us to decide in what scenarios the use of 
administrative records is most appropriate, the ideal number of 
personal visits to attempt before enumerating with these records, and 
several other research questions.
     Supplemental mailings to housing units that have been 
removed from the NRFU operation, giving respondents an additional 
chance to respond to the 2016 Census Test before final disposition 
using administrative record source data.
     Technological Improvements:
     Evaluation of our refined operational control system and 
case assignment processes, including identifying efficiencies for field 
data collection, as well as automated assignments that are based on 
enumerator availability and other criteria.
     Continued testing of a software to record housing unit 
status, interview, and enumerations at nonresponding housing units for 
operational readiness, as well as the ability to deploy the software on 
mobile devices that are Census owned, personally owned, or provided as 
a service.
     Continued evaluation of automated training for field 
employees.
     The inclusion of additional language translations to our 
enumeration software. Previous versions of this software provided 
translations in Spanish only.
     Operational Procedures:
     Comparison of the effectiveness of data collection modes 
(in-field enumeration vs. centralized telephone contact) to conduct 
telephone follow up activities.
     Use of innovative survey methodologies for NRFU cases, 
including the continued testing of different stopping rules for 
enumerators (maximum visits before stopping work, etc.); further 
evaluation of in-person vs. phone contacts, and continued research on 
when and how to attempt to obtain proxy responses for a housing unit.
     Implementation of a refined field management structure, 
designed to lessen the number of supervisors required in the field for 
conducting the NRFU operation.
     Testing our re-interview operation, including the rules by 
which cases are selected for re-interview, the use of a handheld device 
to input re-interview data, and a re-designed approach to using call 
center staff to make the first attempt at re-interviewing each case, 
where appropriate. We will also test the use of paradata collected from 
our automated data collection instrument, such as the recorded Global 
Positioning System (GPS) location of field interviews and the length of 
time for interviews to be conducted, to help detect and deter 
falsification by enumerators.

II. Method of Collection

Test Sites

    The Census Bureau will conduct the 2016 Census Test concurrently in 
portions of Harris County, TX and Los Angeles County, CA. These 
locations offer particular characteristics that support the Census 
Bureau's research goals. Conducting the 2016 Census Test in urban areas 
will allow us to test our assignment routing strategies in densely 
populated areas and understand challenges to field enumeration. Both 
sites have populations that are linguistically diverse and provide an 
appropriate context to test our language and translation services. 
Lastly, both areas contain ``hard to count'' populations and areas with 
high vacancy rates that will allow us to test our follow-up activities 
with these populations in this environment.

Self-Response

    The housing units in the selected areas included in the 2016 Census 
Test will be contacted by mail and invited to complete their 
questionnaire via the Internet. Internet self response contact methods 
include a letter, postcard, and text (either as an invitation or as 
reminders), a multi-lingual brochure (either with a letter or in the 
envelope with URL). We will also test optimal strategies for delivering 
mail materials, including paper questionnaires, to households who do 
not or cannot respond online.
    We will continue to test our Non-ID processing methodology as 
another strategy for optimizing self-response. Non-ID Processing refers 
to address matching and geocoding for Census responses that lack a 
preassigned Census identification code. In the 2016 Census Test, we 
will continue to develop our capability to conduct real-time Non-ID 
processing. This test will allow us to interactively prompt a 
respondent (while they are still online filling out the form) for 
additional address and location information if the respondent's address 
cannot be matched to a Census ID or geocoded. A Non-ID respondent whose 
address cannot be matched to our address database will be prompted 
during his or her Internet self-response session to confirm the address 
information they provided while filling out the form, or to indicate 
the location of their address on an on-screen map. This test will allow 
us to better understand requirements related to scalability of planned 
systems and determine metrics for ongoing monitoring and evaluation. If 
the address match is not resolved during automated processing Census 
staff will attempt to manually match or geocode addresses. We estimate 
that about one percent of the overall Non-ID respondents will be 
contacted as part of the manual matching process. Additionally, we plan 
to test a mechanism for validating all Non-ID respondents through the 
use of administrative records. To further explore our methodology for 
validating Non-ID responses, a sample of Non-ID responses will be 
selected for re-contact. The re-contact is intended to validate and re-
collect information from a respondent to confirm the existence of the 
address and the persons enumerated at that address. The re-contact may 
occur through centralized phone contacts or in-field enumeration.

Nonresponse Followup (NRFU)

    If a household does not ultimately respond to the self-response 
portion of the test by a specified date, it is included in the universe 
for the NRFU portion of the test, during which enumerators will attempt 
to follow up with nonresponding households to collect data. The Census 
Bureau will test centralized phone contacts to nonresponding cases 
prior to sending cases to an enumerator in the field. In advance of the 
full deployment of enumerators following up with nonresponding 
households, a small number of the nonresponding cases may be subject to 
early followup to allow for live testing of systems, data collection 
applications, and field procedures.
    The Census Bureau will continue to test our use of administrative 
records for the removal of vacant housing units from the NRFU universe 
and to determine rules for when we can stop making visit attempts to 
households, and refer to administrative record data instead. For each 
of these cases, we will test a supplemental mailout to any household 
that is removed from the NRFU workload in this way as a final attempt 
to generate a self-response.
    The Census Bureau will conduct NRFU with a combination of Census-
owned, enumerator-owned, and mobile devices provided as a service using 
the Census developed enumeration

[[Page 46242]]

software. The use of employee-owned equipment/services is commonly 
referred to as ``Bring Your Own Device,'' or BYOD. It is important to 
note, that for Census-owned devices, BYOD devices, or devices provided 
as a service that the data collection application collects and securely 
transmits respondents' data. The use of mobile devices that are Census-
owned, enumerator-owned, or provided as a service will enable the 
Census Bureau to assess options for a secure and cost-effective 
approach to the NRFU data collection.

Nonresponse Followup Quality Control Reinterview (NRFU-RI)

    A sample of cases that have been enumerated via Nonresponse 
Followup will be selected for reinterview. This operation is intended 
to help us pinpoint possible cases of enumerator falsification. Like 
the NRFU operation before it, NRFU-RI will use the Census Bureau's 
enumeration software on mobile devices (Census-owned, BYOD, and devices 
provided as a service). We will also test centralized phone contacts of 
reinterview cases before sending them to an enumerator in the field, 
providing potential cost savings.

Additional Followup Operations

    Understanding the accuracy of administrative records usage to 
identify vacant addresses and for the household composition of occupied 
housing units will inform decisions associated with the design of the 
2020 Census. The Census Bureau may conduct additional followup with 
cases to obtain the most accurate Census Day status of each housing 
unit. The intent is to revisit addresses where we find discrepancies 
between the NRFU results and administrative records information for the 
address. This mostly will include those addresses where information 
collected during NRFU conflicts with information we have from 
administrative records for that address.

Language Services

    Telephone questionnaire assistance will be available in languages 
other than English.

Focus Groups

    To evaluate the use of new contact strategies, enumeration methods, 
and efforts to reduce burden, the Census Bureau will conduct focus 
groups, comprised of various categories of respondents and non-
respondents. These focus groups are intended to gather information 
about respondent perspectives. Participants will be asked about their 
experiences with the 2016 Census Test, including but not limited to: 
Their reactions and thoughts about being contacted by the Census Bureau 
by alternative methods, the perceived legitimacy of these contacts; 
opinions about Bring Your Own Device; and their opinions on the use of 
administrative records by the Census Bureau. Participants will also be 
asked about their general concerns with government collection, cyber 
security, and protection of confidential data. At the end of the focus 
groups, we may be asking participants for whom we have acquired 
additional data from a commercial third party to verify whether this 
information is accurate.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0607-XXXX.
    Form Number(s): Paper and electronic questionnaires; numbers to be 
determined.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Households/Individuals.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: Self responders [Internet/
Telephone/Paper]: 250,000 respondents.
    Nonresponse Followup Cases: 120,000 respondents.
    Nonresponse Followup Quality Control Re-Interview Cases: 12,000 
respondents.
    Manual Non-ID Processing Cases requiring a phone call to the 
respondent: 400.
    Validation of Non-ID responses: 5000.
    Administrative Records Followup: 5000.
    Focus Groups:
    Focus Group Selection Contact: 288.
    Focus Groups: 160 participants.
    Total: 392,848 respondents.
    Estimated Time Per Response:
    Paper/Internet Responders: 10 minutes per response.
    Nonresponse Followup Cases: 10 minutes per response.
    Nonresponse Followup Quality Control Re-Interview Cases: 10 minutes 
per response.
    Non-ID Manual Processing Cases: 5 minutes.
    Non-ID Respondent Validation: 10 minutes per response.
    Administrative Records Followup: 10 minutes per response.
    Focus Groups:
    Focus Group Selection Contact: 3 minutes per response.
    Focus Groups: 120 minutes per response.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours:
    Self responders [Internet/Paper/Telephone]: 41,667 hours.
    Nonresponse Followup Cases: 20,000 hours.
    Nonresponse Followup Quality Control Re-Interview Cases: 2,000 
hours.
    Non-ID Manual Processing Cases: 33 hours.
    Non-ID Respondent Validation: 834 hours.
    Administrative Records Followup: 834 hours.
    Focus Groups:
    Focus Group Selection Contact: 16 hours.
    Focus Groups: 320 hours.
    Total: 65,704 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: For the 2016 Census Test, 
respondents who are contacted by text message may incur charges 
depending on their plan with their service provider. The Census Bureau 
estimates that the total cost to respondents will be no more than 
$20,000. There are no other costs to respondents other than their time 
to participate in this data collection.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C. Sections 141 and 193.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: July 29, 2015.
Glenna Mickelson,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2015-19005 Filed 8-3-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 149 / Tuesday, August 4, 2015 / Notices 46239 and responses will be due by February business expenses. Published data cover to your interests and provide us with 12, 2018. Written comments must be close to 1,000 industries, 8,000 goods your comments for us to consider as we submitted on or before October 5, 2015 and services, every state, the District of prepare content for the 2017 to ensure consideration of your Columbia, over 3,000 counties and questionnaires. In particular, Item 26 comments on the 2017 Economic 15,000 cities and towns. ‘‘Special Inquiries’’ may be of the most Census content. The Economic Census is a primary interest to you. The Special Inquiries ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments source of facts about the structure and item is dedicated to variable questions regarding the 2017 Economic Census to functioning of the U.S. economy. of particular interest to the industries to Kevin Deardorff, Chief, Economy Wide Economic Census statistics are more which the questionnaire is directed. Statistics Division, U.S. Census Bureau, complete, specific, and reliable than any While general questions are asked of all Room 8K154, Washington, DC 20233; or other single set of economic establishments, these variable questions Email [ec.frn17@census.gov]. information. It provides comprehensive, allow special data to be collected, which detailed, high quality, and authoritative measure important changes in our FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: statistics that meet the needs of economy and support the needs of Economy-Wide Statistics Division, U.S. government, businesses, policymakers, individual industries. We are Census Bureau, 4600 Silver Hill Road, academic researchers, and the American particularly interested in comments on Room 6K141, Washington, DC 20233– public. The program’s data products the usefulness of existing inquiries for 6700, by phone (800) 242–2184, or by inform policies and programs that continued inclusion and in suggestions email ec.frn17@census.gov>. promote business vitality, job creation, for new measures that would be SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: and sustainable growth. Moreover, they appropriate to include in the Economic A. Background provide the official measures of output Census. for industries and geographic areas and Notwithstanding any other provision Section 131 of Title 13 U.S.C. directs serve much of the foundation for the the Secretary [of Commerce] to ‘‘. . . of law, no person is required to respond National Income and Product Accounts, to, nor shall a person be subject to a take, compile, and publish censuses of Gross Domestic Product estimates, and manufactures, of mineral industries, and penalty for failure to comply with a other composite measures of the collection of information subject to the of other businesses, including the Nation’s economic performance. These distributive trades, service requirements of the Paperwork data supply weights and benchmarks for Reduction Act (PRA) unless that establishments, and transportation indexes of industrial production, (exclusive of means of transportation for collection of information displays a productivity, and prices; and provide current valid Office of Management and which statistics are required by law to benchmarks for other Federal statistical be filed with, and are compiled and Budget (OMB) control number. The series. Some of these statistical series Census Bureau, through the proper published by, a designated regulatory include current business surveys done body), in the year 1964, then in the year established procedures, will be by the Census Bureau, which are used obtaining an OMB control number 1968, and every fifth year thereafter, and by trade associations, business each such census shall relate to the year under the PRA as we get closer to organizations, economic development launching the program in 2017. immediately preceding the taking agencies, and individual businesses to I have, therefore, directed that the thereof.’’ assess and improve business This notice announces that the 2017 Economic Census be conducted for performance. the purpose of collecting these data. Census Bureau is preparing to conduct the 2017 Economic Census. The B. Electronic Collection Dated: July 30, 2015. Economic Census is the U.S. The 2017 Economic Census will be John H. Thompson, Government’s official 5-year measure of the first to be conducted completely by Director, Bureau of the Census. American Business and the economy, electronic collection (100 percent [FR Doc. 2015–19147 Filed 8–3–15; 8:45 am] and has been taken periodically since Internet Collection). The electronic BILLING CODE 3510–07–P 1810. The Economic Census is the most instrument, Centurion, provides comprehensive source of information improved quality with automatic data about American businesses from the checks and is context-sensitive to assist DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE national to the local level. These the data provider in identifying Economic Census data products provide potential reporting problems before Census Bureau uniquely detailed basic measures that submission, thus reducing the need for are summarized by North American Proposed Information Collection; follow-up. Centurion is Internet-based, Comment Request; 2016 Census Test Industry Classification System (NAICS) eliminating the need for downloading industry for the U.S., states, software and increasing the integrity AGENCY: U.S. Census Bureau, metropolitan areas, counties, economic and confidentiality of the data. The Commerce. places, and ZIP Code areas. Data include Census Bureau will furnish usernames ACTION: Notice. details on the product composition of and passwords for the electronic industry sales, receipts, revenue, or instrument to the organizations The Department of SUMMARY: shipments; and on a great variety of included in the survey, and an image of Commerce, as part of its continuing industry-specific subjects. Additionally, the electronic instrument will be effort to reduce paperwork and the Economic Census produces statistics available on the 2017 Economic Census respondent burden, invites the general about businesses in Puerto Rico, Web site once the census has launched. public and other Federal agencies to tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES American Samoa, the Commonwealth of take this opportunity to comment on the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, C. Economic Census Content proposed and/or continuing information and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and it The Census Bureau posted copies of collections, as required by the provides data on selected special- the 2012 Economic Census forms on its Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. interest topics, including the Web site at: https://bhs.econ.census.gov/ DATES: To ensure consideration, written characteristics of business owners, ec12/php/census-form.php. Please take comments must be submitted on or domestic freight shipments, and a moment to review the forms relevant before October 5, 2015. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:45 Aug 03, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\04AUN1.SGM 04AUN1

46240 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 149 / Tuesday, August 4, 2015 / Notices ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments complete the questionnaire online. We residence rule and asks for the number to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental will evaluate the number of online of people in the household, one that Paperwork Clearance Officer, invitations necessary before sending a asks for the number of people who live Department of Commerce, Room 6616, full paper questionnaire to an address. in the household but puts the residence 14th and Constitution Avenue NW, • Updated and modernized rule in the help text, and one that asks Washington, DC 20230 (or via the household contact strategies to if any other people live at the household Internet at jjessup@doc.gov). encourage self response, including text/ with the residence rule in the help text. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: short message service (SMS) After the names of the roster members Requests for additional information or communication and postcard reminders. are collected, the respondent will then copies of the information collection • Refinement of our non-English see one of two series of undercount instrument(s) and instructions should support for respondents with limited questions: one series asks for additional be directed to Robin Pennington, Census English proficiency, the inclusion of people on two separate screens, and Bureau, HQ–4K065, Washington, DC non-English language letters and/or another series asks for additional people 20233; (301) 763–8132 (or via email at brochures in mailings, and web on only one screen. After the robin.a.pennington@census.gov). response addresses (Uniform Resource demographic items are collected, the Locators, or URLs) in various languages respondent will then see overcount SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: on the incoming envelope. questions in one of three forms, I. Abstract • Further evaluation of questionnaire depending on test panel. Some content: respondents will see seven topic-based During the years preceding the 2020 Æ We will include testing of a questions that ask if anyone in the Census, the Census Bureau will pursue combined race and Hispanic origin household stayed at a particular type of its commitment to reduce the costs of question that is similar to one the place. Some respondents who live in conducting a decennial census, while Census Bureau is using in the 2015 small households (that is, households maintaining our commitment to quality. National Content Test. Based on results with three or fewer people) will see one A primary decennial census cost driver from the 2010 Race and Hispanic Origin person-based question that asks if a is collection of data from members of specific person stayed in any of a Alternative Questionnaire Experiment the public from which the Census number of places. Other respondents (Compton, et. al. 2012), the 2016 Census Bureau received no reply via initially will see two household-level questions Test provides an opportunity to further offered response options. Improving our that first ask if anyone in the household test a combined race and Hispanic methods for increasing the number of stayed in another housing unit or if origin question. people who take advantage of self- Æ On the Internet instrument only, we anyone in the household stayed in a response options (‘‘Optimizing Self- will test a terminology change in the group quarters. The quality of the final Response’’) and further refining the race and ethnicity question specific to household roster created from these questionnaire content will help increase the ‘‘Black and African American’’ experimentally applied questions will the efficiency and effectiveness of category, by comparing the use of be evaluated by a coverage reinterview census operations and substantially ‘‘American’’ to the abbreviated ‘‘Am.’’ conducted by telephone that will reduce costs. Additionally, making our This addresses a problem with this contain extensive probes about missed methods for enumerating households abbreviation related to software roster members or other places that that do not initially respond providing Section 508 compliance 1. We people sometimes stay. (‘‘Nonresponse Followup’’) more are testing this on the Internet initially Nonresponse Followup (NRFU) efficient can contribute to a less costly because the path for testing and screens census while maintaining high-quality The 2016 Census Test will be on the Internet are more easily deployed results. instrumental to the Census Bureau in than paper versions. We will continue The Census Bureau will conduct a testing new implementation and and expand testing this terminology 2016 Census Test, with components management processes, the use of change with paper questionnaires (self- designed to test new approaches or automated data collection tools, and response) in future testing. validate existing approaches and Æ For the relationship question, the approaches such as using administrative systems integration related to (1) 2016 Census Test will include testing records and third party data to reduce Optimizing Self-Response, including new response categories for opposite sex the NRFU workload. This test allows us contact strategies, language support, and and same sex husband/wife/spouse and to refine our use of administrative questionnaire content; and (2) unmarried partner. In addition, the records, technologies to support field Nonresponse Followup, including Internet data collection instrument will data collection and management, and administrative records usage, and also provide two versions of the operational procedures. technological and operational relationship question, with one version • Administrative Records improvements. eliminating the response categories • Continued evaluation of our plan to associated with unrelated household use administrative records and other Optimizing Self-Response members (‘‘roomer or boarder’’ and third party data (such as from the The 2016 Census Test is designed to Internal Revenue Service, Center for ‘‘housemate or roommate’’). evaluate several strategies to optimize Medicare and Medicaid Services, Æ The Internet data collection the rate at which the public self- United States Postal Service, etc.) to instrument will also include various responds to the census. A higher rate of identify vacant housing units that do ways to collect and confirm the number self-response will mean fewer cases for not require a field visit during the of persons residing at an address. tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES the Nonresponse Followup operation, nonresponse follow-up operation. Respondents will see one of three saving taxpayer money. Significant Historically, the costs to verify and screens about the existence of people on areas of continued testing are: follow up with these types of units have the roster: one that displays the • Evaluation and refinement of our been significant ‘‘Internet push’’ strategy, where we do 1 Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. • Continued evaluation of our plan to not initially send paper questionnaires ‘794 d) as amended by the Workforce Investment use the ‘‘occupancy’’ status of to households, but rather invite them to Act of 1998 (Pub. L. 205–220) administrative records sources to VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:45 Aug 03, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\04AUN1.SGM 04AUN1

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 149 / Tuesday, August 4, 2015 / Notices 46241 enumerate housing units after a certain data, and a re-designed approach to matched to our address database will be number of NRFU contact attempts. This using call center staff to make the first prompted during his or her Internet self- includes quality evaluations of the attempt at re-interviewing each case, response session to confirm the address sources of the administrative records, where appropriate. We will also test the information they provided while filling and reviews of the procedures by which use of paradata collected from our out the form, or to indicate the location those administrative records are automated data collection instrument, of their address on an on-screen map. produced (working with the source such as the recorded Global Positioning This test will allow us to better agencies, etc.). This will help us to System (GPS) location of field understand requirements related to decide in what scenarios the use of interviews and the length of time for scalability of planned systems and administrative records is most interviews to be conducted, to help determine metrics for ongoing appropriate, the ideal number of detect and deter falsification by monitoring and evaluation. If the personal visits to attempt before enumerators. address match is not resolved during enumerating with these records, and automated processing Census staff will II. Method of Collection attempt to manually match or geocode several other research questions. • Supplemental mailings to housing Test Sites addresses. We estimate that about one units that have been removed from the percent of the overall Non-ID The Census Bureau will conduct the NRFU operation, giving respondents an respondents will be contacted as part of 2016 Census Test concurrently in additional chance to respond to the the manual matching process. portions of Harris County, TX and Los 2016 Census Test before final Additionally, we plan to test a Angeles County, CA. These locations mechanism for validating all Non-ID disposition using administrative record offer particular characteristics that source data. respondents through the use of support the Census Bureau’s research • Technological Improvements: administrative records. To further • Evaluation of our refined goals. Conducting the 2016 Census Test explore our methodology for validating operational control system and case in urban areas will allow us to test our Non-ID responses, a sample of Non-ID assignment processes, including assignment routing strategies in densely responses will be selected for re-contact. identifying efficiencies for field data populated areas and understand The re-contact is intended to validate collection, as well as automated challenges to field enumeration. Both and re-collect information from a assignments that are based on sites have populations that are respondent to confirm the existence of enumerator availability and other linguistically diverse and provide an the address and the persons enumerated criteria. appropriate context to test our language at that address. The re-contact may • Continued testing of a software to and translation services. Lastly, both occur through centralized phone record housing unit status, interview, areas contain ‘‘hard to count’’ contacts or in-field enumeration. and enumerations at nonresponding populations and areas with high vacancy rates that will allow us to test Nonresponse Followup (NRFU) housing units for operational readiness, as well as the ability to deploy the our follow-up activities with these If a household does not ultimately software on mobile devices that are populations in this environment. respond to the self-response portion of Census owned, personally owned, or Self-Response the test by a specified date, it is provided as a service. included in the universe for the NRFU • Continued evaluation of automated The housing units in the selected portion of the test, during which training for field employees. areas included in the 2016 Census Test enumerators will attempt to follow up • The inclusion of additional will be contacted by mail and invited to with nonresponding households to language translations to our complete their questionnaire via the collect data. The Census Bureau will enumeration software. Previous versions Internet. Internet self response contact test centralized phone contacts to of this software provided translations in methods include a letter, postcard, and nonresponding cases prior to sending Spanish only. text (either as an invitation or as cases to an enumerator in the field. In • Operational Procedures: reminders), a multi-lingual brochure advance of the full deployment of • Comparison of the effectiveness of (either with a letter or in the envelope enumerators following up with data collection modes (in-field with URL). We will also test optimal nonresponding households, a small enumeration vs. centralized telephone strategies for delivering mail materials, number of the nonresponding cases may contact) to conduct telephone follow up including paper questionnaires, to be subject to early followup to allow for activities. households who do not or cannot live testing of systems, data collection • Use of innovative survey respond online. applications, and field procedures. methodologies for NRFU cases, We will continue to test our Non-ID The Census Bureau will continue to including the continued testing of processing methodology as another test our use of administrative records for different stopping rules for enumerators strategy for optimizing self-response. the removal of vacant housing units (maximum visits before stopping work, Non-ID Processing refers to address from the NRFU universe and to etc.); further evaluation of in-person vs. matching and geocoding for Census determine rules for when we can stop phone contacts, and continued research responses that lack a preassigned making visit attempts to households, on when and how to attempt to obtain Census identification code. In the 2016 and refer to administrative record data proxy responses for a housing unit. Census Test, we will continue to instead. For each of these cases, we will • Implementation of a refined field develop our capability to conduct real- test a supplemental mailout to any management structure, designed to time Non-ID processing. This test will household that is removed from the tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES lessen the number of supervisors allow us to interactively prompt a NRFU workload in this way as a final required in the field for conducting the respondent (while they are still online attempt to generate a self-response. NRFU operation. filling out the form) for additional The Census Bureau will conduct • Testing our re-interview operation, address and location information if the NRFU with a combination of Census- including the rules by which cases are respondent’s address cannot be matched owned, enumerator-owned, and mobile selected for re-interview, the use of a to a Census ID or geocoded. A Non-ID devices provided as a service using the handheld device to input re-interview respondent whose address cannot be Census developed enumeration VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:45 Aug 03, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\04AUN1.SGM 04AUN1

46242 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 149 / Tuesday, August 4, 2015 / Notices software. The use of employee-owned to: Their reactions and thoughts about Non-ID Manual Processing Cases: 33 equipment/services is commonly being contacted by the Census Bureau hours. referred to as ‘‘Bring Your Own Device,’’ by alternative methods, the perceived Non-ID Respondent Validation: 834 or BYOD. It is important to note, that for legitimacy of these contacts; opinions hours. Census-owned devices, BYOD devices, about Bring Your Own Device; and their or devices provided as a service that the opinions on the use of administrative Administrative Records Followup: data collection application collects and records by the Census Bureau. 834 hours. securely transmits respondents’ data. Participants will also be asked about Focus Groups: The use of mobile devices that are their general concerns with government Focus Group Selection Contact: 16 Census-owned, enumerator-owned, or collection, cyber security, and hours. provided as a service will enable the protection of confidential data. At the Census Bureau to assess options for a end of the focus groups, we may be Focus Groups: 320 hours. secure and cost-effective approach to asking participants for whom we have Total: 65,704 hours. the NRFU data collection. acquired additional data from a Estimated Total Annual Cost to commercial third party to verify Public: For the 2016 Census Test, Nonresponse Followup Quality Control whether this information is accurate. Reinterview (NRFU–RI) respondents who are contacted by text A sample of cases that have been III. Data message may incur charges depending enumerated via Nonresponse Followup OMB Control Number: 0607–XXXX. on their plan with their service will be selected for reinterview. This Form Number(s): Paper and electronic provider. The Census Bureau estimates operation is intended to help us questionnaires; numbers to be that the total cost to respondents will be pinpoint possible cases of enumerator determined. no more than $20,000. There are no falsification. Like the NRFU operation Type of Review: Regular submission. other costs to respondents other than before it, NRFU–RI will use the Census Affected Public: Households/ their time to participate in this data Bureau’s enumeration software on Individuals. collection. mobile devices (Census-owned, BYOD, Estimated Number of Respondents: Respondent’s Obligation: Mandatory. and devices provided as a service). We Self responders [Internet/Telephone/ will also test centralized phone contacts Paper]: 250,000 respondents. Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C. of reinterview cases before sending Nonresponse Followup Cases: Sections 141 and 193. them to an enumerator in the field, 120,000 respondents. Nonresponse Followup Quality IV. Request for Comments providing potential cost savings. Control Re-Interview Cases: 12,000 Comments are invited on: (a) Whether Additional Followup Operations respondents. the proposed collection of information Understanding the accuracy of Manual Non-ID Processing Cases is necessary for the proper performance administrative records usage to identify requiring a phone call to the of the functions of the agency, including vacant addresses and for the household respondent: 400. Validation of Non-ID responses: 5000. whether the information shall have composition of occupied housing units practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the will inform decisions associated with Administrative Records Followup: 5000. agency’s estimate of the burden the design of the 2020 Census. The Focus Groups: (including hours and cost) of the Census Bureau may conduct additional Focus Group Selection Contact: 288. proposed collection of information; (c) followup with cases to obtain the most Focus Groups: 160 participants. ways to enhance the quality, utility, and accurate Census Day status of each Total: 392,848 respondents. housing unit. The intent is to revisit clarity of the information to be Estimated Time Per Response: collected; and (d) ways to minimize the addresses where we find discrepancies Paper/Internet Responders: 10 between the NRFU results and burden of the collection of information minutes per response. on respondents, including through the administrative records information for Nonresponse Followup Cases: 10 the address. This mostly will include use of automated collection techniques minutes per response. those addresses where information Nonresponse Followup Quality or other forms of information collected during NRFU conflicts with Control Re-Interview Cases: 10 minutes technology. information we have from per response. Comments submitted in response to administrative records for that address. Non-ID Manual Processing Cases: 5 this notice will be summarized and/or Language Services minutes. included in the request for OMB Non-ID Respondent Validation: 10 approval of this information collection; Telephone questionnaire assistance minutes per response. they also will become a matter of public will be available in languages other than Administrative Records Followup: 10 record. English. minutes per response. Focus Groups: Dated: July 29, 2015. Focus Groups Focus Group Selection Contact: 3 Glenna Mickelson, To evaluate the use of new contact minutes per response. Management Analyst, Office of the Chief strategies, enumeration methods, and Focus Groups: 120 minutes per Information Officer. efforts to reduce burden, the Census response. [FR Doc. 2015–19005 Filed 8–3–15; 8:45 am] Bureau will conduct focus groups, Estimated Total Annual Burden tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES comprised of various categories of BILLING CODE 3510–07–P Hours: respondents and non-respondents. Self responders [Internet/Paper/ These focus groups are intended to Telephone]: 41,667 hours. gather information about respondent Nonresponse Followup Cases: 20,000 perspectives. Participants will be asked hours. about their experiences with the 2016 Nonresponse Followup Quality Census Test, including but not limited Control Re-Interview Cases: 2,000 hours. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:45 Aug 03, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\04AUN1.SGM 04AUN1


Document Created: 2015-12-18 14:51:31
Document Modified: 2015-12-18 14:51:31
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice.
DatesTo ensure consideration, written comments must be submitted on or before October 5, 2015.
ContactRequests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions should be directed to Robin Pennington, Census Bureau, HQ-4K065, Washington, DC 20233; (301) 763-8132 (or via email at [email protected]).
FR Citation80 FR 46239 
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