82 FR 51600 - Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Current Population Survey (CPS) Basic Demographic Items

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Census Bureau

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 214 (November 7, 2017)

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 82, Number 214 (Tuesday, November 7, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51600-51601]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-24209]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Current 
Population Survey (CPS) Basic Demographic Items

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 January 8, 2018.

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 [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Karen Woods, U.S. Census Bureau, 7H140F, 
Washington, DC 20133-8400 at (301) 763-3806.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Census Bureau plans to request clearance from the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for the collection of basic demographic 
information on the Current Population Survey (CPS) beginning in August 
2018. The current clearance expires July 31, 2018.
    The CPS has been the source of official government statistics on 
employment and unemployment for over 60 years. The Bureau of Labor 
Statistics (BLS) and the Census Bureau jointly sponsor the basic 
monthly survey. The Census Bureau also prepares and conducts all the 
field work. At the OMB's request, the Census Bureau and the BLS divide 
the clearance request in order to reflect the joint sponsorship and 
funding of the CPS program. The BLS submits a separate clearance 
request for the portion of the CPS that collects labor force 
information for the civilian noninstitutional population. Some of the 
information within that portion includes employment status, number of 
hours worked, job search activities, earnings, duration of 
unemployment, and the industry and occupation classification of the job 
held the previous week. The justification that follows is in support of 
the demographic data.
    The demographic information collected in the CPS provides a unique 
set of data on selected characteristics for the civilian 
noninstitutional population. Some of the demographic information we 
collect are age, marital status, sex, Armed Forces status, education, 
race, origin, and family income. We use these data in conjunction with 
other data, particularly the monthly labor force data, as well as 
periodic supplement data. We also use these data independently for 
internal analytic research and for evaluation of other surveys. In 
addition, we use these data as a control to produce accurate estimates 
of other personal characteristics.

II. Method of Collection

    The CPS basic demographic information is collected from individual 
households by both personal visit and telephone interviews each month. 
All interviews are conducted using computer-assisted interviewing. 
Households in the CPS are in sample for four consecutive months, and 
for the same four months the following year. This is called a 4-8-4 
rotation pattern; households are in sample for four months, in a 
resting period for eight months, and then in sample again for four 
months.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0607-0049.
    Form Number(s): There are no forms. All interviews are conducted on 
computers.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 59,000 per month.
    Estimated Time per Response: 1.5 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 17,700.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: There is no cost to the 
respondents other than their time.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C. Sections 8(b), 141, and 182.

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;

[[Page 51601]]

they also will become a matter of public record.

Sheleen Dumas,
Departmental PRA Lead, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2017-24209 Filed 11-6-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P