SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title of the Collection: ASPE Umbrella Generic Clearance for the Collection of Qualitative Research and Assessment.

Type of Collection: Extension of an Umbrella Generic Clearance.

OMB No. 0990-0421.

Abstract

The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) is requesting an extension without changes for their umbrella generic clearance for purposes of conducting qualitative research. ASPE advises the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services on policy development in health, disability, human services, data, and science, and provides advice and analysis on economic policy. ASPE leads special initiatives, coordinates the Department's evaluation, research, and demonstration activities, and manages cross-Department planning activities such as strategic planning, legislative planning, and review of regulations. Integral to this role, ASPE conducts qualitative research to gain a better understanding of emerging health policy issues, develop future intramural and extramural research projects, and to ensure HHS leadership and agencies have relevant data for evidence-based program and policy decision-making. These efforts often require quick planning and implementation to ensure timely data collection and information around emergent areas of interest. ASPE is requesting approval for at least four types of qualitative research: (a) interviews, (b) focus groups, (c) questionnaires, and (d) other qualitative methods. Data collection will take place through a variety of activities—both in-person and virtual—dependent on the specific project. ASPE will submit individual requests under this clearance, as they are planned.

The goal of developing these activities is to gather timely information and first-hand perspectives on priority policy-relevant topics and identify emerging issues and research gaps to ensure the successful implementation of HHS programs. Qualitative data and information collected from activities carried out under this generic clearance will inform internal analyses, surface areas for further research, and provide opportunities for engagement and collaboration with key stakeholders. Feedback collected under this generic clearance provides useful information, but it does not yield data that can be generalized to the overall population. This type of generic clearance for qualitative information will not be used for quantitative information collections that are designed to yield reliably actionable results, such as monitoring trends over time or documenting program performance.

ASPE is requesting comments on the burden for qualitative research aimed at understanding emerging health and human services policy issues.

Respondents: Participants may include health and human services experts; national, state, and local health or human services representatives; public health, human services, or healthcare providers; representatives of other health or human services organizations, and people with lived experience.

Annual Burden Estimates: The anticipated annualized burden is expected to increase slightly from what is currently approved to account for additional research efforts to be responsive to emerging leadership priorities and interest in broad-based input. ( printed page 68154)

Comments: Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including any of the following subjects: (1) The necessity and utility of the proposed information collection for the proper performance of the agency's functions; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology to minimize the information collection burden.

91 FR 68153