[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 196 (Tuesday, October 12, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55230-55231]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-26498]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Census Bureau
Census 2000 Content Reinterview Survey
ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.
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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 or continuing information collections, as required by the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C.
3506(c)(2)(A)).
DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before December 13,
1999.
ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room
5027, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230 (or via
the Internet at LEngelme@doc.gov).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions
should be directed to Joy Sharp, Census Bureau, Room 3484/3,
Washington, DC 20233; (301) 457-3869.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
As part of its plan to evaluate the quality of data collected in
the Census 2000, the Census Bureau plans to conduct the Census 2000
Content Reinterview Survey (CRS). The evaluation of the quality of data
collected in the Census 2000 is important for both data users and
census planners. Data users must have knowledge of the accuracy and
reliability of the data in order to make informed decisions about how
errors in the data may affect the conclusions they draw from analyzing
the data. Census planners require similar information to develop and
test methods to improve the overall quality of the data produced in
future censuses.
The methods used to collect and process census data are complex and
subject to error. One particular type of error, response error, arises
from the erroneous or unreliable reporting of characteristics. Response
error in the decennial census has traditionally been measured through
content reinterview surveys. The Census Bureau first began conducting a
census CRS after the 1950
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census and continued to conduct one for each of the following censuses.
The purpose of the CRS is twofold. First, it will be used to
estimate response variance for most items on the census long form. To
measure response variance, the reinterview will re-ask the same set of
questions applying, to the extent possible, similar survey procedures
and replicating a similar set of conditions. Secondly, the reinterview
will be used to make historical comparisons to previous studies of
census content error.
The CRS will attempt to evaluate errors introduced in the actual
collection and capture of the data. Contributors to response variance
include, but are not limited to, the following: questionnaire design,
interview administration mode, question wording, inadequate
instruction, interviewer effects, and deliberate falsification by the
respondent or interviewer. In addition, sources of procedural error
(e.g., scanning and data capture errors) will also be reflected in the
response variance.
II. Method of Collection
Approximately 25,000 housing units that are designated to receive
the census long form will be selected for reinterview purposes.
Approximately one month following census enumeration, Census Bureau
field representatives (FRs) will recontact selected households and
reinterview them by asking the identical items as posed by the
decennial long form. Only minor modifications will be made to the
census long form to account for needed reinterview instructions,
reference period changes, etc. The reinterview questionnaire will also
collect data on only one randomly selected person in the household to
reduce the burden placed on the household.
The mode of administration for the reinterview survey will be
telephone and personal visit and interviews will be conducted by each
of the twelve census regional offices. FRs will first attempt to reach
households by telephone; however, if a telephone number is not
available or there are other difficulties in reaching the household by
telephone, FRs will make a personal visit to the sampled household to
collect the requested information. The FR will administer the interview
using a paper questionnaire, similar to the census long form. To the
extent possible, all other interviewing procedures applied during the
reinterview will replicate those used during census enumeration.
Following the conclusion of data collection, reinterview data will
then be matched to a census data file. Data from these two sources will
then be analyzed to evaluate how responses provided during census
enumeration compare to those collected in the reinterview process.
An interviewer quality control program will check households
classified as ineligible for the CRS to detect and deter falsification.
Units with unacceptable within-household match rates will be revisited
to determine whether the interviewer conducted the CRS interview.
III. Data
OMB Number: Not Available.
Form Number: Not Available (The questionnaire is nearly identical
to the Census 2000 long form but will have a unique form number).
Type of Review: Regular submission.
Affected Public: Households.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 25,000.
Estimated Time Per Response: 20 minutes.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 8,333 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Cost: There is no cost to the respondent
other than the time to complete the information request.
Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
Legal Authority: Title 13 United States Code, 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 a 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
appropriate automated collection techniques or other forms of
information technology.
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized or
included in the request for OMB approval of this information
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.
Dated: October 6, 1999.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information
Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-26498 Filed 10-8-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P
