[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 31 (Wednesday, February 14, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5738-5739]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-2952]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Bureau of the Census
1996 Test Census--Enumerator Questionnaire
ACTION: Proposed Agency Information Collection Activity; 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 and/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 April 15, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Margaret L. Woody, Department
of Commerce, Room 5327, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington,
DC 20230.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should
be directed to Fred Borsa, Bureau of the Census, Room 1769, FOB #3,
Washington, DC 20233, (301) 457-2050.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
The 1996 Test Census is designed to test new and improved
methodologies for reducing the differential in the census results among
the various components of the population, and for containing costs
associated with conducting a census. The Census Bureau will use the
results of this test, in combination with other research, to decide how
to conduct the 2000 census. The test will be conducted in two rural
sites and one urban site with a combined housing unit total of about
10,000. The rural sites (roughly 2,000 housing units) will encompass
two American Indian reservations. The urban site (roughly 8,000 housing
units) will encompass six census tracts in Chicago, Illinois.
A primary objective for both the rural and urban components of the
test is to refine the Integrated Coverage Measurement (ICM) program.
Other objectives are listed below.
Major objectives for the rural component of the test:
Use and evaluate tribal ``administrative records,'' such
as tribal rolls, utility records, tribal school records, and tribal
voter registration as coverage improvement tools.
Use improved address list development and collection
methodology.
Implement and evaluate a ``partnership agreement'' with
the tribes, and expand the Tribal Liaison's role to include involvement
in census operational activities.
Test the use of statistical estimation techniques to
improve the enumeration of residents on American Indian reservations
and trust lands.
Major objectives for the urban component of the test:
Test the ICM program in a reengineered census setting.
Test techniques for measuring housing unit and
noninstitutional group quarters coverage in a census setting.
Test use of administrative records for coverage
improvement.
Test improved address listing techniques.
The 1996 Test Census will include four questionnaires--two self-
[[Page 5739]]
enumeration simple forms (consisting of basic population and housing
questions), a self-enumeration individual Census Report (used to gather
population information from residents of group quarters), and a self-
enumeration Be Counted form (used only in the rural sites and made
available at convenient locations for persons who did not receive a
questionnaire or believe they were not counted).
The two simple forms are identical in content, except for the
household rostering questions.
Another component of this test will be to evaluate two alternative
approaches to household rostering. One roster design, called the
``rosterless'' version, does not require the respondent to create a
traditional roster list. It includes an abbreviated set of instructions
on who should be included and not included, and ask the respondent to
provide the number of persons in the household. The second roster
design, called the ``extended'' roster, includes a sequential set of
reminders about whom to include, such as non-relatives as well as
related persons, mobile persons who may have more than one residence,
and persons with no usual residence.
Enumerator-administered questionnaires, identical in content to the
two simple forms discussed above, also will be used in this test to
conduct nonresponse followup operations for housing units that do not
return their questionnaires by mail. This request only addresses the
enumerator questionnaire.
II. Method of Collection
We will conduct a complete census in the three test sites. In the
rural sites, census enumerators will deliver the questionnaires to the
households. Respondents will be asked to complete the questionnaires
and return them by mail in the postage-paid envelopes. In the Urban
site, census questionnaires will be mailed to the housing units and
returned in postage-paid envelopes.
Those housing units that do not return a census questionnaire by
mail will be visited by enumerators who will conduct interviews using
enumerator-administered questionnaires.
III. Data
OMB Number: Not available.
Form Number: DT-1E (Enumerator Questionnaire).
Type of Review: Regular.
Affected Public: Individuals and households.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 6,500 Housing units.
Estimated Time Per Response: 5 minutes (DT-1E).
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: Total-541.66 hours. The burden
reflects time taken by field enumerators to complete the enumerator-
administered census questionnaires during nonresponse followup for the
65 percent of household that we expect will not respond by mail. The
burden for the enumerator forms, includes the portion of the form that
is completed for vacant units.
DT-1E=541.66 hours [5 minutes x 6500 housing units].
Estimated Total Annual Cost: Same as costs identified in previous
submission for this test.
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 estimates 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 records.
Margaret L. Woody,
Office of Management and Organization.
[FR Doc. 96-2952 Filed 2-13-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P
