[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 184 (Friday, September 22, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49249-49250]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-23524]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Bureau of the Census
Notice of Proposal To Submit an Information Collection to the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-submission
consultation program to provide the general public and other Federal
agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing
information collections before they are submitted to OMB for review.
This program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the
desired format, reporting burden is minimized, reporting forms are
clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on
respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, the Census Bureau,
within the Department of Commerce, is soliciting comments concerning
its plans to submit the Annual Demographic Survey (ADS), which we
conduct in conjunction with the March 1996 Current Population Survey
(CPS), to OMB for review.
DATES: Submit written comments on or before (insert 60 days after
publication date). If you anticipate that you will be submitting
comments, but find it difficult to do so within the period of time
allowed by this notice, you should advise the contact listed below of
your intention to do so as soon as possible.
ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Gerald Tache, Departmental
Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 5312, 14th and
Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information,
or copies of the information collection instrument and survey
procedures should be directed to Oscar Perez, Bureau of the Census, FOB
3, Room 3340, Washington, DC 20233-8400, (301) 457-3806.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
The Bureau of the Census conducts the ADS in conjunction with the
March 1996 CPS. The Bureau of the Census has conducted this supplement
annually for over 40 years. It is authorized by Title 13, United States
Code, Section 182; and Title 29, United States Code, Sections 1-9. The
Bureau of the Census, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the
Department of Health and Human Services sponsor this supplement.
The work experience items provide a unique measure of the dynamic
nature of the labor force as viewed over a one year period. These items
produce statistics that show movements in and out of the labor force by
measuring the number of periods of unemployment experienced by persons,
the number of different employers worked for during the year, the
principal reasons for unemployment, and part-/full-time attachment to
the labor force. We can make indirect measurements of discouraged
workers and others with a casual attachment to the labor market.
The income data from the ADS are used by social planners,
economists, Government officials, and market researchers to gauge the
economic well-being of the Nation as a whole, and selected population
groups of interest. Government planners and researchers use these data
to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of various assistance
programs. Market researchers use these data to identify and isolate
potential customers. Social planners use these data for forecasting
economic conditions and to identify special groups that seem to be
especially sensitive to economic fluctuations. Economists use March
data to determine the effects of various economic forces such as
inflation, recession, recovery, etc., and their differential effects on
various population groups.
A prime statistic of interest is the classification of persons as
being in poverty and how this measurement has changed over time for
various groups. Researchers evaluate March income data not only to
determine poverty levels but also to determine whether Government
programs are reaching eligible households.
II. Current Actions
The March 1996 supplement instrument will consist of the same items
that were included in the March 1995 instrument, with the following
changes:
A. In the migration series, we are eliminating the 1995 questions
that asked about migration five years ago. In 1996, the migration
series will ask only about migration one year ago.
B. We are reformatting a number of income items to allow reporting
the amounts' periodicity on a more detailed basis than strictly annual,
and to ensure consistency with all other income items. In 1995, we
reformatted selected income items in this manner, and they resulted in
better income data. The items we are reformatting in 1996 include:
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Item No. Item description
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Q48b Self-employment earnings from longest job.
Q49B2 Other self-employment earnings.
Q49B3 Other farm income.
Q60A88 Veteran's benefits (this series collects income amounts
for up to two sources).
Q58a Survivor benefits (this series collects income amounts
for up to three sources).
Q61b Disability benefits (this series collects income amounts
for up to two sources).
Q63A1 through Interest income.
Q63A3
Q64a Dividend income.
Q65A1 through Rents, royalties, estates and trusts.
Q65A3
Q66b Educational assistance.
Q73A1 and Other income.
Q73A2
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C. We are making minor wording changes in a few items; for example:
1. Changed the wording (for all periodicity-based income questions)
from ``biweekly'' to ``every other week,'' and ``twice monthly'' to
``twice a month.''
2. Changed the statement for Item Q63c (interest income) to ``Only
include
[[Page 49250]]
interest received from U.S. Savings Bonds cashed during 1995.''
D. We are deleting some items based on suggestions from
interviewers and other staff. These items are CHK50A, Q50b, and Q50b-
add (additional farm income series).
E. We are adding some items based on suggestions from data users:
1. We will identify persons covered by AFDC and food stamps.
2. We will collect eligibility reasons for receipt of Social
Security and/or Social Security Income.
3. We will add a question that will identify child recipients of
Social Security and Social Security Income.
III. Request for Comments
Prospective respondents and other interested parties should comment
on the actions discussed in Item II. The following general guidelines
are provided to assist in the preparation of responses. Please include
the name of this information collection, the Annual Demographic Survey,
in your comments.
As a potential data user:
A. Have you ever used the Annual Demographic Survey data from the
CPS?
B. If so, will any of the proposed changes described in Section II
adversely affect your analyses? If yes, please explain.
C. In general, do you agree or disagree that the modifications
listed in Section II should be adopted? Please be specific.
D. As a user of these data, can you suggest modifications to the
proposed items that, if incorporated, would better serve your
analytical needs? If so, please submit your suggested changes with a
short statement describing the perceived benefits.
As a potential respondent:
A. We estimate that it will take the average respondent about 25
minutes to answer the appropriate questions. Is this a reasonable
burden?
B. Are the questions sensitive in nature? If so, please be specific
in describing why.
C. Are the questions understandable and framed in a sensible
manner? If not, what items are confusing and how should we clarify
them?
D. In your opinion, could a proxy respondent (i.e., one household
member providing information for another household member) provide
complete and accurate answers? If not, why?
E. Do you have any suggestions on ways of reducing the burden
associated with responding to this information collection?
The Census Bureau is also interested in receiving comments from
persons regarding their views on the need for this information
collection.
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: September 18, 1995.
Gerald Tache,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and
Organization.
[FR Doc. 95-23524 Filed 9-21-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P
