2010-25439. Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

In compliance with Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 concerning opportunity for public comment on proposed collections of information, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects. To request more information on the proposed projects or to obtain a copy of the information collection plans, call the SAMHSA Reports Clearance Officer on [phone].

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collections of information are 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 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.

Proposed Project: 2011-2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Methodological Field Tests (OMB No. 0930-0290-Revision)

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) is a survey of the civilian, non-institutionalized population of the United States 12 years old and older. The data are used to determine the prevalence of use of tobacco products, alcohol, illicit substances, and illicit use of prescription drugs. The results are used by SAMHSA, ONDCP, Federal government agencies, and other organizations and researchers to establish policy, direct program activities, and better allocate resources.

In March 2008, SAMHSA received a three-year renewal of its generic clearance for methodological field tests. This will be a request for another renewal of the generic approval to continue methodological tests over the next three years, with conditions similar to the previous clearance. These methodological tests will continue to be designed to examine the feasibility, quality, and efficiency of new procedures or revisions to existing survey protocol. Specifically, the tests will measure the reliability and validity of certain questionnaire sections and items through multiple measurements on a set of respondents; assess new methods for gaining cooperation and participation of respondents with the goal of increasing response and decreasing potential bias in the survey estimates; and assess the impact of new sampling techniques and technologies on respondent behavior and reporting. Research will involve focus groups, cognitive laboratory testing, field tests, and customer surveys.

The next wave of methodological tests will continue to examine ways to increase data quality, lower operating costs, and gain a better understanding of sources and effects of nonsampling error on the NSDUH estimates. Particular attention will be given to minimizing the impact of design changes so that survey data continue to remain comparable over time. If these tests provide successful results, current procedures or data collection instruments may be revised.

The number of respondents to be included in each field test will vary, depending on the nature of the subject being tested and the target population. However, the total estimated response burden is 8,251 hours. The exact number of subjects and burden hours for each test are unknown at this time, but will be clearly outlined in each individual submission. The table below, however, describes the anticipated burden for each of the major testing activities for which generic approval is being tested.

Estimated Burden for NSDUH Methodological Field Tests

Activity	Number of respondents	Responses per respondent	Total number of responses	Average burden per response (hrs.)	Total burden (hrs.)
a. Focus Groups	270	1	270	2.0	540
b. Cognitive laboratory testing	200	1	200	1.0	200
c. Field Tests	6,600	1	6,600	1.0	6,600
d. Customer Satisfaction Surveys	300	1	300	0.25	75
Household screening for c	8,910	1	8,910	0.083	740
Screening Verification for c	445	1	445	0.067	30
Interview Verification for c	990	1	990	0.067	66
Total	17,715		17,715		8,251
Annual Average (Total divided by 3 years)	5,905		5,905		2,750

Send comments to Summer King, SAMHSA Reports Clearance Officer, Room 8-1099, One Choke Cherry Road, Rockville, MD 20857 and e-mail a copy to [e-mail]. Written comments should be received within 60 days of this notice.

Dated: September 30, 2010.

Elaine Parry,

Director, Office of Management, Technology and Operations.