[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 11 (Thursday, January 16, 2014)] [Notices] [Page 2852] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2014-00705] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Office of the Secretary [Document Identifier 21226-60D] Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Public Comment Request AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, HHS. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In compliance with section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of the Secretary (OS), Department of Health and Human Services, announces plans to submit a new Information Collection Request (ICR), described below, to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Prior to submitting that ICR to OMB, OS seeks comments from the public regarding the burden estimate below or any other aspect of the ICR. DATES: Comments on the ICR must be received on or before March 17, 2014. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments to [email protected] or by calling (202) 690-6162. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Information Collection Clearance staff, [email protected] or (202) 690-6162. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: When submitting comments or requesting information, please include the document identifier 21226-60D for reference. Information Collection Request Title: ASPE Generic Clearance for the Collection of Qualitative Research and Assessment. Abstract: The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) is requesting a generic clearance from the OMB for purposes of conducting qualitative research. 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, agencies and offices have recent data and information to inform program and policy decision-making. Need and Proposed Use of the Information: ASPE's mission is to advise 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 research and evaluation studies, develops policy analyses, and estimates the cost and benefits of policy alternatives for HHS related programs. The goal of developing these activities is to identify emerging policy issues and research gaps to ensure the successful implementation of HHS programs. Likely Respondents: Policy experts, national, state and local health representatives, healthcare providers, and representatives of other health organizations. Burden Statement: Burden in this context means the time expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, disclose or provide the information requested. This includes the time needed to review instructions, to develop, acquire, install and utilize technology and systems for the purpose of collecting, validating and verifying information, processing and maintaining information, and disclosing and providing information, to train personnel and to be able to respond to a collection of information, to search data sources, to complete and review the collection of information, and to transmit or otherwise disclose the information. The total annual burden hours estimated for this ICR are summarized in the table below. Total Estimated Annualized Burden--Hours ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of Average burden Form name Number of responses per per response Total burden respondents respondent (in hours) hours ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Interviews, focus groups, questionnaires and 747 1 1 747 other qualitative methods.................. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OS specifically requests comments on (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. Keith A. Tucker, Information Collection Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 2014-00705 Filed 1-15-14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4150-05-P