[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 142 (Monday, July 26, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40392-40393]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-19003]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Proposed Collection; Comment Request
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance
consultation
[[Page 40393]]
program to provide the general public and Federal agencies an
opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of
information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
(PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps to ensure that
requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden
(time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are
clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on
respondents can be properly assessed.
DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the
Addresses section of this notice on or before September 24, 1999.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics is particularly interested in
comments which:
Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency,
including whether the information will have practical utility;
Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the
burden of the proposed collection of information, including the
validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and
Minimize the burden of the collection of information on
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection
techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting
electronic submissions of responses.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to Karin G. Kurz, BLS Clearance Officer,
Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Room 3255,
2 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E., Washington, DC 20212. Ms. Kurz can be
reached on 202-606-7628 (this is not a toll free number).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karin G. Kurz, BLS Clearance Officer.
(See ADDRESSES section).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Proposed Collection
Currently, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is soliciting
comments concerning the proposed revision of the ``Cognitive and
Psychological Research.'' A copy of the proposed information collection
request (ICR) can be obtained by contacting the individual listed in
the ADDRESSES section of this notice.
II. Background
The Bureau of Labor Statistics' Behavior Science Research
Laboratory (BSRL) conducts theoretical, applied, and evaluative
research aimed at improving the quality of data collected and published
by the BLS. Since its creation in 1988, the BSRL has advanced the study
of survey methods research, approaching issues of non-sampling error
within a framework that draws heavily on the theories and methods of
the cognitive, statistical and social sciences. The BSRL research
focuses primarily on the assessment of survey instrument design and
survey administration, as well as on issues related to interviewer
training and the interview process. Improvements in these areas result
in better accuracy and response rates of BLS surveys, frequently reduce
costs in training and survey administration, and further ensure the
effectiveness of the overall BLS mission.
III. Current Actions
The purpose of this request for clearance is to conduct cognitive
and psychological research designed to enhance the quality of BLS data
collection procedures and overall data management. The BLS is committed
to producing the most accurate and complete data within the highest
quality assurance guidelines. The BSRL was created to aid in this
effort, and over the past decade it has demonstrated the effectiveness
and value of its approach. Over the next few years, demand for BSRL
consultation is expected to rise, as information processing approaches
to survey methods research become more common. Moreover, as the use of
computers and web-based surveys continues to grow, so too will the need
for careful tests of instrument design and usability, human-computer
interactions, and other potential problems in data quality that these
technologies bring. The BSRL is uniquely equipped to accommodate these
demands.
Much of the work done by the BSRL is conducted under controlled
laboratory conditions, and relies on the participation of volunteer
subjects recruited from the general public. Retaining subjects as BSRL
participants for multiple studies is necessary to minimize the costs of
recruitment, and is often methodologically essential for studies
investigating temporal effects or the effects of multiple treatments on
subject responses. Competition with private research establishments, a
perceived high burden to compensation ratio, and travel or scheduling
constraints often result in individuals dropping from BSRL rolls after
only one study.
The revisions in this submission reflect an effort to reverse
recent trends in BSRL subject attrition, and to accommodate increasing
interest by BLS statistical program offices and other agencies in the
methods used and results obtained by the BSRL. This submission reflects
planned research and development activities for Fiscal Year 2000
through Fiscal Year 2002; its approval will enable the continued
productivity of a state-of-the-art, multi-disciplinary program of
behavioral science research to improve BLS survey methodology.
Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
Agency: Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Title: Cognitive and Psychological Research.
OMB Number: 1220-0141.
Affected Public: Individuals and Households; business and other
for-profit; not-for-profit institutions; State, Local, or Tribal
Government.
Total Respondents: 4,000.
Frequency: On occasion.
Total Responses: 4,000.
Average Time Per Response: 60 minutes.
Estimated Total Burden Hours: 4,000 hours.
Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0
Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $0.
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized
and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget
approval of the information collection request; they also will become a
matter of public record.
Signed at Washington, DC, this 20th day of July 1999.
W. Stuart Rust, Jr.,
Chief, Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
[FR Doc. 99-19003 Filed 7-23-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-24-M