[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 14 (Monday, January 22, 1996)] [Notices] [Pages 1558-1559] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-747] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Bureau of the Census Questionnaire Pretesting Research Addendum ACTION: Proposed agency information collection activity; comment request. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 March 22, 1996. ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Margaret 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(s) and instructions should be directed to Theresa J. DeMaio, U.S. Bureau of the Census, Room 3127, FOB 4, Washington, DC 20233-9150, (301) 457-4894. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Abstract: This research program is used by the Census Bureau and survey sponsors to improve questionnaires and procedures, reduce respondent burden, and ultimately increase the quality of data collected in the Census Bureau censuses and surveys. The clearance is a generic approval for this type of work with an annual respondent burden hour ceiling. The Census Bureau is planning a revision to the program to include quick tests for improving the 2000 Decennial Census of Population and Housing. The additional tests will add 7,500 respondent burden hours to the clearance on an annual basis. II. Method of Collection: Mail, telephone, face-to-face. III. Data OMB Number: 0607-0725. Form Number: Various. Type of Review: Regular. Affected Public: Individuals or Households, Farms, Business or other for-profit institutions. Estimated Number of Respondents: 12,000. Estimated Time Per Response: 1 hour. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 12,000. Estimated Total Annual Cost: There is no way to anticipate the actual number of participants, length of interview, and/or mode of data collection for the survey and census activities to be conducted under this clearance. Given that the ``quick testing'' includes refining or improving upon positive or unclear results from other tests or new ideas, it is impossible to estimate in advance the cost to the Federal government. But the overall goal of this revision is to give the Census Bureau opportunities to do quick testing that will yield information to reduce overall costs of the 2000 decennial census program. 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 [[Page 1559]] agency's estimate 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 record. Dated: January 16, 1996. Margaret Woody, Office of Management and Organization. [FR Doc. 96-747 Filed 1-19-96; 8:45 a.m.] BILLING CODE 3510-07-P