[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 140 (Friday, July 19, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37768-37769]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-18380]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Bureau of Labor Statistics


Proposed Collections; Comment Request; Notice

SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance 
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies 
with 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. 
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 below in the 
addressee section of this notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
addressee section below on or before September 17, 1996. BLS is 
particularly interested in comments which help the agency to:
     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

[[Page 37769]]

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, D.C. 20212. Ms Kurz can be 
reached on 202--606-7628 (this is not a toll free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Bureau of Labor Statistics' Behavioral Science Research 
Laboratory (BSSRL) conducts cognitive psychological research in design 
and execution of the data collection process in order to improve the 
quality of data collected by the Bureau. BSRL conducts research aimed 
at improving data collection quality by assessing questionnaire and 
form management and administration, as well as issues which relate to 
interviewer training and interaction with respondents in the interview 
process. BSRL staff work closely with the economists and/or program 
specialists responsible for defining the concepts to be measured by the 
Bureau's collection programs. Questionnaire and forms are used in the 
Bureau's surveys.
    Questionnaires specify the preferred wording of the questions to be 
asked, whereas forms specify the data items to be collected. Each 
possesses distinctive problems, which in many cases can be related to 
respondent characteristics, survey content, or format of 
administration. Such problems impede the effectiveness of particular 
surveys and the mission of the Bureau in general.

II. Current Actions

    The purpose of this request for clearance for cognitive and 
psychological research and development activities by the BSRL is to 
enhance the quality of the Bureau's data collection procedures and 
overall data management. The basic goal of the BSRL is to improve 
through interdisciplinary research the quality of the data collected 
and published by the BLS. BLS is committed to producing the most 
accurate and complete data within the highest quality assurance 
guidelines. With this in mind, the BSRL was created to aid in the 
effort of not only maintaining, duty also improving the quality of the 
data collection process.
    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 or households.
    Total Respondents: 3000.
    Frequency: One-time.
    Total Responses: 3000.
    Average Time Per Response: 1 Hour.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 3000 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, D.C., this 11th day of July, 1996.
Peter T. Spolarich,
Chief, Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
[FR Doc. 96-18380 Filed 7-18-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-24-M