[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 96 (Tuesday, May 19, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27559-27560]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-13171]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of the Census


Field Representative Exit Questionnaire

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.

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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, Pub. L. 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before July 20, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, 
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, 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 Geraldine Burt, Census/Field Division, Room 1684/
FOB 3, Washington, DC 20233-4400, and 301-457-1935.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    Retention of trained field interviewing staff is a major concern 
for the Census Bureau because of both the monetary costs associated 
with employee turnover, as well as the potential impact on data 
quality. The Field Representative Exit Survey is used to collect data 
from a sample of our former current survey interviewers (field 
representatives) and Nonresponse Follow-up (NRFU) and Quality Check 
(QC) interviewers (enumerators) employed during census operations. The 
purpose of the survey is to determine the reasons for interviewer 
turnover and what the Bureau might have done or do to influence 
interviewing staff not to leave.
    In addition to using form BC-1294 to collect data from field 
representatives who have left the Bureau, we will use Form BC-1294(D) 
to collect data from dress rehearsal and census enumerators on the 
factors that affected their decision as to whether to stay with an 
operation until it was completed. Since the nature of census enumerator 
work differs from current surveys interviewing (short term, intensive 
and concentrated work rather than continuing and diverse) we could not 
use the existing questionnaire, ``as-is.'' The questions and response 
choices on the BC-1294(D) have been tailored to census operations and 
are more in-depth, although they cover largely the same topics as the 
BC-1294. Additionally, questions about a supplemental pay plan are 
included on the BC-1294(D). The 1998 Dress Rehearsal is the Bureau's 
final opportunity to test its planned operations and procedures in a 
simulated census environment in preparation for the 2000 Census. 
Interviewer turnover is of heightened concern during a decennial census 
because of the short time periods for data collection operations. 
Because of this heightened concern, Form BC-1294(D) was recently added 
to this clearance.
    The information collected via the survey will help the Census 
Bureau develop plans to reduce turnover in its current survey and 
decennial interviewing staff. This in turn should allow for better 
informed management decisions regarding the field work force and the 
implementation of more effective pay plans and interviewer training for 
both current and decennial interviewers. Prior research has suggested a 
need for a more flexible pay plan for the decennial interviewing staff 
in order to recruit sufficient number of interviewers and reduce 
turnover. As part of the 1998 Dress Rehearsal, the Census Bureau will 
be testing a supplemental pay plan in which pay rates are tied to the 
local labor market and based partially on interviewer performance and 
whether interviewers stay to complete their assignments. Questions on 
the experimental decennial pay plans asked of dress rehearsal 
enumerators will be used to determine the impact of the variable and 
supplemental pay rates on enumerator turnover as well as the impact and 
effectiveness of decennial enumerator training.

II. Method of Collection

    The data will be collected by telephone. Interviews with former 
field representatives should take no more than five (5) minutes. 
Because of the in-depth nature of some of the questions on the BC-
1294(D) and the additional questions on the experimental decennial pay 
plans, interviews with former NRFU and QC enumerators should take no 
more than fifteen (15) minutes. We estimate that interviews will be 
conducted with a total of 160 field representatives and about 2,500 
enumerators on a yearly basis.
    For former field representatives: Approximately every month, a 
sample of one-half of all interviewers who voluntarily resigned within 
the period will be contacted by telephone to complete a questionnaire.
    For 1998 Dress Rehearsal enumerators: Beginning approximately two 
weeks after the start of NRFU and QC operations, all enumerators who 
have continuously been in a non-pay status for a period of two weeks 
will be contacted by telephone to complete a questionnaire.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0607-0404.
    Form Number: BC-1294, BC-1294(D).
    Type of Review: Regular Submission.
    Affected Public: Former Bureau Interviewers (Field Representatives 
and Enumerators).
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 160 Former Current Survey 
Interviewers; 2,500 Former Dress Rehearsal Enumerators.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 5 minutes for former current survey 
interviewers; 15 minutes for dress rehearsal enumerators.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 13 hours for former current 
survey interviewers; 625 hours for dress rehearsal enumerators; Total 
is 638 hours.

[[Page 27560]]

    Estimated Total Annual Cost: The only cost to respondents is that 
of their time.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: Title 5 USC, Section 3101 and Title 13 USC Section 
23.

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 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: May 12, 1998.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 98-13171 Filed 5-18-98; 8:45 am]
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