[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 182 (Monday, September 21, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50209-50210]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-25153]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of the Census


The 1998 Public Opinion Survey

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, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3 
506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before November 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) should be directed 
to Joanne Dickinson, Bureau of the Census, Room 3015-3, Washington, DC 
20233, (301) 457-4081.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Census Bureau's core business is large-scale surveys and 
censuses. This involves the full range of activities required to 
produce data, including survey and instrument design and data 
collection, processing, and dissemination. Research and data analysis 
activities directly support its capabilities to conduct large-scale 
surveys and censuses. Therefore, the Census Bureau plans to conduct the 
1998 Public Opinion Survey (POS) to gather and benchmark useful and 
fundamental data about the public's perception of government 
information collection and its dissemination and use of the statistics 
it collects. Acknowledging steady declines in response rates to 
censuses and surveys, we would like to identify those barriers that 
inhibit responsiveness. As the preeminent collector and provider of 
timely, relevant, and quality data about the people and economy of the 
United States, we need also to better understand the public's values 
for its information and the public's awareness, exposure to, and use of 
statistical information that it disseminates to be more responsive to 
customers needs and preferences. Next, the Census Bureau needs to 
better inform and educate its staff about the public's opinions of this 
agency and its practices to help them better target communications and 
to more effectively converse with them. Finally, the Census Bureau 
would like to use this input to redefine its strategic goals and 
activities in the post-2000 period.
    The Census Bureau wants to endow all its employees with the 
findings from this research to help them to individually and to 
collectively implement the timely findings and recommendations from 
this research. It is essential that the Census Bureau

[[Page 50210]]

improve the focus and effectiveness of communications about census 2000 
and other programs. With response rates sliding downward in general and 
the Census Bureau's need to maintain and/or improve response rates to 
its various censuses and surveys, most especially the census 2000, it 
is imperative that we identify and develop effective mechanisms and 
communications that will help identify and to remove barriers to 
response. Equally significant to the Census Bureau's current plans for 
effective outreach and targeted promotions is the need for early 
identification and removal of barriers that limit or prohibit effective 
communications with the public. We also need to share these findings 
and recommendations about the public's mind set with Census Bureau 
management as they prepare to redefine customer-focused strategic goals 
and activities for the post-2000 era.
    This research would complement and extend earlier research 
sponsored by the Census Bureau. These studies focused on the public's 
knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions about the Census Bureau and its 
practices. The 1998 POS will bridge the gap of information collected 
earlier about the specific public perceptions. This research will 
further define/refine for the Census Bureau the public's image of it in 
general, as a Federal Government agency, and as a statistics' collector 
and provider. To more effectively inform, educate, and reach the public 
with its communications, the Census Bureau needs to know how the public 
sees, hears, reads, gets, or uses statistics and how it can more 
effectively inform, educate, reach and/or involve them in forthcoming 
activities.

II. Method of Collection

    A contractor will conduct the national survey with telephone 
interviewing using an automated survey instrument and a list-assisted 
random digit dialing (RDD) sampling design. The RDD methodology will 
incorporate a number of peripheral survey techniques that have been 
shown to raise response rates. By applying results and recommendations 
from earlier research, the Census Bureau will collect accurate and 
reliable data with a maximal response rate and minimal bias.

III. Data

    OMB Number: Not available.
    Form Numbers: The automated survey instrument will not have a form 
number.
    Type of Review: Regular review.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,200.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 15 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 300.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: The only cost to the respondents in 
participating is that of their time.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: Title 13 United States Code, Section 193.

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 0MB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: September 15, 1998.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information 
Officer.
[FR Doc. 98-25153 Filed 9-18-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P