[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