[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 196 (Tuesday, October 12, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55230-55231]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-26498]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


Census 2000 Content Reinterview 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 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 December 13, 
1999.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, 
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 
5027, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230 (or via 
the Internet at LE[email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Joy Sharp, Census Bureau, Room 3484/3, 
Washington, DC 20233; (301) 457-3869.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    As part of its plan to evaluate the quality of data collected in 
the Census 2000, the Census Bureau plans to conduct the Census 2000 
Content Reinterview Survey (CRS). The evaluation of the quality of data 
collected in the Census 2000 is important for both data users and 
census planners. Data users must have knowledge of the accuracy and 
reliability of the data in order to make informed decisions about how 
errors in the data may affect the conclusions they draw from analyzing 
the data. Census planners require similar information to develop and 
test methods to improve the overall quality of the data produced in 
future censuses.
    The methods used to collect and process census data are complex and 
subject to error. One particular type of error, response error, arises 
from the erroneous or unreliable reporting of characteristics. Response 
error in the decennial census has traditionally been measured through 
content reinterview surveys. The Census Bureau first began conducting a 
census CRS after the 1950

[[Page 55231]]

census and continued to conduct one for each of the following censuses.
    The purpose of the CRS is twofold. First, it will be used to 
estimate response variance for most items on the census long form. To 
measure response variance, the reinterview will re-ask the same set of 
questions applying, to the extent possible, similar survey procedures 
and replicating a similar set of conditions. Secondly, the reinterview 
will be used to make historical comparisons to previous studies of 
census content error.
    The CRS will attempt to evaluate errors introduced in the actual 
collection and capture of the data. Contributors to response variance 
include, but are not limited to, the following: questionnaire design, 
interview administration mode, question wording, inadequate 
instruction, interviewer effects, and deliberate falsification by the 
respondent or interviewer. In addition, sources of procedural error 
(e.g., scanning and data capture errors) will also be reflected in the 
response variance.

II. Method of Collection

    Approximately 25,000 housing units that are designated to receive 
the census long form will be selected for reinterview purposes. 
Approximately one month following census enumeration, Census Bureau 
field representatives (FRs) will recontact selected households and 
reinterview them by asking the identical items as posed by the 
decennial long form. Only minor modifications will be made to the 
census long form to account for needed reinterview instructions, 
reference period changes, etc. The reinterview questionnaire will also 
collect data on only one randomly selected person in the household to 
reduce the burden placed on the household.
    The mode of administration for the reinterview survey will be 
telephone and personal visit and interviews will be conducted by each 
of the twelve census regional offices. FRs will first attempt to reach 
households by telephone; however, if a telephone number is not 
available or there are other difficulties in reaching the household by 
telephone, FRs will make a personal visit to the sampled household to 
collect the requested information. The FR will administer the interview 
using a paper questionnaire, similar to the census long form. To the 
extent possible, all other interviewing procedures applied during the 
reinterview will replicate those used during census enumeration.
    Following the conclusion of data collection, reinterview data will 
then be matched to a census data file. Data from these two sources will 
then be analyzed to evaluate how responses provided during census 
enumeration compare to those collected in the reinterview process.
    An interviewer quality control program will check households 
classified as ineligible for the CRS to detect and deter falsification. 
Units with unacceptable within-household match rates will be revisited 
to determine whether the interviewer conducted the CRS interview.

III. Data

    OMB Number: Not Available.
    Form Number: Not Available (The questionnaire is nearly identical 
to the Census 2000 long form but will have a unique form number).
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 25,000.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 20 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 8,333 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: There is no cost to the respondent 
other than the time to complete the information request.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: Title 13 United States Code, Sections 141 and 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 a 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 
appropriate automated collection techniques or other forms of 
information technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized or 
included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: October 6, 1999.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information 
Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-26498 Filed 10-8-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P