[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 137 (Tuesday, July 17, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 37209]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-17782]



[[Page 37209]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


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, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before September 17, 
2001.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Madeleine Clayton, 
Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 
6086, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via 
the Internet at [email protected]).

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 1784/
FOB 3, Washington, DC 20233-4400, and 307-457-1935.

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 decennial operations interviewers (enumerators). 
The purpose of the Field Representative Exit Survey is to determine the 
reasons for interviewer turnover and what the Census Bureau might do to 
help reduce its turnover rate for interviewing staff.
    We will use Form BC-1294 to collect data from field representatives 
who leave the Census Bureau. We will use Form BC-1294(D) to collect 
data from the enumerators hired to work on the 2010 Test Census in 
2003/2004 who stop working before the operation for which they were 
hired is completed. Both forms ask questions about the factors that 
affected an interviewer's decision as to whether to stay with the 
Census Bureau. The BC-1294 and BC-1294(D) cover the same topics, but 
the questions and response choices on the BC-1294 (D) have been 
tailored to decennial census operations.
    The 2010 Test Censuses (the first of which is scheduled to be 
conducted in 2004) will be used by the Census Bureau to test and 
experiment with procedures in a simulated census environment in 
preparation for the 2010 Census. It is expected that some early 
operations for the 2004 Test will begin in 2003. Interviewer turnover 
is of heightened concern during a decennial census because of the short 
time periods for data collection operations.
    The information collected via the Field Representative Exit 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, interviewer 
training and retention strategies for both current and decennial 
interviewers.

II. Method of Collection

    The data will be collected by telephone. Interviews with former 
field representatives should take approximately seven (7) minutes. The 
form BC-1294(D) contains a few more questions related to decennial pay 
and work conditions and interviews with former enumerators should take 
approximately ten (10) minutes. We estimate that interviews will be 
conducted with a total of 500 field representatives on a yearly basis. 
The first 2010 Test Census is scheduled for 2004 with initial hiring to 
begin in 2003 for early operations. It is estimated that interviews 
will be conducted with 375 former enumerators in 2003/2004.
    Approximately every month, a sample of one-half of all field 
representatives who voluntarily resigned within the period will be 
contacted by telephone to complete a BC-1294 questionnaire. Beginning 
approximately two weeks after the start of 2010 Test Census operations, 
a sample of enumerators who have continuously been in a non-pay status 
for a period of two weeks will be contacted by telephone to complete a 
BC-1294(D) questionnaire.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0607-0404.
    Form Number: BC-1294, BC-1294(D).
    Type of Review: Regular Submission.
    Affected Public: Former Census Bureau Interviewers (Field 
Representatives and Enumerators).
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 500 Former Current Survey 
Interviewers; 375 Former 2010 Test Census Enumerators.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 7 minutes for Former Current Survey 
Interviewers; 10 minutes for Test Census Enumerators.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours

FY02--59 hours for former Current Survey Interviewers
0 hours for former 2010 Test Census Enumerators
59 Total Hours

FY03--59 hours for former Current Survey Interviewers
0 hours for former 2010 Test Census Enumerators
59 Total Hours

FY04--59 hours for former Current Survey Interviewers
63 hours for former 2010 Test Census Enumerators
122 Total Hours

    Estimated Total Annual Cost: The only cost to respondents is their 
time.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.

    Legal Authority: Title 15 U.S.C. 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: July 12, 2001.
Madeleine Clayton,
Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief 
Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 01-17782 Filed 7-16-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P