[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 28 (Friday, February 11, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7231-7232]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-2694]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of Economic Analysis


Generic Clearance for Pretesting Research

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 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 April 12, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obie G. Whichard, Chief, International 
Investment Division (BE-50), Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. 
Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230; phone (202) 606-9890 (or 
via the Internet at [email protected]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) is requesting OMB approval to 
conduct a variety of small-scale questionnaire pretesting activities 
under this generic clearance. A block of hours will be dedicated to 
these activities for each of the next three years. OMB will be informed 
in writing of the purpose and scope of each of these activities, as 
well as the time frame and the number of burden hours used. The number 
of hours used will not exceed the number set aside for this purpose.
    This research program will be used by BEA to improve questionnaires 
and procedures, reduce respondent burden, improve sample frames, and 
ultimately increase the quality of data collected in the bureau's 
surveys. The clearance will be used to conduct pretesting of surveys 
conducted by BEA prior to mailing the final survey packages to 
potential respondents. Pretesting activities will involve methods for 
identifying problems with the questionnaire or survey procedure such as 
the following: cognitive interviews, focus groups, respondent 
debriefing, behavior coding of respondent/ interviewer interaction, 
split panel tests, voluntary sample surveys (including automated 
surveys).

II. Method of Collection

    Any of the following methods may be used: Mail, telephone, face-to-
face, paper-and-pencil, or Internet.

III. Data

    OMB Number: Will be assigned by OMB.
    Form Number: Various.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit organizations, Not-
for-profit institutions, and State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 5,000 annually.
    Estimated Time Per Respondent: One hour.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 5,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: There is no cost to respondents, 
except for their time to complete the questionnaire, or take part in 
interviews.
    Respondent Obligation: Voluntary.

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 will 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)

[[Page 7232]]

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 will also become a matter of public record.

    Dated: February 8, 2005.
Madeleine Clayton,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 05-2694 Filed 2-10-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-06-P