[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 122 (Monday, June 26, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36345-36346]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-10025]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[60Day-06-06BJ]


Proposed Data Collections Submitted for Public Comment and 
Recommendations

    In compliance with the requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 for opportunity for public comment on 
proposed data collection projects, the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC) will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects. 
To request more information on the proposed projects or to obtain a 
copy of the data collection plans and instruments, call 404-639-5960 
and send comments to Seleda Perryman, CDC Assistant Reports Clearance 
Officer, 1600 Clifton Road, MS-D74, Atlanta, GA 30333 or send an e-mail 
to [email protected]. 
    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 of the 
proposed collection of information; (c)

[[Page 36346]]

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. Written 
comments should be received within 60 days of this notice.

Proposed Project

    Experiment in Mapping Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance Survey 
(BRFSS) Data--NEW--National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and 
Health Promotion (NCCDPHP), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
(CDC).

Background and Brief Description

    The purpose of this study is to design and implement a Web-based 
interview examining the differential effectiveness of presenting BRFSS 
data in two different mapping formats, choropleth versus isopleth maps. 
Traditionally, geospatial data are presented in choropleth maps, where 
defined geographic units, such as county or state boundaries, are 
filled with a uniform color or pattern. Choropleth maps present data as 
geographic areas shaded with intensity proportional to the data values 
associated with those areas. Such maps are appropriate for data that 
have been scaled or normalized. Alternatively, geospatial data can be 
displayed using isopleth maps, in which the data are not aggregated to 
pre-defined geographic units, but instead are ``smoothed'' across 
adjacent geographic boundaries. Such maps may show county or state 
boundaries, but different categories of data are not defined by these 
geographic units. Little empirical research has examined the 
differential effectiveness of choropleth versus isopleth maps. In 
particular, researchers know little about how the two different mapping 
techniques affect the user's ability to extract information from the 
map.
    The Web-based interview will present both choropleth and isopleth 
maps displaying BRFSS data in seven color categories. To maintain a low 
survey burden for each participant, the instrument will include only 4 
questions for each of 10 maps. The interview will also include 
additional questions about respondent's preferences for map types and 
background characteristics. The survey instrument will be comprised of 
50 items, including the 40 map questions, 4 questions about users' 
preferences for different map formats, and 6 questions about their 
educational and professional background and demographic 
characteristics. Analysis of the data will assess 4 key areas to 
determine which type of map is ideal for presenting BRFSS data:
    1. Rate retrieval
    2. Pattern recognition
    3. Ease of understanding
    4. User preferences
    The results of these analyses will be presented in a final report 
to be submitted to the CDC. There are no costs to respondents other 
than their time.

                                        Estimated Annualized Burden Hours
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                                                                  Number of     Average  burden
                 Respondents                     Number of      responses per    per  response     Total burden
                                                respondents       respondent       (in hrs.)          hours
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Experiment in Mapping BRFSS Data............             400                1            30/60              200
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    Total...................................  ...............  ...............  ...............             200
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    Dated: June 19, 2006.
Joan F. Karr,
Acting Reports Clearance Officer, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention.
[FR Doc. E6-10025 Filed 6-23-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P