[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 168 (Wednesday, August 30, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51571-51572]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-14358]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


2007 Census Bilingual Form Study

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 October 30, 
2006.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Room 6625, 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 instruments and instructions 
should be directed to Kathleen Styles, U.S. Census Bureau, Room 3H075, 
Washington, DC 20233-9200, 301-763-3460 (or via the Internet at 
[email protected]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    In September 2005, the Census Bureau conducted the 2005 National 
Census Test (NCT) to evaluate a variety of short form questionnaire 
content and design modification, and the effect of a bilingual 
questionnaire on response rates and data quality. For more information 
on the 2005 NCT, see Federal Register: November 1, 2004 (Volume 69, 
Number 210). For the 2005 NCT, the bilingual questionnaire had a ``swim 
lane'' design that provided two response columns, one in English and 
one in Spanish, each containing the same questions and response 
categories. This form was mailed to a randomly selected set of 10,000 
housing units across the United States.
    Based on the results from the 2005 NCT concerning the effects of 
the bilingual census form, the Census Bureau is conducting the 2007 
Census Bilingual Form Study (CBiFS). Results from the 2005 NCT show 
that the bilingual form significantly increased the self response rate 
nationally (by 2.2 percentage points for paper response,

[[Page 51572]]

and 1.1 percentage points for total response), and more specifically, 
in areas where there is a high concentration of non-White and Hispanic 
populations. Moreover, the response to the bilingual form resulted in a 
higher proportion of Hispanic persons than the English-only form. 
However, item nonresponse rates for the bilingual form were higher for 
all household level items and Hispanic origin compared to the English-
only form. There are many potential reasons for these item nonresponse 
discrepancies, including forms design, question wording, translation, 
and differences in the responding population.
    The purpose of the 2007 CBiFS is to determine if the item 
nonresponse issues can be resolved by improved form design and 
utilization of the questions that will be on the form in the 2008 
Census Dress Rehearsal. Moreover, this study provides the opportunity 
to analyze the impact of the bilingual form in areas that contain a 
heavy concentration of Spanish-speaking people with limited English 
proficiency. Additionally, this study will provide the opportunity to 
verify the 2005 NCT finding of increased response to the bilingual 
census form.

II. Method of Collection

    This study will include two experimental bilingual form panels, and 
one control panel. Each panel will have the same questionnaire content 
(i.e., the content selected for dress rehearsal). The control panel 
will be the English-only form. The two experimental panels will contain 
variations of the bilingual form design to try to improve on the design 
that was used in the 2005 NCT. The first experimental panel will be the 
bilingual form that will be used in the dress rehearsal. The second 
experimental panel will contain an experimental format alternative to 
the first panel. We expect to mail each form to roughly 10,000 housing 
units, for a total of 30,000 housing units in the study.
    In early April 2007, the Census Bureau will mail an advance letter 
to every housing unit in this study. The advance letter will explain 
why we are conducting the 2007 CBiFS. The letter also will inform 
households that they will soon receive a request to complete a 
questionnaire. The advance letter for the two bilingual panels will 
have a dual language design.
    The second mailing will be the initial questionnaire package. 
Housing units will receive a paper questionnaire and a first-class 
postage-paid return envelope. Included in the mailing package will be a 
letter from the Census Bureau's Director that encourages households to 
respond. Households selected for the bilingual panels will receive one 
of the bilingual questionnaires, and households selected for the 
control panel will receive the English form. Respondents will be asked 
to mail back their completed questionnaire by Census Day, May 1, 2007.
    The third mailing will be a reminder mailing. The reminder mailing 
asks households to respond to the census test if they have not already 
done so. The reminder mailing will be an English-only postcard for the 
control panel and a letter for the bilingual panels since the Spanish 
translation requires more space than is available on the postcard.
    Beginning May 2007, a replacement questionnaire will be sent to all 
housing units that have not responded by a pre-determined date. 
Accompanying the questionnaire will be a letter from the Census 
Bureau's Director urging response. The replacement questionnaire will 
be the English form for all panels, including the bilingual panels.
    There will be no field follow-up for the 2007 CBiFS.

III. Data

    OMB Number: Not available.
    Form Number(s): DE-1, DE-1(E/S), DE-2(E/S).
    Type of Review: Regular.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 30,000.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 10 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 5,000 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: There is no cost to respondents except 
for their time to respond.
    Respondent Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: Title 13 of the 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 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: August 24, 2006.
Madeleine Clayton,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. E6-14358 Filed 8-29-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P