[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 216 (Wednesday, November 8, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 65455]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-18797]
[[Page 65455]]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Economic Research Service
Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Collect Information
AGENCY: Economic Research Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub.
L. 104-13) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations at 5
CFR part 1320 (60 FR 44978, August 29, 1995), this Notice invites the
general public and other interested parties to comment on a proposed
information collection by the Economic Research Service (ERS). This
information collection will provide data needed to develop
questionnaires and related instruments capable of collecting reliable
and valid information on topics including stress and food-related
behavior, cognitive load and food-related behavior, and self-control
and food-related behavior. ERS plans to conduct data collections that
involve formative research, including such methods as cognitive
interviews (individuals), and pre-testing and field testing of survey
items (in person, telephone).
DATES: Comments on this Notice must be received by January 12, 2007 to
be assured of consideration.
ADDRESSES: Requests for additional information regarding this Notice
should be directed to Dr. Mark Denbaly, Economic Research Service, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, 1800 M Street, NW., Room S2078, Washington,
DC 20036-5831. Submit electronic comments to [email protected] or
fax to 202-694-5390.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Formative Research for Development and Testing of
Questionnaires on the Psychological Determinants of Food Consumption
Behavior.
OMB Number: Not yet assigned.
Expiration Date: N/A.
Type of Request: Approval to collect information from civilian,
non-institutionalized population, especially low-income individuals and
households targeted by USDA food assistance programs.
Abstract: Diet-related health conditions account for a large
fraction of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Significant
sections of the U.S. population consume sub-optimal diets characterized
by overconsumption and poor diet quality. Diet-related health
conditions such as obesity have increased rapidly among all population
groups, including the low-income and food assistance program
recipients. Health care costs related to poor diets and obesity are
placing a growing burden on the health insurance system. Poor diets and
the growing rate of obesity among children imply that such costs will
continue to increase unless dietary behaviors become more healthful. A
growing body of research suggests standard economic models modified to
account for systematic errors, cognitive biases, and self control
problems in decision making may offer a more complete explanation of
the persistence of poor dietary choices and offer a wider array of
public policy solutions. While such new behavioral economics research
has examined decision making in other domains of consumer choice, there
has been limited research on food consumption and dietary habits. In
particular, there is a lack of reliable, valid questionnaires or other
short, practical population measures capable of collecting valid
information on topics including stress and food-related behavior,
cognitive load and food-related behavior, and self-control and food-
related behavior. Dietary assessment through 24-hour dietary recall is
well-established. However, development of new questionnaires for
assessing stress, cognitive load, and self-control as they relate to
dietary behavior and the assessment of their reliability and validity
will require formative research. Formative research methods such as
cognitive interviewing and field testing will assist ERS to develop
questionnaires and related measures that are understandable and yield
reliable, valid information on psychological and behavioral
underpinnings of food choice. Findings from all subsequent data
collections will be included in summary reports submitted to OMB. The
reports will describe the data collection methods used in the formative
research, findings, conclusions, implications, and recommendations for
the development of reliable, valid questionnaires and related measures.
There will be no attempt to generalize the findings to be nationally
representative.
Methods of Collection: The data will be collected using a
combination of methodologies appropriate to each formative research
activity. These methodologies could include cognitive interviews and
pretest/field tests.
Estimated Number of Respondents and Total Annual Burden on Respondents:
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Average
Number of respondent Total hours of
Type of data collection respondents burden burden
(minutes)
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Cognitive Interviews/Pretesting................................. 24 20 8
Field Test...................................................... 800 120 1,600
Totals...................................................... 824 N/A 1,608
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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 of the proposed collection of information including the
validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (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
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection
techniques or other forms of information technology. All comments on
this Notice will become a matter of public record and be summarized in
the request for OMB approval.
Dated: October 19, 2006.
Susan Offutt,
Administrator, Economic Research Service.
[FR Doc. E6-18797 Filed 11-7-06; 8:45 am]
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