[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 99 (Wednesday, May 23, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28951-28952]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-9870]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


2008 Coverage Followup Telephone Operation

ACTION: Proposed information 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 July 23, 2007.

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: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Frank Vitrano, U.S. Census Bureau, Room 3H174, 
Washington, DC 20233-9200, 301-763-3961 (or via e-mail at 
[email protected]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

I. Abstract

    The 2008 Census Dress Rehearsal is the final step in the decennial 
cycle of research and testing leading up to the implementation of the 
2010 Census. The 2008 Census Dress Rehearsal will provide an 
opportunity to see how well the Census Bureau integrates the various 
operations and procedures planned for the 2010 Census under as close to 
census-like conditions as possible.
    In order to meet our constitutional and legislative mandates, we 
must implement a re-engineered 2010 Census that is cost-effective, 
improves coverage, and reduces operational risk. Achieving these 
strategic goals requires an iterative series of tests to provide an 
opportunity to evaluate new or improved question wording, methodology, 
technology, and questionnaire design.
    The Census Bureau previously completed three related studies 
designed to evaluate the efficacy of modified procedures for improving 
coverage (how well the Census Bureau counts people and housing units in 
the census) of the population and housing: (1) The 2004 Census Test 
Coverage Research Followup (OMB Approval Number 0607-0910; (2) the 2005 
National Census Test Coverage Followup (OMB Approval Number 0607-0916 
and (3) the 2006 Census Test Coverage Followup (OMB Approval Number 
0607-0923.)
    In support of the Census Bureau's goals, the 2008 Coverage Followup 
(CFU) telephone operation will serve to clarify initial enumeration 
responses in an effort to improve within household coverage by 
identifying erroneous enumerations and omissions. Historically, the 
decennial census has been affected by undercounts that affect certain 
demographic groups (e.g. babies and minorities), and people in certain 
living situations, such as renters who move often and people whose 
residence is complicated or ambiguous.
    Coverage interviews in the decennial censuses traditionally involve 
a second interview with the respondent to determine if changes should 
be made to their household roster as reported on their initial census 
return. The questions in the CFU interview attempt to determine if 
people were missed, and/or counted incorrectly. The corrections to the 
roster are made, if necessary, based on the 2008 Dress Rehearsal 
Residence Rules.
    The 2008 CFU telephone operation will be conducted May 1, 2008 
through July 25, 2008.

II. Method of Collection

    The CFU telephone operation will be administered using computer-
assisted telephone interviews (CATI). Approximately 66,000 households 
will be included in the 2008 CFU telephone universe. This universe is 
selected based on the following criteria:
     Initial census housing unit returns that responded ``yes'' 
to either coverage question;
     Initial census returns that have a count discrepancy 
between the reported household population count and the actual number 
of persons recorded on the census form;
     Initial census returns containing more than six persons;
     Initial returns that are matched against an administrative 
records database to identify potential undercount; and
     Initial census returns that are computer matched to 
determine possible duplicate person links.
    The 2008 CFU telephone operation will be conducted in the two 2008 
Census Dress Rehearsal sites: San Joaquin County, California and South 
Central North Carolina, including Fayetteville and nine surrounding 
counties (Chatham, Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke, Lee, Montgomery, Moore, 
Richmond and Scotland).
    The CFU interview includes probes about:
     Types of missing people,
     Where college students live,
     Where children in custody arrangements spend most of their 
time,
     Where those who vacation spend most of their time,
     If anyone else in the household stays anywhere else any 
part of the time, and
     If anyone stayed in a facility where groups of people 
stay.
    When anyone is identified as potentially counted or omitted in 
error, we then ask questions to establish the appropriate census 
residence of that

[[Page 28952]]

person according to the residence rules in effect for the 2008 Census 
Dress Rehearsal.
    We will contact respondents using telephone numbers provided by 
respondents on the initial census questionnaire. These interviews will 
be conducted at a commercial call center using CATI. The CATI 
instrument will be in English only. We will not conduct field 
interviews during this test, so when telephone interviews are 
unsuccessful, the case will be classified as a non-interview.

III. Data

    OMB Number: None.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 66,000 housing units.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 10 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 11,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $0.
    Respondent's 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: May 17, 2007.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
 [FR Doc. E7-9870 Filed 5-22-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P