[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 60 (Thursday, March 27, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16261-16262]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-6257]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

    The Department of Commerce will submit to the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for collection of 
information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 
U.S.C. chapter 35).
    Agency: U.S. Census Bureau.
    Title: Current Population Survey, Basic Demographic Items.
    Form Number(s): CPS-263, CPS-263(SP), CPS-264, CPS-264(SP), CPS-
266, BC-1428, BC-1428(SP), BC-1433, BC-1433(SP),CPS-692, CPS-504.
    OMB Control Number: 0607-0049.
    Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Burden Hours: 18,013.
    Number of Respondents: 59,000.
    Average Hours Per Response: 1 and a half minutes.
    Needs and Uses: The purpose of this request for review is for the 
U.S. Census Bureau to obtain clearance from the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) for the collection of basic demographic information on 
the Current Population Survey (CPS). The CPS has been the source of 
official government statistics on employment and unemployment for over 
50 years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Census Bureau 
jointly sponsor the basic monthly survey, and the Census Bureau 
prepares and conducts all the field work. The Census Bureau provides 
the BLS with data files and tables. The BLS seasonally adjusts, 
analyzes, and publishes the results for the labor force data in 
conjunction with the demographic characteristics. In accordance with 
the OMB's request, the Census Bureau and the BLS divide the clearance 
request in order to reflect the joint sponsorship and funding of the 
CPS program. Title 29, United States Code, Sections 1-9, authorizes the 
collection of labor force data in the CPS.
    The demographic information provides a unique set of data on 
selected characteristics for the civilian noninstitutional population. 
Some of the demographic information Census collect is age, marital 
status, gender, Armed Forces status, education, race, origin, and 
family income. These data is used in conjunction with other data, 
particularly the monthly labor force data, as well as periodic 
supplement data. We also use these data independently for internal 
analytic research and for evaluation of other surveys. In addition, we 
need these data to correctly control estimates of other characteristics 
to the proper proportions of age, gender, race, and origin.
    Census use the data from the CPS on household size and composition, 
age, education, ethnicity, and marital status to compile monthly 
averages or other aggregates for national and sub-national estimates. 
The data is used in four principal ways: In association with other 
data, such as monthly labor force or periodic supplement publications; 
for internal analytic research; for evaluation of other surveys and 
survey results; and as a general purpose sample and survey.
    The demographic data are central to the publication of all labor 
force data in the BLS' monthly report Employment and Earnings. The data 
set that results from combining the monthly labor force data with the 
demographic data provides analysts with the ability to understand labor 
force patterns of many subpopulation groups. This is particularly 
important since the federal government often directs initiatives at 
special groups that historically have not conformed to general labor 
force participation patterns.
    Analysts also use the demographic data in association with all 
supplement publications. (Census describe supplements later in this 
section.) For example, publications that use these data are Fertility 
of American Women, School Enrollment--Social and Economic 
Characteristics of Students and Educational Attainment in the United 
States (Series P-20). Comparably, researchers are able to characterize 
the population within the subject area of the many supplements 
conducted in conjunction with the CPS. For instance, the Annual Social 
and Economic Supplement identifies which subpopulation groups, as 
established by the demographic variables, experience the highest 
incidence of poverty. While Census collect and support independently 
the demographic variables, the labor force data, and the supplement 
inquiries, their use as a combined data set enhances the utility of 
each.
    The Census Bureau also uses the demographic data extensively for 
internal analytic work. For example, these data is used to develop 
estimates of family and household types and metropolitan and 
nonmetropolitan populations. Census use these estimates to identify 
population trends between decennial censuses and to analyze the growth 
and distribution of various racial and ethnic groups. It may then be 
used in preparing reports on these subjects or in determining the 
accuracy of population controls used throughout the Census Bureau. As 
is noted below, we use the demographic data to improve our postcensal 
population estimates (that is, the components of emigration and 
undocumented immigration).
    Also, Census use the CPS as a source for other survey samples. A 
household remains in the CPS sample for 16 months. Other surveys 
conducted by the Census Bureau may use a CPS sample when it is no 
longer part of the CPS. In 2006, the National Survey of Fishing, 
Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, sponsored by the 
Department of the Interior, used retired cases from the CPS samples. 
The ongoing American Time Use Survey, sponsored by the BLS uses expired 
CPS sample. By using the CPS demographics to select their samples, 
other surveys have been able to avoid screening samples and to obtain 
accurate estimates by demographics.
    Another use of the demographic data is in evaluating other survey 
results. For example, analysts control the results of the National 
American Housing Survey to the CPS monthly averages of households. 
Similarly, in order to determine the plausibility of the results

[[Page 16262]]

of the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP), analysts 
continuously compare the data on household and family composition from 
the SIPP to the CPS monthly household and family composition data.
    The Census Bureau often uses the CPS as a model and resource for 
improving the efficiency and quality of other surveys. For example, the 
Census Bureau designed some series of items for the SIPP from the CPS. 
Academicians and researchers have historically used the CPS to better 
understand the many complexities associated with sample surveys and 
household interviews in general.
    In addition to the collection of demographic and labor force data, 
the CPS is also a major vehicle for the collection of supplemental 
questions on various socio-economic topics. In most months of the year 
supplemental questions are asked after the basic labor force questions 
of all eligible people in a household are obtained, thereby maximizing 
the utility of the CPS sample. The Census funding for the CPS and this 
OMB clearance also provides for annual data on work experience, income, 
migration (Annual Social and Economic Supplement), and school 
enrollment of the population (October supplement). In addition Census 
collect biennial, but separately funded, data on the fertility and 
birth expectations of the women of child-bearing age (June), voting and 
registration (November) and child support and alimony. The BLS, the 
Census Bureau, other government agencies, and private groups sponsor 
the supplements.
    There have been changes and additions to the basic CPS demographic 
items (including coverage items and other non-labor force items) since 
the last request was submitted for an OMB clearance request for the 
basic CPS demographics in 2005.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Frequency: Monthly.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: Title 13, United States Code, Sections 141, 181, 
and 182 and Title 29, United States Code, Sections 1-9 authorize the 
collection of this information.
    OMB Desk Officer: Brian Harris-Kojetin, (202) 395-7314.
    Copies of the above information collection proposal can be obtained 
by calling or writing Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance 
Officer, (202) 482-0266, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th and 
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at: 
[email protected]).
    Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information 
collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice 
to Brian Harris-Kojetin, OMB Desk Officer either by fax (202-395-7245) 
or e-mail ([email protected]).

Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
 [FR Doc. E8-6257 Filed 3-26-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P