[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 186 (Wednesday, September 24, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55034-55035]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-22414]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; 2010 Coverage 
Follow-up Telephone Operation

AGENCY: U.S. Census Bureau.

ACTION: Notice.

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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: To ensure consideration, written comments must be submitted on 
or before November 24, 2008.

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 Census Bureau has completed four studies designed to evaluate 
the efficacy of modified procedures for improving coverage through the 
use of a coverage follow-up of the population and its housing: (1) The 
2004 Census Test Coverage Research Follow-up (OMB Control Number 0607-
0910); (2) the 2005 National Census Test Coverage Follow-up (OMB 
Control Number 0607-0916); (3) the 2006 Census Test Coverage Follow-up 
(OMB Control Number 0607-0923); and (4) the 2008 Census Dress Rehearsal 
Coverage Follow-up Telephone Operation (OMB Control Number 0607-0946).
    Historically, the decennial census has been affected by undercounts 
that affect certain demographic groups (such as babies and minorities), 
and people in certain living situations (such as renters who move often 
and people whose residence is complicated or ambiguous). The 2010 
Coverage Follow-up (CFU) telephone operation will serve to clarify 
initial enumeration responses in an effort to improve within-household 
coverage.
    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 omitted and/or erroneously enumerated. Corrections to the 
roster are made,

[[Page 55035]]

where necessary, and are based on the residence rule for 2010 Census.
    The 2010 CFU telephone operation will be conducted April 26, 2010 
through August 13, 2010.

II. Method of Collection

    The CFU telephone operation will be administered using computer-
assisted telephone interviews. It is estimated that 6,000,000 
households will be included in the 2010 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 CFU interview includes probes about any of the following 
situations that seem applicable based on the household's responses on 
the questionnaire:
     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, Census then ask questions to establish the appropriate census 
residence of that person according to the residence rules in effect for 
the 2010 Census.
    We will contact respondents using telephone numbers provided by 
respondents on the initial census questionnaire and/or provided through 
a phone number look-up service through a commercial vendor. These 
interviews will be conducted at commercial call centers using computer-
assisted telephone interviewing (CATI). The CATI instrument will be in 
English and Spanish. As in previous censuses, we will not conduct field 
interviews as part of this effort due to the extremely high cost.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0607-0946.
    Form Number: D-1302I, Coverage Follow-Up Telephone Interview 
Instrument (English, Spanish).
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 6,000,000.
    Estimated Time per Response: 10 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,000,000.
    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: September 19, 2008.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
 [FR Doc. E8-22414 Filed 9-23-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P