[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 249 (Wednesday, December 30, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69063-69065]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-30966]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Internet 
Reinterview Evaluation

AGENCY: U.S. Census Bureau, Commerce.

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 March 1, 2010.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625,

[[Page 69064]]

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 Randall Neugebauer, Bureau of the Census, HQ-
3H381, Washington, DC 20233; (301) 763-6883 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    As the 2010 Census approaches, planning for the 2020 Census is 
already underway. One particular area of interest for the next decade 
is to make the census more cost-effective and accurate. To that end, 
the Census Bureau will explore the use of the Internet for the 2020 
Census as an alternative means for the public to respond to the census. 
Thus, we have established the Internet Reinterview Evaluation as a 
research component under the 2010 Census Program for Evaluations and 
Experiments (CPEX). A major goal of this evaluation, and other projects 
under the umbrella of the 2010 CPEX, is to assist in guiding future 
census design.
    The main objective of the Internet Reinterview Evaluation is to 
estimate measurement errors, such as simple response variance and bias 
of responses from a census paper questionnaire compared to a census 
Internet questionnaire. The study will also include a mail reinterview 
component, which will provide additional information for estimating 
simple response variance. In addition to these measures, we also plan 
to collect metadata related to respondent usability of an Internet 
census questionnaire (i.e. keystroke analysis, break-off rates, 
completion times, etc.)

II. Method of Collection

    The general methodology for this evaluation focuses on the use of a 
self-administered Internet reinterview. Internet reinterview data will 
be compared to 2010 Census paper questionnaire data for the same 
households to estimate gross difference rates. A similar comparison 
will be made for the mail reinterview to estimate gross difference 
rates for the paper mode. These gross difference rates will be compared 
to get the measurement error that arises from Internet versus census 
paper questionnaires.
    Measurement error can arise from various sources, such as 
questionnaire design features and response mode. These design features 
include format (topic- or person-based), navigational flow (one 
question per screen), response category presentation (list or banked 
categories), visual design elements (such as item numbering and logos), 
and other questionnaire components. To supplement the interpretation of 
the survey results, laboratory data from usability and cognitive 
testing will be evaluated.
    The reinterviews will be conducted with a sample of 2010 Census 
mail respondents. The 2010 Internet Reinterview Evaluation is intended 
to provide estimates of measurement error associated with the design 
and content of a self-administered census Internet questionnaire. Since 
the measurement error structure may differ depending on whether a 
respondent has only one response mode option (i.e. mail or Internet) 
versus having a choice between the two modes, we are testing both 
``push'' and ``choice'' strategies. Thus, a sample of 2010 Census mail/
paper questionnaire respondents will be invited to complete an Internet 
reinterview (``push'' Internet), which has the same content as the 2010 
paper questionnaire. A separate sample of the 2010 mail questionnaire 
respondents will be invited to complete a mail reinterview (``push'' 
mail) with the same 2010 content. A third sample of the 2010 mail 
questionnaire respondents will be invited to complete a reinterview 
with the choice of mail and Internet modes (``choice'' Internet/mail).
    Comparing the Internet reinterview responses with 2010 Census paper 
questionnaire data will yield estimates of the gross difference rates 
for each data item. Similarly, we will compare the mail reinterview 
responses with 2010 Census paper questionnaire data to get estimates of 
the gross difference rates for the same data items. Then, we will 
compare the gross difference rate estimates for the two reinterviews to 
assess the simple response variance of the census Internet 
questionnaire versus the census paper questionnaire administration. In 
addition to this traditional approach, we are currently exploring the 
use of alternative analysis methods to estimate the error 
probabilities. We will also attempt to get an indication of the 
magnitude of nonresponse bias by comparing demographic characteristics 
of reinterview respondents and nonrespondents based on data from their 
2010 Census paper responses.
    The Internet and mail reinterviews will be conducted in late 
summer, after the 2010 Census enumeration activities have been 
completed in order to minimize the risk to 2010 Census data collection. 
However, the reinterviews will be conducted as close to the census 
enumeration as feasible in order to effectively compare reinterview 
results to the 2010 Census self-administered paper questionnaire. 
Reinterview results collected within the census environment should 
reflect a more generalizable measurement error structure for future 
censuses than results from a mid-decade census test. In addition, we 
hope to capitalize on respondents' memory of the recent census 
advertising to obtain a higher response to the reinterviews than would 
be possible in the absence of the 2010 Census environment.
    The Internet reinterview contact strategy will be similar to the 
contact strategy that is used for the 2010 Census. Sampled households 
will be sent an advance letter as well as a notification letter to 
inform them of the survey and to provide details about how to respond 
online. Up to two reminder postcards/letters will also be sent.
    The full implementation contact strategy that is used for the 2010 
Census will be implemented for the mail reinterview and the mail/
Internet choice reinterview, which includes an advance letter, initial 
questionnaire package, reminder postcard, and replacement 
questionnaire. The mail reinterview questionnaire will be identical in 
content to the 2010 Census mail questionnaire but will have a different 
title, will contain the Bureau of the Census seal (as opposed to the 
2010 Census logo), and will have a `thank you' that is customized for 
reinterview respondents.
    The Internet questionnaire is currently being developed. The 
Internet instrument is not intended to simply replicate the 2010 paper 
questionnaire in an electronic mode. Rather, the goal is to evaluate 
measurement error associated with an Internet questionnaire that 
exploits the advantages of the electronic technology, while still 
retaining the meaning and intent of the questions and response options 
from the paper form. Extensive laboratory usability testing will be 
conducted during the design phase. This will include qualitative 
research such as eye-tracking and mouse-tracing studies, key-stroke 
analysis, and documentation of what question(s), if any, were most 
susceptible to confusion or other problems.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0607-XXXX.
    Form Number: TBD.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Individuals or Households.

[[Page 69065]]

    Estimated Number of Respondents: 262,857
    Estimated Time per Response: 10 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 43,810.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: There is no cost to the respondent 
other than his/her time.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.

    Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C. 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: December 24, 2009.
Glenna Mickelson,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. E9-30966 Filed 12-29-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P