[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 240 (Wednesday, December 15, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78212-78213]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-31471]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Center for 
Economic Studies Research Proposal Process and Project Management

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 February 14, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 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 Dr. Brian P. Holly, Project Review Coordinator, 
Center for Economic Studies, U.S Census Bureau, Room 2K139, 4600 Silver 
Hill Road, Washington, DC 20746 (or via the Internet at 
[email protected]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The U.S. Census Bureau through its network of Census Research Data 
Centers (RDCs) supports and encourages research activity using Census 
Bureau microdata to improve Census Bureau programs. The RDCs provide 
access to researchers, federal agencies, and other institutions meeting 
the requirements of Title 13 United States Code, Section 23(c) to non-
publicly available Census Bureau data files. The Center for Economic 
Studies operates the RDC system on behalf of the Census Bureau.
    The objective of the Center for Economic Studies (CES) and the 
Research Data Centers (RDCs) is to increase the utility and quality of 
Census Bureau data products. The external research program supported by 
CES and the RDCs increases the quality and utility of Census data in 
several ways. First, access to microdata encourages knowledgeable 
researchers to become familiar with Census data products and Census 
collection methods. More importantly, providing qualified researchers 
access to confidential microdata enables research projects that would 
not be possible without access to respondent-level information. This 
increases the value of data that has been collected. Access to the 
microdata also allows for data linking not possible with aggregates, 
both cross-survey linkages and longitudinal linkages. These linkages 
leverage the value of preexisting data. Creative use of microdata can 
address important policy questions without the need for additional data 
collections.
    In addition, the best means by which the Census Bureau can check on 
the quality of the data it collects, edits, and tabulates is to make 
its micro records available in a controlled, secure environment to 
sophisticated users who, by employing the micro records in the course 
of rigorous analysis, will uncover the strengths and weaknesses of the 
micro records. Each set of observations is the end result of dozens 
upon dozens of decision rules covering definitions, classifications, 
coding procedures, processing rules, editing rules, disclosure rules, 
and so on. The validity and consequences of all these decision rules 
only become evident when the Census Bureau's micro databases are tested 
in the course of analysis. Exposing to the light of research the 
conceptual and processing assumptions that are embedded in the Census 
Bureau's micro databases constitutes a core element in the Census 
Bureau's commitment to quality. CES and the RDCs conduct, facilitate, 
and support microdata research.

The Proposal Process

    Persons wishing to conduct research at a Research Data Center must 
submit a research proposal using the CES Web site (http://www.ces.census.gov). Detailed guidelines describe the research proposal 
submission process. There are two distinct steps to submit a research 
proposal. The first step is the development of a preliminary proposal. 
The second step is the submission of a final proposal.

Preliminary Proposal Development

    Researchers who wish to develop a proposal to conduct research at 
one of the Census Bureau's Research Data Centers (RDC) initially 
contact the RDC administrator at the center where the research will be 
conducted. The researcher discusses the proposed project with the 
administrator to determine whether the research fits with the Bureau's 
mission, is feasible, and is likely to provide benefits to Census 
Bureau programs under Title 13, Chapter 5 of the U.S. Code. The 
researcher registers as a user with CES by opening an account through 
the Center's Web site (http://www.ces.census.gov). All researchers must 
have a user account in order to submit preliminary and final proposals 
to CES.
    Working closely with the RDC administrator, researchers develop a 
preliminary research proposal that includes information about the 
researcher(s), RDC location(s) where the research will be carried out, 
purpose of the research, funding source, requested datasets, desired 
software, a brief narrative description of the research project and 
proposed benefits to the Census Bureau. The researcher enters this 
information via the CES on-line proposal management system accessible 
on the CES Web site.
    Once a preliminary proposal has been submitted, the RDC 
administrator reviews it and advises the researcher of any suggestions 
for improvement. The administrator must approve the preliminary 
proposal before the researcher can submit a final proposal to CES.

Final Proposal Submission

    The final proposal consists of three separate documents in Adobe 
Acrobat Portable Document Format (PDF): (1) Abstract of the proposal, 
(2) Project description (full proposal), and (3) Statement of benefits 
to the Census Bureau. The submitter uploads the final documents to the 
CES management system via his or her user account and submits for 
Census Review by clicking on the Submit link button. This locks the 
project entry to prevent further edits or document uploads.
    Document length varies by type. The abstract is limited to one 
page, the

[[Page 78213]]

proposal narrative is limited to fifteen pages single-spaced or thirty 
pages double spaced, and the benfits statement can range from five to 
as much as twelve pages at the submitter's discretion.

Progress Reports

    Each project research team is expected to file annual progress 
reports and agrees to submit a final project report called a Post 
Project Certification (PPC). The annual progress reports vary in length 
and content and have no fixed format. The Post Project Certification 
follows a fixed format and is initially generated as a template by the 
project management system.

II. Method of Collection

    User Account. Individuals create a user account on the CES Project 
Management System by visiting the CES Web site (http://www.ces.census.gov/index/php) and click on the ``Register'' link on the 
front page. A template appears which requests contact information from 
the respondent, including name, mailing address, e-mail address, 
telephone, professional affiliation, and citizenship. Some fields are 
required and others are voluntary. The information is retained in the 
system database and periodically modified by authorized CES staff when 
needed for activating the user's status on an approved research 
project. Users can update their contact information in their account at 
any time.
    Research Project Information Template. Individuals with valid user 
accounts may create a research project entry in the system by clicking 
on the link ``Start a New Proposal.'' This action opens a template 
where the user enters required information about a research project he 
or she wishes to carry out at a Census Bureau Research Data Center 
(RDC). The first page consists of a six-item prerequisite checklist to 
which the user must agree before being allowed to proceed to the next 
page. The second page requests the following information: project 
title, requested duration in months, funding source, Research Data 
Center, research personnel (selected from a list of current user 
accounts), brief project description, requested research datasets 
supplied by Census, research datasets supplied by filer, proposed 
benefits (from checklist of 13 permitted) and a text box for additional 
information the filer wishes to include. The filer clicks on a continue 
button to move to a verification page. The filer can reset the form 
contents at any time. The filer then verifies the entered information 
and saves the project information to the database. The system assigns a 
project number, and sets the project's status to NEW.
    Research Proposal Documents.
     Abstract--A one-page document that summarizes the 
project's objectives, describes requested data, and lists proposed 
benefits to the Census Bureau.
     Project Narrative--Describes in detail the research 
question(s) to be addressed, Census Bureau and researcher supplied 
datasets to be used, a description of the research design (methodology, 
hypotheses, statistical models), expected duration and outsomes, source 
of funding, and a list of references cited in the text.
     Benefits Statement--Known formally as the Predominant 
Purpose Statement (PPS), this document is generated in draft form by 
the system. It is populated with some standard language, project title, 
Principle Investigator's name, preselected benefits, and a list of 
requested Census Bureau datasets. This document is editable by the 
submitter, primarily to expand upon the narrative statements associated 
with each proposed benefit.
     Annual Progress Report--Required for projects of three or 
more years in duration. Consists of a brief description of progress to 
date.
     Post Project Certification--This document is submtted 
following completion of the project and summarizes the project's 
findings in terms of benefits to the Census Bureau. It resembles the 
Predominant Purpose Statement in form and content except that it 
describes how and whether the project's proposed benefits were 
achieved. Census Bureau staff review this document and either certify 
it or send it back to the submitter for revision.
    Approved research projects have an average duration of four years.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: None.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Individuals.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 60 projects per year.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 63 hours annually.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 3,780.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $173,625.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C., Section 9 and Section 23(c).

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 10, 2010.
Glenna Mickelson,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2010-31471 Filed 12-14-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P