[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 211 (Tuesday, November 1, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67405-67406]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-28212]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

U.S. Census Bureau


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Federal 
Statistical System Public Opinion Survey

AGENCY: U.S. Census Bureau.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 January 3, 2012.

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 Jennifer Hunter Childs, 
[email protected] (301) 763-4927, U.S. Census Bureau, 
Center for Survey Measurement, 4600 Silver Hill Road, Washington, DC 
20233.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

[[Page 67406]]

I. Abstract

    From December 2009 through April 2010, the U.S. Census Bureau 
contracted a private survey firm to conduct a nightly poll of public 
attitudes toward the 2010 Census, public awareness of Census 
promotional efforts, and intent to mail back their Census forms. The 
nationally representative sample of 200 respondents per night was 
rolled up into 7 day moving estimates that provided nearly immediate 
feedback on public reaction to national events that might influence 
perceptions of the 2010 Census, and on the success or failure of our 
communications campaign messaging. The Census Bureau used this feedback 
to make communication campaign decisions during the 2010 Census that 
contributed to achieving a mail-back participation rate of 74%, despite 
increased vacancy rates due to the economic downturn, increased public 
skepticism about the role of the Federal Government, and a general 
decline in survey response rates during the decade that crossed both 
public and private sector surveys.
    Moving forward the Census Bureau is seeking ways to reverse the 
decline in response rates for its ongoing surveys to avoid both 
increasing operational costs and potential declines in data quality. 
The information collected will assist the Census Bureau in addressing 
attitudes, beliefs, and concerns the public may have regarding its 
trust (confidence) in federal statistics and in the collection of 
statistical information by the federal government from the public, as 
well attitudes toward and knowledge of the statistical uses of 
administrative records. The data will also allow us to understand how 
current events impact public perception towards federal statistics.
    Ultimately, this public opinion data will enable the Census Bureau 
to better understand public perceptions, which will provide guidance 
for communicating with the public and for future planning of data 
collection that reflects a good understanding of public perceptions and 
concerns. Because all federal statistical agencies are also these 
facing issues of declining response rates and increasing costs in a 
time of constrained budgets, the Census Bureau will share the results 
of these surveys with other federal statistical agencies, including 
those that sponsor surveys conducted by the Census Bureau, to maximize 
the utility of this information collection and ultimately, the quality 
and efficiency of federal statistics.

II. Method of Collection

    The Census Bureau plans to add up to 25 questions to a sample of 
cases in an ongoing survey, the Gallup Daily Tracking, which is a daily 
survey asking U.S. adults about various political, economic, and well-
being topics. The survey includes sample coverage in Alaska and Hawaii, 
and relies on a three-call design to reach respondents not contacted on 
the initial attempt. The survey methods for the Gallup Daily Tracking 
rely on live interviews, dual-frame sampling (which includes listed 
landline interviewing as well as cell phone sampling to reach those in 
cell phone-only households, cell phone-mostly households, and unlisted 
landline-only households), and a random selection method for choosing 
respondents within the household. The survey conducts Spanish-language 
interviews for respondents who speak only Spanish. The Census Bureau 
will ask questions of 200 respondents who participate in the Gallup 
survey most evenings from January 3, 2012 through September 20, 2013.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: None.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 70,000.
    Estimated Time per Response: 10 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 11,667.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $0.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C. chapter 5.

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: October 27, 2011.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2011-28212 Filed 10-31-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P