[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 250 (Thursday, December 29, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 81983-81984]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-33365]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of the Secretary


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB 
Review; Comment Request; Cognitive and Psychological Research

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting the Bureau of 
Labor Statistics (BLS) sponsored information collection request (ICR) 
titled, ``Cognitive and Psychological Research,'' to the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval for continued use 
in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 
3501 et seq.).

DATES: Submit comments on or before January 30, 2012.

ADDRESSES: A copy of this ICR with applicable supporting documentation; 
including a description of the likely respondents, proposed frequency 
of response, and estimated total burden may be obtained from the 
RegInfo.gov Web site, http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain, on the 
day following publication of this notice or by contacting Michel Smyth 
by telephone at (202) 693-4129 (this is not a toll-free number) or 
sending an email to [email protected].
    Submit comments about this request to the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs, Attn: OMB Desk Officer for the Department of Labor, 
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Office of Management and Budget, Room 
10235, Washington, DC 20503, Telephone: (202) 395-6929/Fax: (202) 395-
6881 (these are not toll-free numbers), email: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Contact Michel Smyth by telephone at (202) 
693-4129 (this is not a toll-free number) or by email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Bureau of Labor Statistics' Behavioral 
Science Research Laboratory (BSRL) conducts psychological research 
focusing on the design and execution of the data collection process in 
order to improve the quality of data collected by the Bureau. BSRL 
conducts research aimed at improving data collection quality by 
assessing questionnaire/form management and administration, as well as 
issues which relate to interviewer training and interaction with 
respondents in the interview process. BSRL staff work closely with 
economists and/or program specialists responsible for defining the 
concepts to be measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics' collection 
programs. The proposed laboratory research will be conducted from 
Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 through FY 2014 to enhance data quality in the 
Bureau of Labor Statistics' surveys. Improvements will be made by 
examining psychological and cognitive aspects of BLS's data collection 
procedures, including questionnaire design, interviewing procedures, 
collection modalities, and administrative technology.
    This information collection is subject to the PRA. A Federal agency 
generally cannot conduct or sponsor a collection of information, and 
the public is generally not required to respond to an information 
collection, unless it is approved by the OMB under the PRA and displays 
a currently valid OMB Control Number. In addition, notwithstanding any 
other provisions of law, no person shall generally be subject to 
penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if the 
collection of information does not display a valid OMB Control Number. 
See 5 CFR 1320.5(a) and 1320.6. The DOL obtains OMB approval for this 
information collection under OMB Control Number 1220-0141. The current 
OMB approval is scheduled to expire on February 29, 2012; however, it 
should be noted that existing information collection requirements 
submitted to the OMB receive a month-to-month extension while they 
undergo review. For additional information, see the related notice 
published in the Federal Register on September 12, 2011 (76 FR 56226).
    Interested parties are encouraged to send comments to the OMB, 
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at the address shown in 
the ADDRESSES section within 30 days of publication of this notice in 
the Federal Register. In order to help ensure appropriate 
consideration, comments should reference OMB Control Number 1220-0141. 
The OMB is particularly interested in comments that:
     Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
     Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the 
burden of the proposed collection of information, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
     Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
     Minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting 
electronic submission of responses.

[[Page 81984]]

    Agency: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
    Title of Collection: Cognitive and Psychological Research.
    OMB Control Number: 1220-0141.
    Affected Public: Individuals and Households, Private Sector.
    Total Estimated Number of Responses: 3,600.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 3,600.
    Total Estimated Annual Other Costs Burden: $0.

    Dated: December 22, 2011.
Linda Watts Thomas,
Acting Departmental Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2011-33365 Filed 12-28-11; 8:45 am]
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