[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 224 (Tuesday, November 20, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69660-69661]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-28174]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

NATIONAL WOMEN'S BUSINESS COUNCIL


Data Collection Available for Public Comments and Recommendations

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the National Women's Business Council's intentions to 
request approval on a new information collection activity that is part 
of an ongoing research program.

DATES: Submit comments on or before January 1, 2013.

ADDRESSES: Send all comments regarding whether these information 
collections are necessary for the proper performance of the function of 
the agency, whether the burden estimates are accurate, and if there are 
ways to minimize the estimated burden and enhance the quality of the 
collections to Emily Bruno, Director of Research and Policy, National 
Women's Business Council, 409 3rd St SW., Suite 210, Washington, DC 
20416.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Emily Bruno, Director of Research and 
Policy, National Women's Business Council, 202-205-6826 
([email protected]) or Curtis B. Rich, Management Analyst, 202-205-
7030, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Women's Business Council (NWBC) 
is a non-partisan federal advisory council that serves as an 
independent source of advice and counsel to the President, Congress, 
and the Small Business Administration on economic issues of importance 
to women business owners. Members of the Council are prominent women 
business owners and leaders of women's business organizations.
    One of the NWBC's priorities this year is to better understand 
young women entrepreneurs (ages 18-34) and how they are the same or 
different from young men entrepreneurs and older women entrepreneurs in 
their knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. NWBC aims to understand the 
existing differences shown through current data as well as to explore 
differing expectations and growth potential through original research.
    NWBC has acquired the services of a research firm to conduct 
quantitative data analysis of existing and available data to sketch the 
current state of young women entrepreneurs and identify any differences 
as compared to older women entrepreneurs and young men entrepreneurs. 
The firm would also conduct in-depth analysis of young women 
entrepreneurs in comparison to their counterparts through original 
qualitative research. The qualitative research would consist of 12 
focus groups with approximately 10 individuals in each group. Questions 
in the focus groups will explore expectations, approaches, barriers and 
supports, and growth potential of young women entrepreneurs and their 
counterparts. The outcome of the research will be a body of evidence 
and set of recommendations to support the growth of businesses owned by 
young women entrepreneurs.
    The focus groups would commence with a short questionnaire directed 
at a limited number of questions with defined responses. This 
questionnaire would be developed based on the common themes identified 
through previous research. The questionnaire would be given prior to 
the start of the focus groups and would be limited to completion within 
10-15 minutes by the participants. The cover page of the questionnaire 
would include a limited set of demographics about the person (e.g. age, 
gender, entrepreneur field, year first became entrepreneur). All 
questionnaires will be coded with a random participant identification 
number, so that no names or identifiers will be included on the 
questionnaire. The focus groups will be no longer than 2 hours in 
length in total from start to finish, and no more than 10 participants 
will be involved in any of the focus groups. Focus groups would likely 
be gender- and age-specific and would be held using remote 
communication tools to manage time and cost.
    Title: Focus Group Research: Young Women Entrepreneurs.
    Description of Respondents: Young women entrepreneurs, young men 
entrepreneurs, and older women entrepreneurs, all representing a range 
of industries and sectors across the United States.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   Number of     Average burden
     Type of respondent          Form name/       Number of      responses per   per respondent    Total burden
                                  activity       respondents       respondent        (hours)         (hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Young Women Entrepreneurs...  Focus Group....  Approximately    N/A............               2  160
                                                80.
Older Women Entrepreneurs...  Focus Group....  Approximately    N/A............               2  40
                                                20.
Young Men Entrepreneurs.....  Focus Group....  Approximately    N/A............               2  40
                                                20.
                             -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Totals..................  ...............  Approximately    ...............  ..............  Approximately
                                                120                                               240 Hours
                                                Respondents.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



[[Page 69661]]

    Dated: November 13, 2012.
Anie J. Borja,
Executive Director.
[FR Doc. 2012-28174 Filed 11-19-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-AB-P