[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 98 (Wednesday, May 21, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29165-29166]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-11674]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

    The Department of Commerce will submit to the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for collection of 
information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 
U.S.C. chapter 35).
    Agency: U.S. Census Bureau.
    Title: Current Population Survey (CPS) Basic Demographics.
    OMB Control Number: 0607-0049.
    Form Number(s): CPS-263, CPS-263(SP), CPS-264, CPS-264(SP), CPS-
266, BC-1428, BC-1428(SP), BC-1433, BC-1433(SP), CPS-692.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Burden Hours: 19,347.
    Number of Respondents: 59,000.
    Average Hours per Response: 1.64 minutes.
    Needs and Uses: The CPS has been the source of official government 
statistics on employment and unemployment for over 50 years. The Bureau 
of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the U.S. Census Bureau jointly sponsor 
the basic monthly survey, and the Census Bureau prepares and conducts 
all the field work. The Census Bureau provides the BLS with data files 
and tables. The BLS seasonally adjusts, analyzes, and publishes the 
results for the labor force data in conjunction with the demographic 
characteristics. In accordance with the OMB's request, the Census 
Bureau and the BLS divide the clearance request in order to reflect the 
joint sponsorship and funding of the CPS program. Title 29, United 
States Code, Sections 1-9, authorizes the collection of labor force 
data in the CPS. The justification that follows is in support of the 
demographic data.
    The demographic information collected in the CPS provides a unique 
set of data on selected characteristics for the civilian 
noninstitutional population. Some of the demographic information we 
collect is age, marital status, gender, Armed Forces status, education, 
race, origin, and family income. We use these data in conjunction with 
other data, particularly the monthly labor force data, as well as 
periodic supplement data. We also use these data independently for 
internal analytic research and for evaluation of other surveys. In 
addition, we need these data to correctly control estimates of other 
characteristics to the proper proportions of age, gender, race, and 
origin.
    We use the CPS data on household size and composition, age, 
education, ethnicity, and marital status to compile monthly averages or 
other aggregates for national and sub-national estimates. We use these 
data in four principal ways: In association with other data, such as 
monthly labor force or periodic supplement publications; for internal 
analytic research; for evaluation of other surveys and survey results; 
and as a general purpose sample and survey.
    The demographic data are central to the publication of all labor 
force data in the BLS' monthly report Employment and Earnings. The data 
set that results from combining the monthly labor force data with the 
demographic data provides analysts with the ability to understand labor 
force patterns of many subpopulation groups. This is particularly 
important since the federal government often directs initiatives at 
special groups that historically have not conformed to general labor 
force participation patterns.
    Analysts also use the demographic data in association with all 
supplement publications. (We describe supplements later in this 
section.) For example, publications that use these data are Fertility 
of American Women, School Enrollment--Social and Economic 
Characteristics of Students and Educational Attainment in the United 
States (Series P-20). Comparably, researchers are able to characterize 
the population within the subject area of the many supplements 
conducted in conjunction with the CPS. For instance, the Annual Social 
and Economic Supplement identifies which subpopulation groups, as 
established by the demographic variables, experience the highest 
incidence of poverty. While we collect and support independently the 
demographic variables, the labor force data, and the supplement 
inquiries, their use as a combined data set enhances the utility of 
each.
    The Census Bureau also uses the demographic data extensively for 
internal analytic work. For example, we use these data to develop 
estimates of family and household types and metropolitan and 
nonmetropolitan populations. We use these estimates to identify 
population trends between decennial censuses and to analyze the growth 
and distribution of various racial and ethnic groups. We may then use 
this information in preparing reports on these subjects or in 
determining the accuracy of population controls used throughout the 
Census Bureau. As is noted below, we use the demographic data to 
improve our postcensal population estimates (that is, the components of 
emigration and undocumented immigration).
    Also, we use the CPS as a source for other survey samples. A 
household remains in the CPS sample for 16 months. Other surveys 
conducted by the Census Bureau may use a CPS sample when it is no 
longer part of the CPS. In 2006, the National Survey of Fishing, 
Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, sponsored by the 
Department of the Interior, used retired cases from the CPS sample. The 
ongoing American Time Use Survey, sponsored by the BLS uses expired CPS 
sample. By using the CPS demographics to select their samples, other 
surveys have been able to avoid screening samples and to obtain 
accurate estimates by demographics.
    Another use of the demographic data is in evaluating other survey 
results. For example, analysts control the results of the National 
American Housing Survey to the CPS monthly averages of households. 
Similarly, in order to determine the plausibility of the results of the 
Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP), analysts 
continuously compare the data on household and family composition from 
the SIPP to the CPS monthly household and family composition data.

[[Page 29166]]

    The Census Bureau often uses the CPS as a model and resource for 
improving the efficiency and quality of other surveys. For example, the 
Census Bureau designed some items for the SIPP from the CPS. 
Academicians and researchers have historically used the CPS to better 
understand the many complexities associated with sample surveys and 
household interviews in general.
    In addition to the collection of demographic and labor force data, 
the CPS is also a major vehicle for the collection of supplemental 
questions on various socio-economic topics. In most months of the year 
we ask supplemental questions after asking the basic labor force 
questions of all eligible people in a household, thereby maximizing the 
utility of the CPS sample. We also collect annual data on work 
experience, income, migration (Annual Social and Economic Supplement), 
and school enrollment of the population (October supplement). In 
addition we collect biennial, but separately funded, data on fertility 
and birth expectations of women of child-bearing age (June), voting and 
registration (November) and child support and alimony. The BLS, the 
Census Bureau, other government agencies, and private groups sponsor 
the supplements.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Frequency: Monthly.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.

    Legal Authority: Title 13, United States Code, Sections 141, 
181, and 182 and Title 29, United States Code, Sections 1-9.

    OMB Desk Officer: Brian Harris-Kojetin, (202) 395-7314.
    Copies of the above information collection proposal can be obtained 
by calling or writing Jennifer Jessup, Departmental Paperwork Clearance 
Officer, (202) 482-0336, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th and 
Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at 
[email protected]).
    Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information 
collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice 
to Brian Harris-Kojetin, OMB Desk Officer either by fax (202-395-7245) 
or email ([email protected]).

    Dated: May 15, 2014.
Glenna Mickelson,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2014-11674 Filed 5-20-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P