[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 175 (Thursday, September 10, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 54518]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-22789]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Generic 
Clearance for the 2020 Census Field Tests

AGENCY: U.S. Census Bureau, Department of 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 November 9, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, 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 Erin Love, Census Bureau, HQ-3H468E, Washington, 
DC 20233; (301) 763-2034 (or via the Internet at 
[email protected]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The U.S. Census Bureau is committed to conducting research towards 
a 2020 Census that costs less while maintaining high quality results. 
The Census Bureau plans to request an extension of the current OMB 
approval to conduct a series of small-scale tests to research and 
evaluate how the use of automation can improve data collection 
activities. These tests will explore how the Census Bureau can use 
automated processes to improve efficiency, data quality, and response 
rates and reduce respondent burden.
    This information collection will operate as a generic clearance. 
The estimated number of respondents and annual reporting hours 
requested cover both the known and yet to be determined tests. A 
generic clearance is needed for these tests because though each share 
similar methodology, the exact number of tests and the explicit details 
of each test to be performed has yet to be determined. Once information 
collection plans are defined, they will be submitted on an individual 
basis in order to keep OMB informed as these tests progress.
    The Census Bureau plans to test the use of mobile computing 
devices, emails, text messages and applications in self-enumeration and 
data collection tasks. The enumeration functions research will focus on 
using various applications to enumerate households and persons. The 
research and evaluation may include: Developing an automated 
enumeration questionnaire; inviting respondents to participate; 
reminding them to participate; usability issues; conducting interviews; 
and ability to toggle to non-English language instrument. To test 
enumeration functions, the Census Bureau may conduct the enumeration 
directly with a household member or knowledgeable respondent. The 
questions asked in these tasks will be content or experimental content 
for the 2020 Census operations and forms, along with some attitudinal 
and satisfaction debriefing questions.

II. Method of Collection

    The information will be collected through observations, self-
response, face-face interviews, and/or telephone interviews.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0607-0971.
    Form Number: Not yet determined.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 36,000 per year.
    Estimated Time per Response: 10 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 6000 hours annually.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: There is no cost to the respondent 
other than time to answer the information request.
    Respondents Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C. Sections 141 and 193.

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: September 4, 2015.
Glenna Mickelson,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2015-22789 Filed 9-9-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-07-P