[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 251 (Thursday, December 31, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 86967]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-28954]


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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 of availability; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting this Bureau of 
Labor Statistics (BLS)-sponsored information collection request (ICR) 
to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in 
accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA). Public 
comments on the ICR are invited.

DATES: The OMB will consider all written comments that agency receives 
on or before February 1, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed 
information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of 
this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular 
information collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--
Open for Public Comments'' or by using the search function.
    Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the 
Department, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (2) if the information will be processed and used in a timely 
manner; (3) the accuracy of the agency's estimates of the burden and 
cost of the collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (4) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information collection; and (5) ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are 
to respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The BLS Behavioral Science Research Center 
(BSRC) conducts theoretical, applied, and evaluative research aimed at 
improving the quality of data collected and published by the Bureau. 
Since its creation in 1988, the BSRC has advanced the study of survey 
methods research, approaching issues of non-sampling error within a 
framework that draws heavily on the theories and methods of the 
cognitive, statistical, and social sciences. The BSRC research focuses 
primarily on the assessment of survey instrument design and survey 
administration, as well as on issues related to interviewer training, 
the interaction between interviewer and respondent in the interview 
process, and the usability of data-collection instruments by both 
interviewers and respondents. Improvements in these areas result in 
greater accuracy and response rates of BLS surveys, frequently reduce 
costs in training and survey administration, and further ensure the 
effectiveness of the Bureau's overall mission. clearance by the BSRC is 
to conduct cognitive and psychological research designed to enhance the 
quality of the Bureau's data collection procedures and overall data 
management.
    The BLS is committed to producing the most accurate and complete 
data within the highest quality assurance guidelines. The BSRC was 
created to aid in this effort and it has demonstrated the effectiveness 
and value of its approach. As the use of web-based surveys continues to 
grow, so too will the need for careful tests of instrument design and 
usability, human-computer interactions, and the impact of multiple 
modes on data quality. The BSRC is uniquely equipped with both the 
skills and facilities to accommodate these demands.
    The extension of this information collection reflects an attempt to 
accommodate the increasing interest by BLS program offices and other 
agencies in the methods used and the results obtained by the BSRC. This 
extension also reflects planned research and development activities for 
FY2021 through FY2023. The collection's approval will enable the 
continued productivity of a state-of-the-art, multi-disciplinary 
program of behavioral science research to improve BLS survey 
methodology.
    For additional substantive information about this ICR, see the 
related notice published in the Federal Register on October 9, 2020 (85 
FR 64168).
    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 the OMB approves it 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 that does not display a valid 
OMB Control Number. See 5 CFR 1320.5(a) and 1320.6.
    DOL seeks PRA authorization for this information collection for 
three (3) years. OMB authorization for an ICR cannot be for more than 
three (3) years without renewal. The DOL notes that information 
collection requirements submitted to the OMB for existing ICRs receive 
a month-to-month extension while they undergo review.
    Agency: DOL-BLS.
    Title of Collection: Cognitive and Psychological Research.
    OMB Control Number: 1220-0141.
    Affected Public: Individuals and households; Private sector: 
businesses or other not-for-profits.
    Total Estimated Number of Respondents: 24,400.
    Total Estimated Number of Responses: 24,400.
    Total Estimated Annual Time Burden: 8,400 hours.
    Total Estimated Annual Other Costs Burden: $0.

(Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3507(a)(1)(D))

    Dated: December 23, 2020.
Anthony May,
Management and Program Analyst.
[FR Doc. 2020-28954 Filed 12-30-20; 8:45 am]
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