The 1998 Public Opinion Survey

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of the Census

The 1998 Public Opinion Survey

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.

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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. 3

506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before November 20,

1998.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier,

Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room

5327, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or

copies of the information collection instrument(s) should be directed

to Joanne Dickinson, Bureau of the Census, Room 3015-3, Washington, DC

20233, (301) 457-4081.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

The Census Bureau's core business is large-scale surveys and

censuses. This involves the full range of activities required to

produce data, including survey and instrument design and data

collection, processing, and dissemination. Research and data analysis

activities directly support its capabilities to conduct large-scale

surveys and censuses. Therefore, the Census Bureau plans to conduct the

1998 Public Opinion Survey (POS) to gather and benchmark useful and

fundamental data about the public's perception of government

information collection and its dissemination and use of the statistics

it collects. Acknowledging steady declines in response rates to

censuses and surveys, we would like to identify those barriers that

inhibit responsiveness. As the preeminent collector and provider of

timely, relevant, and quality data about the people and economy of the

United States, we need also to better understand the public's values

for its information and the public's awareness, exposure to, and use of

statistical information that it disseminates to be more responsive to

customers needs and preferences. Next, the Census Bureau needs to

better inform and educate its staff about the public's opinions of this

agency and its practices to help them better target communications and

to more effectively converse with them. Finally, the Census Bureau

would like to use this input to redefine its strategic goals and

activities in the post-2000 period.

The Census Bureau wants to endow all its employees with the

findings from this research to help them to individually and to

collectively implement the timely findings and recommendations from

this research. It is essential that the Census Bureau

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improve the focus and effectiveness of communications about census 2000

and other programs. With response rates sliding downward in general and

the Census Bureau's need to maintain and/or improve response rates to

its various censuses and surveys, most especially the census 2000, it

is imperative that we identify and develop effective mechanisms and

communications that will help identify and to remove barriers to

response. Equally significant to the Census Bureau's current plans for

effective outreach and targeted promotions is the need for early

identification and removal of barriers that limit or prohibit effective

communications with the public. We also need to share these findings

and recommendations about the public's mind set with Census Bureau

management as they prepare to redefine customer-focused strategic goals

and activities for the post-2000 era.

This research would complement and extend earlier research

sponsored by the Census Bureau. These studies focused on the public's

knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions about the Census Bureau and its

practices. The 1998 POS will bridge the gap of information collected

earlier about the specific public perceptions. This research will

further define/refine for the Census Bureau the public's image of it in

general, as a Federal Government agency, and as a statistics' collector

and provider. To more effectively inform, educate, and reach the public

with its communications, the Census Bureau needs to know how the public

sees, hears, reads, gets, or uses statistics and how it can more

effectively inform, educate, reach and/or involve them in forthcoming

activities.

II. Method of Collection

A contractor will conduct the national survey with telephone

interviewing using an automated survey instrument and a list-assisted

random digit dialing (RDD) sampling design. The RDD methodology will

incorporate a number of peripheral survey techniques that have been

shown to raise response rates. By applying results and recommendations

from earlier research, the Census Bureau will collect accurate and

reliable data with a maximal response rate and minimal bias.

III. Data

OMB Number: Not available.

Form Numbers: The automated survey instrument will not have a form

number.

Type of Review: Regular review.

Affected Public: Individuals or households.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,200.

Estimated Time Per Response: 15 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 300.

Estimated Total Annual Cost: The only cost to the respondents in

participating is that of their time.

Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.

Legal Authority: Title 13 United States Code, Section 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 0MB approval of this information

collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

Dated: September 15, 1998.

Linda Engelmeier,

Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information

Officer.

[FR Doc. 98-25153 Filed 9-18-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-07-P