# The 1998 Public Opinion Survey > Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more. URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A98-25153 ## Record - **Collection:** Federal Register - **Document type:** Notice - **Published:** September 21, 1998 - **Citation:** 63 FR 50209 ## Text DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Bureau of the Census The 1998 Public Opinion Survey ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 [[Page 50210]] 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 --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A98-25153. Public record. Not legal advice.