Census 2000 Content Reinterview Survey

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau

Census 2000 Content Reinterview 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 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: Written comments must be submitted on or before December 13,

1999.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier,

Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room

5027, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230 (or via

the Internet at LE[email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or

copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions

should be directed to Joy Sharp, Census Bureau, Room 3484/3,

Washington, DC 20233; (301) 457-3869.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

As part of its plan to evaluate the quality of data collected in

the Census 2000, the Census Bureau plans to conduct the Census 2000

Content Reinterview Survey (CRS). The evaluation of the quality of data

collected in the Census 2000 is important for both data users and

census planners. Data users must have knowledge of the accuracy and

reliability of the data in order to make informed decisions about how

errors in the data may affect the conclusions they draw from analyzing

the data. Census planners require similar information to develop and

test methods to improve the overall quality of the data produced in

future censuses.

The methods used to collect and process census data are complex and

subject to error. One particular type of error, response error, arises

from the erroneous or unreliable reporting of characteristics. Response

error in the decennial census has traditionally been measured through

content reinterview surveys. The Census Bureau first began conducting a

census CRS after the 1950

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census and continued to conduct one for each of the following censuses.

The purpose of the CRS is twofold. First, it will be used to

estimate response variance for most items on the census long form. To

measure response variance, the reinterview will re-ask the same set of

questions applying, to the extent possible, similar survey procedures

and replicating a similar set of conditions. Secondly, the reinterview

will be used to make historical comparisons to previous studies of

census content error.

The CRS will attempt to evaluate errors introduced in the actual

collection and capture of the data. Contributors to response variance

include, but are not limited to, the following: questionnaire design,

interview administration mode, question wording, inadequate

instruction, interviewer effects, and deliberate falsification by the

respondent or interviewer. In addition, sources of procedural error

(e.g., scanning and data capture errors) will also be reflected in the

response variance.

II. Method of Collection

Approximately 25,000 housing units that are designated to receive

the census long form will be selected for reinterview purposes.

Approximately one month following census enumeration, Census Bureau

field representatives (FRs) will recontact selected households and

reinterview them by asking the identical items as posed by the

decennial long form. Only minor modifications will be made to the

census long form to account for needed reinterview instructions,

reference period changes, etc. The reinterview questionnaire will also

collect data on only one randomly selected person in the household to

reduce the burden placed on the household.

The mode of administration for the reinterview survey will be

telephone and personal visit and interviews will be conducted by each

of the twelve census regional offices. FRs will first attempt to reach

households by telephone; however, if a telephone number is not

available or there are other difficulties in reaching the household by

telephone, FRs will make a personal visit to the sampled household to

collect the requested information. The FR will administer the interview

using a paper questionnaire, similar to the census long form. To the

extent possible, all other interviewing procedures applied during the

reinterview will replicate those used during census enumeration.

Following the conclusion of data collection, reinterview data will

then be matched to a census data file. Data from these two sources will

then be analyzed to evaluate how responses provided during census

enumeration compare to those collected in the reinterview process.

An interviewer quality control program will check households

classified as ineligible for the CRS to detect and deter falsification.

Units with unacceptable within-household match rates will be revisited

to determine whether the interviewer conducted the CRS interview.

III. Data

OMB Number: Not Available.

Form Number: Not Available (The questionnaire is nearly identical

to the Census 2000 long form but will have a unique form number).

Type of Review: Regular submission.

Affected Public: Households.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 25,000.

Estimated Time Per Response: 20 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 8,333 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Cost: There is no cost to the respondent

other than the time to complete the information request.

Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.

Legal Authority: Title 13 United States Code, 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 a 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

appropriate automated collection techniques or other forms of

information technology.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized or

included in the request for OMB approval of this information

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

Dated: October 6, 1999.

Linda Engelmeier,

Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information

Officer.

[FR Doc. 99-26498 Filed 10-8-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-07-P