Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals

Federal Register: March 27, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 60)

Notices

Page 16261-16262

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

DOCID:fr27mr08-21

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

The Department of Commerce will submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44

U.S.C. chapter 35).

Agency: U.S. Census Bureau.

Title: Current Population Survey, Basic Demographic Items.

Form Number(s): CPS-263, CPS-263(SP), CPS-264, CPS-264(SP), CPS- 266, BC-1428, BC-1428(SP), BC-1433, BC-1433(SP),CPS-692, CPS-504.

OMB Control Number: 0607-0049.

Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection.

Burden Hours: 18,013.

Number of Respondents: 59,000.

Average Hours Per Response: 1 and a half minutes.

Needs and Uses: The purpose of this request for review is for the

U.S. Census Bureau to obtain clearance from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for the collection of basic demographic information on the Current Population Survey (CPS). The CPS has been the source of official government statistics on employment and unemployment for over 50 years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Census Bureau jointly sponsor the basic monthly survey, and the Census Bureau prepares and conducts all the field work. The Census Bureau provides the BLS with data files and tables. The BLS seasonally adjusts, analyzes, and publishes the results for the labor force data in conjunction with the demographic characteristics. In accordance with the OMB's request, the Census Bureau and the BLS divide the clearance request in order to reflect the joint sponsorship and funding of the

CPS program. Title 29, United States Code, Sections 1-9, authorizes the collection of labor force data in the CPS.

The demographic information provides a unique set of data on selected characteristics for the civilian noninstitutional population.

Some of the demographic information Census collect is age, marital status, gender, Armed Forces status, education, race, origin, and family income. These data is used in conjunction with other data, particularly the monthly labor force data, as well as periodic supplement data. We also use these data independently for internal analytic research and for evaluation of other surveys. In addition, we need these data to correctly control estimates of other characteristics to the proper proportions of age, gender, race, and origin.

Census use the data from the CPS on household size and composition, age, education, ethnicity, and marital status to compile monthly averages or other aggregates for national and sub-national estimates.

The data is used in four principal ways: In association with other data, such as monthly labor force or periodic supplement publications; for internal analytic research; for evaluation of other surveys and survey results; and as a general purpose sample and survey.

The demographic data are central to the publication of all labor force data in the BLS' monthly report Employment and Earnings. The data set that results from combining the monthly labor force data with the demographic data provides analysts with the ability to understand labor force patterns of many subpopulation groups. This is particularly important since the federal government often directs initiatives at special groups that historically have not conformed to general labor force participation patterns.

Analysts also use the demographic data in association with all supplement publications. (Census describe supplements later in this section.) For example, publications that use these data are Fertility of American Women, School Enrollment--Social and Economic

Characteristics of Students and Educational Attainment in the United

States (Series P-20). Comparably, researchers are able to characterize the population within the subject area of the many supplements conducted in conjunction with the CPS. For instance, the Annual Social and Economic Supplement identifies which subpopulation groups, as established by the demographic variables, experience the highest incidence of poverty. While Census collect and support independently the demographic variables, the labor force data, and the supplement inquiries, their use as a combined data set enhances the utility of each.

The Census Bureau also uses the demographic data extensively for internal analytic work. For example, these data is used to develop estimates of family and household types and metropolitan and nonmetropolitan populations. Census use these estimates to identify population trends between decennial censuses and to analyze the growth and distribution of various racial and ethnic groups. It may then be used in preparing reports on these subjects or in determining the accuracy of population controls used throughout the Census Bureau. As is noted below, we use the demographic data to improve our postcensal population estimates (that is, the components of emigration and undocumented immigration).

Also, Census use the CPS as a source for other survey samples. A household remains in the CPS sample for 16 months. Other surveys conducted by the Census Bureau may use a CPS sample when it is no longer part of the CPS. In 2006, the National Survey of Fishing,

Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, sponsored by the

Department of the Interior, used retired cases from the CPS samples.

The ongoing American Time Use Survey, sponsored by the BLS uses expired

CPS sample. By using the CPS demographics to select their samples, other surveys have been able to avoid screening samples and to obtain accurate estimates by demographics.

Another use of the demographic data is in evaluating other survey results. For example, analysts control the results of the National

American Housing Survey to the CPS monthly averages of households.

Similarly, in order to determine the plausibility of the results

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of the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP), analysts continuously compare the data on household and family composition from the SIPP to the CPS monthly household and family composition data.

The Census Bureau often uses the CPS as a model and resource for improving the efficiency and quality of other surveys. For example, the

Census Bureau designed some series of items for the SIPP from the CPS.

Academicians and researchers have historically used the CPS to better understand the many complexities associated with sample surveys and household interviews in general.

In addition to the collection of demographic and labor force data, the CPS is also a major vehicle for the collection of supplemental questions on various socio-economic topics. In most months of the year supplemental questions are asked after the basic labor force questions of all eligible people in a household are obtained, thereby maximizing the utility of the CPS sample. The Census funding for the CPS and this

OMB clearance also provides for annual data on work experience, income, migration (Annual Social and Economic Supplement), and school enrollment of the population (October supplement). In addition Census collect biennial, but separately funded, data on the fertility and birth expectations of the women of child-bearing age (June), voting and registration (November) and child support and alimony. The BLS, the

Census Bureau, other government agencies, and private groups sponsor the supplements.

There have been changes and additions to the basic CPS demographic items (including coverage items and other non-labor force items) since the last request was submitted for an OMB clearance request for the basic CPS demographics in 2005.

Affected Public: Individuals or households.

Frequency: Monthly.

Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.

Legal Authority: Title 13, United States Code, Sections 141, 181, and 182 and Title 29, United States Code, Sections 1-9 authorize the collection of this information.

OMB Desk Officer: Brian Harris-Kojetin, (202) 395-7314.

Copies of the above information collection proposal can be obtained by calling or writing Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance

Officer, (202) 482-0266, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th and

Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at: dhynek@doc.gov).

Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to Brian Harris-Kojetin, OMB Desk Officer either by fax (202-395-7245) or e-mail (bharrisk@omb.eop.gov).

Gwellnar Banks,

Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.

FR Doc. E8-6257 Filed 3-26-08; 8:45 am

BILLING CODE 3510-07-P