Testing Plan

The Census Bureau plans to conduct additional research under the generic clearance for questionnaire pretesting research (OMB number 0607-0725). We will be conducting usability testing of the Internet reporting application for the 2008 Annual Services Report; Services Annual Survey (SAS). This mandatory survey is conducted annually and measures economic information from many non-good producing industries. The electronic version of the SAS will be available to respondents beginning with the 2008 data collection period.

Usability testing of the Internet reporting application will focus on issues such as the layout of questions and screens, the navigation within and between screens, edits, and submission. For the purposes of our testing, we will be focusing on four different SAS forms: General Freight and Trucking (SA-484), Hospitals (SA-62TE), Software Publishing (SA-5112), and Computer System Design (SA-5415). Enclosed are example screens from each of these electronic surveys.

From April, 2008, through July, 2008, we will conduct two rounds of usability testing. The first round of usability testing during April and May, 2008, will include 24 visits in three major U.S. cities to be determined. The second round of testing during June and July, 2008, will include 16 visits in two major U.S. cities to be determined. There are 75 different forms associated with SAS. The layout and design among all of the forms is very similar with only minor industry-related differences among them. We will recruit businesses of varying size that are assigned to each of the four forms selected for testing.

Interviews will be conducted at the business site by staff from the Establishment Survey Methods Staff within the Census Bureau’s Office of Statistical Methods and Research for Economic Programs. Subject area specialists from the Census Bureau will accompany the usability researcher on most, if not all, of the interviews. They will assist with respondent debriefing, especially in cases where additional clarification of the subject matter is required. Interviews will be audio recorded with the participants’ permission, to aid researchers in accurately reporting findings and recommendations.

After businesses are recruited, participants will receive follow-up reminders about their appointments. Participants will be informed that their response is voluntary and that the information they provide is confidential and will be seen only by Census Bureau special sworn employees involved in the research project. We will not be providing monetary incentives to participants in this study.

We estimate that it will be necessary to interview only one respondent at each company. We estimate the length of the interviews will average one hour. Thus, the maximum estimated burden for this research is 40 hours.

The contact person for questions regarding data collection and statistical aspects of the design of this research is:

Amy E. Anderson

Establishment Survey Methods Staff

7K130F

U.S. Census Bureau

Washington, D.C. 20233

(301) 763-7544

Amy.E.Anderson@census.gov