Cognitive Research Plan -- 2010 ACS

The purpose of this letter is to inform you of our plans to conduct additional research under the generic clearance for questionnaire pretesting research (OMB number 0607-0725). We will be conducting cognitive research on eight question topics developed under the auspices of the Interagency Committee for the American Community Survey (ACS) and related subject-area subcommittees. These questions are being tested for inclusion in the ACS Content Test that will be fielded in the fall of 2010.

Testing will be conducted in English and Spanish for the eight topic areas containing new or revised questions, which are as follows:

• Computer and Internet usage (new) – three versions;

• Parental place of birth (new) – three versions;

• Veterans identification (revised) – three versions;

• Veterans period of service (revised) – two versions;

• Food Stamps (revised) – two versions;

• Public assistance income (revised) – two versions;

• Wages income (revised) – two versions – CATI/CAPI only; and

• Property income (revised) – two versions – CATI/CAPI only.

We have enclosed a matrix containing each version of the question to be tested, as well as current English and Spanish versions of the paper questionnaire. The contractors currently are developing the testing protocol. The enclosed matrix also includes the suggested probes from question sponsors. These probes were given to the contractors to help them understand possible issues to probe when developing the protocol.

Starting in April 2009, contractors plan to conduct between 174 and 232 cognitive interviews in self-administered and interviewer-administered modes. Interviews will be conducted in areas around Washington, DC; Chicago, Illinois; and Research Triangle, North Carolina as well as in Puerto Rico. One other location may be added if sufficient recruits with desired characteristics cannot be found in these areas.

Participants will complete a portion of the ACS interview—the specific portion will depend on the question topics for which they are targeted. Following this, the cognitive interviewer will conduct a retrospective debriefing to better understand the participant’s understanding of the questions.

Interviews will be audiotaped, with participants’ permission, to facilitate analysis of the results. Participants will be informed that their response is voluntary and that the information they provide is confidential and will be seen only by employees involved in the research project. Participants will receive $40 for their participation in this research.

We estimate that these interviews will take approximately one hour each. Thus, the maximum total estimated burden for this research is 232 hours.

The contact person for questions regarding this research is:

Susan Ciochetto

Content and Mail Collection Branch

American Community Survey Office

U.S. Census Bureau

Room 3K270A

Washington, DC 20233

(301) 763-4951

susan.m.ciochetto@census.gov