2010 ReSIPP Dress Rehearsal Section B Revised.wpd

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

U.S. Department of Commerce

U.S. Census Bureau

2010 Re-engineered Dress Rehearsal of the Survey of Income & Program Participation

B. Collection of Information Employing Statistical Methods

1. Universe and Respondent Selection

The SIPP respondent universe is the civilian noninstitutionalized population based on the 2000 decennial census, which contains approximately 270 million individuals. The SIPP uses a multistage stratified sample of the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population. The first stage involves the definition and division of the United States into groups of counties called the Primary Sampling Units (PSU), which are assembled into homogeneous groups called strata. The second stage involves selection of units within the PSU.

The 2010 Re-engineered SIPP Dress Rehearsal sample is the third sample for the SIPP to be fielded from the 2000 redesign of the sample. There are 351 PSUs in the 2000 redesigned SIPP and in sample for the 2010 Dress Rehearsal. The selected PSUs in the 2000 SIPP sample design cover both urban and rural areas of the United States and many were also in the 1990 SIPP sample design. PSU definitions, address lists, and area segments are all based on the 2000 decennial census.

Within each PSU living quarters (LQ) are systematically selected from lists of addresses prepared for the 2000 decennial census. Other sampling techniques are used to represent new construction, group quarters, and areas where incomplete addresses are common. Low income households were over sampled from the lists of addresses prepared for the census and from the lists of incomplete addresses. Were are taking sample from the 2000 redesign sample from the following states: CT, MA, NY, RI, MD, IL, WI, LA, TX, and CA. Basically, we are taking all the unit frame sample we have selected for SIPP from the high poverty stratum in self representing PSUs in two sample designations. The 2010 Re-engineered SIPP Dress Rehearsal sample will consist of approximately 8,000 designated LQs, of which approximately 6,400 will be occupied at the time of interview and about 5,120 will be interviewed. Each household contains an average of 2.1 eligible respondents; therefore, 2010 Re-engineered SIPP Dress Rehearsal should contain approximately 10,752 survey respondents. The expected response rate for this dress rehearsal is 75-80%.

2. Procedures for Collecting Information

In sample households, all people 15 years old and over will be interviewed using regular proxy-respondent rules. The interviewing period of the 2010 Re-engineered SIPP Dress Rehearsal is as follows:

January 2010 to March 2010: Dress Rehearsal

We expect to obtain 10,752 respondent interviews in the 2010 Re-engineered SIPP Dress Rehearsal. The estimated total burden hours is 5,376.

3. Methods to Maximize Response

In all SIPP Panels we make special efforts to minimize non-interviews. In each wave, every household in the active sample receives an advance letter that explains the purpose of the survey and why their cooperation is important. In the 2010 Re-engineered SIPP dress rehearsal each household will be given a portfolio that contains information about the SIPP and brochures informing respondents about the Census Bureau and our commitment to confidentiality.

During the 1996 and 2001 SIPP Panels the Census Bureau experimented with giving monetary incentives to households in order to maximize response. Based on results from these experiments we implemented the use of incentives in the 2004 and 2008 Panels. The Census Bureau’s plans are to not continue the Incentive Test during the 2010 Re-engineered SIPP Dress Rehearsal.

4. Tests of Procedures

The current 2010 Re-engineered SIPP Dress Rehearsal is part of a program of evaluation and development emerging from a comprehensive reassessment of the SIPP. The Re-Engineered SIPP is an evolving process and will have multiple developmental and testing stages. The 2010 Re-engineered SIPP Dress Rehearsal as outlined above will test the full implementation of the Re-engineered SIPP. These developmental stages are interspersed by a series of smaller, specifically focused content, instrument, and systems tests.

5. Contacts for Statistical Aspects and Data Collection

The Census Bureau will collect and process these data. Within the Census Bureau, the following individuals should be consulted for further information on their areas of expertise:

Sample Design

Tracy Mattingly Chief, SIPP Branch

Demographic Statistical Methods Division

301-763-6445

Data Content

David Johnson Chief, Housing and Household Economic Statistics Division

301-763-6443

Data Collection and Tabulation

Patrick Benton Chief, Income Surveys Branch

Demographic Surveys Division

301-763-4618

Attachments

A. 2010 Re-engineered SIPP Instrument

B. SIPP-2010DR105(L)–Director's Letter

C. SIPP-2010DR105(SP)–Director's Letter Spanish Version

D. Additional Field Support Interview Questions

E. Respondent Debriefing Instructions

F. Respondent Calendar Aid