ASM & COS Internet Reporting Pretesting Plan

The U.S. Census Bureau plans to conduct additional research under the generic clearance for questionnaire pretesting research (OMB No. 0607-0725). We will conduct usability testing of the Internet reporting application for the 2010 Annual Survey of Manufactures (ASM) and the 2010 Report of Organization. The ASM provides current measures for the U.S. manufacturing industry’s outputs, inputs, and operating status. These data from the ASM are the primary basis for updates to the Longitudinal Research Database. The Report of Organization obtains current organization and operating information in order to maintain the Census Bureau’s Business Register.

Starting in 2010, single unit establishments will have the opportunity to report their data to the ASM and the Report of Organization using an Internet application called Centurion. Prior to 2010, single-unit respondents interested in reporting electronically were required to download a data collection instrument called Surveyor. Multi-unit businesses are required to provide more information for the ASM and the Report of Organization. Special features, such as exporting and importing, are included in Surveyor to assist multi-unit businesses. Debriefing interviews with single-unit respondents subsequent to the 2007 Economic Census revealed a desire for an electronic data collection instrument that was simpler and could be accessed directly on the Internet.

We plan to conduct usability testing on the electronic versions of the 2010 ASM and the Report of Organization. Usability testing of the Internet application will focus on issues such as the layout of questions and screens, the navigation within and between screens, the main menu, the submission process, and edits. Special attention will be paid to the submission process and between screen navigation which are designed differently than other Centurion surveys. Copies of the draft screens, as well as the draft testing protocol, are enclosed

From June through August 2010, we will conduct up to two rounds of usability interviews with respondents from up to 24 businesses in two major cities (to be determined) and the Washington, DC area. Findings will be used to revise the ASM and the Report of Organization Internet application.

Interviews will be conducted at the business site by staff from the Response Improvement Research staff within the Census Bureau’s Economic Directorate. Subject area specialists from the ASM staff and staff from the project team involved in designing these surveys will accompany the usability tester 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 by fax, telephone, or e-mail via the Census Bureau’s Secure Messaging Center. 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 or special sworn employees involved in the research project. We will not provide monetary incentives to participants in this study.

We estimate that it will be necessary to interview only one respondent at each company, and the length of the interviews will average one hour. Thus, the maximum estimated burden for this research is 24 hours.

If you have any questions regarding data collection and statistical aspects of the design of this research, please contact the following individual:

Amy Anderson

Response Improvement Research Staff

U.S. Census Bureau

Washington, D.C. 20233

(301) 763-7544

Amy.E.Anderson@census.gov