Business R&R and Innovation Survey New Questions Pretesting Plan

The Census Bureau plans to conduct additional research under the generic clearance for questionnaire pretesting research (OMB number 0607-0725). We will conduct early stage scoping and cognitive testing of several new proposed questions to be added to the Business R&D and Innovation Survey (BRD-1). The Business R&D and Innovation Survey is an ongoing survey co-sponsored by the U.S. Census Bureau and the National Science Foundation. The proposed questions ask about gestation lags and service life of R&D processes and products.

The purpose of these questions is to provide the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) with the necessary information to move R&D spending from the expense portfolio of the national accounts to the investment portfolio in 2013.

From late June through September, 2010, staff from the Response Improvement Research Staff within the Economic Directorate of the Census Bureau will conduct one round of early stage scoping interviews and two rounds of cognitive interviews. The early stage scoping interviews will be conducted with a small number of respondents (5-8), either locally or in one metropolitan area, to be determined, or possibly by phone. The cognitive interviews will be with respondents from 30- 40 businesses in 3-4 metropolitan areas, to be determined. We will attempt to obtain interviews with businesses that vary in size and complexity.

The early stage scoping interviews are designed to explore respondents’ understanding of the topics, determine data availability, understand the vocabulary used by respondents and explore survey process issues. Results from early stage scoping will be used to specify survey questions. The goals of the cognitive interviewing are to determine whether respondents understand and can answer the draft questions in a manner that meets the question intent, identifies likely respondents and data retrieval strategies, and follows up on other related reporting issues or concerns. Results will be used to refine the questions and determine the appropriate location for them in the form. Enclosed (Attachments 1 and 2) are an early draft of the questions and a draft protocol for the early stage scoping interviews.

All interviews will be conducted at the business site and subject area specialists from the Manufacturing and Construction Division staff and the National Science Foundation will accompany the research interviewer 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 (SMC). 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 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 that, on average, both the early stage scoping interviews and the cognitive interviews will take an-hour-and-a-half. Thus, the total estimated burden is 72 hours.

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

Kristin J. Stettler

Response Improvement Research Staff

U.S. Census Bureau,

Washington, D.C. 20233

(301) 763-7596

Kristin.J.Stettler@census.gov