Building Permits Survey Plan

The Census Bureau plans to conduct additional research under the generic clearance for questionnaire pretesting research (OMB number 0607-0725). We will conduct usability testing of the Internet reporting application for the Building Permits Survey (BPS). The purpose of the BPS is to provide current data on new residential construction. The BPS collects information from local governments on the number and valuation of new housing units authorized by building permits. The survey has both an annual and monthly component: the monthly survey consists of 9,000 selected permit-issuing offices and the annual survey consists of 11,000 permit offices that are not requested to report monthly. These data are collected via multiple modes, including mail and fax, and the electronic Centurion form is planned to be released in by early 2011.

Usability testing of the Internet application in Centurion will focus on issues such as the layout of questions and screens, the navigation within and between screens, and edits. Copies of the draft screens, as well as the first draft of the testing protocol, are enclosed.

From mid-September through mid-November, 2010, we will conduct two rounds of usability interviews with respondents from up to 24 building permit offices (BPOs) in four major cities, to be determined. Findings will be used to revise the BPS Internet application.

Interviews will be conducted at the BPO by staff from the Response Improvement Research Staff within the Economic Directorate of the Census Bureau. Subject area specialists from the BPS staff 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 respondents are recruited, participants will receive follow-up reminders about their appointments by fax, telephone, or email. 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 BPO. We estimate the length of the interviews will average 1 hour. Thus, the maximum estimated burden for this research is 24 hours.

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

Amy Anderson

Response Improvement Research Staff

U.S. Census Bureau

Washington, D.C. 20233

(301) 763-1836

Amy.E.Anderson@census.gov