SNA_ss_062010 Part Brev

SUPPORTING STATEMENT
NORTHEAST REGIONAL OCEAN COUNCIL SOCIAL NETWORK ANALYSIS
OMB CONTROL NO. 0648-xxxx

B. COLLECTIONS OF INFORMATION EMPLOYING STATISTICAL METHODS
1. Describe (including a numerical estimate) the potential respondent universe and any
sampling or other respondent selection method to be used. Data on the number of entities
(e.g. establishments, State and local governmental units, households, or persons) in the
universe and the corresponding sample are to be provided in tabular form. The tabulation
must also include expected response rates for the collection as a whole. If the collection has
been conducted before, provide the actual response rate achieved.
The universe of respondents for this information collection comprises the Northeast Regional
Ocean Council’s members. This is currently limited to 45 respondents (see table provided
below). The NROC chairman supports this data collection; therefore a response rate of at least
70% is expected. The estimated time necessary for each respondent to complete the
questionnaire is 10 minutes, based on trials with Center staff, with a total of 7 hours and 30
minutes (8 hours).
Entity Affiliation

Sample Number

State Government

22

Federal Government

19

Research/Education

2

Non-Profit

1

Private

1

Total Sample Size

45

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2. Describe the procedures for the collection, including: the statistical methodology for
stratification and sample selection; the estimation procedure; the degree of accuracy
needed for the purpose described in the justification; any unusual problems requiring
specialized sampling procedures; and any use of periodic (less frequent than annual) data
collection cycles to reduce burden.
No statistical methodology has been applied to stratify the sample. This will be a census survey.
3. Describe the methods used to maximize response rates and to deal with non-response.
The accuracy and reliability of the information collected must be shown to be adequate for
the intended uses. For collections based on sampling, a special justification must be
provided if they will not yield "reliable" data that can be generalized to the universe
studied.
The intent of this information collection is to evaluate the efficiency of the network, where gaps
may exist, and additional partnerships that would benefit the Council’s work. To improve
response rates for this information collection, respondents will be sent a pre-notification email
announcing the survey one week prior to the distribution of the survey. The following week,
respondents will be sent the survey link via email. Respondents will be asked to complete the
survey online and submit it (or fax or postal mail if desired) within two weeks of receipt. At oneweek intervals for three weeks following the initial distribution of the survey, reminder emails
and replacement copies of the survey will be sent to respondents who have not yet returned their
completed surveys. Similar reminder letters will be sent using postal mail for any respondents
who request printed version of the survey by postal mail. Non-response testing will be conducted
via telephone with those individuals who have not responded to repeated survey solicitation, in
order to ascertain the existence of appreciable differences in respondent characteristics and
survey responses. The non-response testing will account for significant difference in mean
scores, and descriptive factors such as agency affiliation. Aside from a subset of survey
questions, specific questions asked will include agency affiliation, if they received the survey
notifications, if yes, did they intend to respond, and the volume of time they spend when
engaging in North Atlantic Regional Team (NART)* related activities. These questions will
assist in determining potential causes as to why certain individuals failed to initially participate
and if there was any distinguishing characteristics present within this group.
4. Describe any tests of procedures or methods to be undertaken. Tests are encouraged as
effective means to refine collections, but if ten or more test respondents are involved OMB
must give prior approval.
Draft versions of this survey were circulated for review and comment to fellow NOAA staff with
relevant content knowledge of items listed on the survey instrument. Reviewers were asked to
offer feedback on the length, clarity of questions, content, or other aspects to improve the
*NART is a relatively small federal working group of approximately 22 member, with some overlapping membership with.
NROC.

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questionnaire. Comments from reviewers were helpful and resulted in design, content, and
wording changes to clarify questions and instructions.
5. Provide the name and telephone number of individuals consulted on the statistical
aspects of the design, and the name of the agency unit, contractor(s), grantee(s), or other
person(s) who will actually collect and/or analyze the information for the agency.
No statistical sampling methods will be used in this information collection.
MRAG Americas will conduct the survey and collect and analyze all responses. However the
survey invitation will be sent on behalf of the Northeast Regional Council Co-chairs.

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MRAG Americas, Inc.,
65 Eastern Avenue, Unit B2C
Essex, MA 01928
Ph. 978-768-3880
Contact: Jill Swasey, jill.swasey@mragamericas.com

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