Generic Clearance Supporting Statement Part B-2023-FINAL

Federal Trade Commission
Supporting Statement Part B
Generic Clearance for the Collection of
Qualitative Feedback on Agency Service Delivery
(OMB Control No. 3084-0159)
B. STATISTICAL METHODS
Data collection methods and procedures will vary; however, the primary purpose of these
collections will be for internal management purposes; there are no plans to publish or
otherwise release this information.
1. Universe and Respondent Selection
The activities under this clearance may involve samples of self-selected customers, as
well as convenience samples, and quota samples, with respondents selected either to
cover a broad range of customers or to include specific characteristics related to
certain products or services. Results will not be used to make statements
representative of the universe of study, to produce statistical descriptions (careful,
repeatable measurements), or to generalize the data beyond the scope of the sample.
The specific sample planned for each individual collection and the method for
soliciting participation will be described fully in each collection request.
Qualitative surveys are tools used by program managers to change or improve
programs, products, or services. The accuracy, reliability, and applicability of the
results of these surveys are adequate for their purpose.
The samples associated with this collection are not subjected to the same scrutiny as
scientifically drawn samples where estimates are published or otherwise released to
the public.
2. Procedures for Collecting Information
Data collection methods and procedures will vary and the specifics of these will be
provided with each collection request. The FTC expects to use a variety of
methodologies for these collections. For example, the FTC or its contractors may use
commercial survey-specific software to automate its collection and analysis of
feedback. In addition to physical copies, information collection instruments may be
electronically disseminated and/or posted on target pages of the FTC’s web site.
Telephone scripts, personal interviews, and focus groups with professional guidance
and moderation may also be used.

3. Methods to Maximize Response
Information collected under this generic clearance will not yield generalizable
quantitative findings; it can provide useful customer input, but it does not yield data
about customer opinions that can be generalized.
4. Testing of Procedures
Pretesting may be done with internal staff, a limited number of external colleagues,
and/or customers who are familiar with the programs and products. If the number of
pretest respondents exceeds nine members of the public, the FTC will submit the
pretest instruments for review under this generic clearance.
5. Contacts for Statistical Aspects and Data Collection
Each program will obtain information from statisticians in the development, design,
conduct, and analysis of customer/partner service surveys, when appropriate. This
statistical expertise will be available from agency statisticians or from contractors and
the FTC will include the names and contact information of persons consulted in the
specific information collection requests submitted under this generic clearance.

2