Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Field Representatives/Enumerators Exit Questionnaire, 9521-9522 [E8-2929]

Agencies

• Census Bureau
• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 35 (Thursday, February 21, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9521-9522]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-2929]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Field 
Representatives/Enumerators Exit Questionnaire

AGENCY: U.S. Census Bureau, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: To ensure consideration, written comments must be submitted on 
or before April 21, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at dHynek@doc.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Darlene Moul, Census Bureau/Field Division, Room 
5H051, Washington, DC 20233, or 301-763-1935, or via the Internet at 
darlene.a.moul@census.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    In a continuous effort to devise policies and practices aimed at 
reducing turnover among interviewers, the Census Bureau collects data 
on the reasons interviewers voluntarily quit their jobs with the Census 
Bureau. The exit questionnaires, BC-1294 and BC-1294(D), are the 
instruments used to collect this data from a sample of former current 
survey interviewers (field representatives) and decennial census 
interviewers (enumerators/listers), respectively. Both forms ask 
questions about the factors that affected an interviewer's decision to 
voluntarily leave Census Bureau employment. Since the nature of census 
enumerator work differs from current survey interviewing, we created 
two questionnaires that are tailored to the operational differences. 
While the forms cover the same topics, the questions and response 
choices on the BC-1294 and BC-1294(D) reflect the differences in the 
current survey and decennial interviewing operations.
    Because of both the monetary cost associated with turnover and the 
potential impact on data quality, the retention of trained field 
interviewing staff is a major concern for the Census Bureau. 
Consequently the goal or purpose of the exit questionnaires is to 
identify the reasons for interviewer turnover and determine what the 
Census Bureau might have done, or can do, to influence interviewers not 
to leave. Therefore, the exit questionnaire seeks reasons interviewers 
quit, inquires about motivational factors that would have kept the 
interviewers from leaving, identifies training program strengths and 
areas for improvement, and explores the impact of automation and the 
influence of pay and other working conditions on turnover. The 
information provided by respondents to the exit questionnaire provides 
insight on the measures the Census Bureau might take to decrease 
turnover, and is useful in helping to determine if the reasons for 
interviewer turnover appear to be systemic or localized.
    To accomplish the goal of reducing interviewer turnover, Census 
Bureau planners and decision makers must fully understand the relative 
importance and interaction of possible contributory factors. From both 
the BC-1294 and BC-1294(D), we have learned that the causes of 
interviewer turnover are often

[[Page 9522]]

a combination of reasons rather than one single reason. We have also 
learned that there are some reasons for turnover which are within the 
Census Bureau's control and some which are not. This data is not 
available from any other source. The exit questionnaire is the only 
instrument that solicits the information we need to answer our 
questions concerning the impact of the various factors on Census Bureau 
interviewer turnover.
    As the environment in which surveys take place, the nature of 
surveys conducted, and the characteristics of our labor force continue 
to change, it is important that we continue to examine the 
interviewers' concerns about the job of a Census Bureau interviewer. 
The exit questionnaire has proven to be very useful and, therefore, we 
want to continue to use it. The data we collect from current survey 
interviewers and enumerators/listers during the 2010 decennial census 
will help the Census Bureau develop plans to reduce turnover. These 
results will also allow for better informed management decisions 
regarding the future field work force and the implementation of more 
effective recruitment, pay plans, interviewer training, and retention 
strategies.

II. Method of Collection

    The exit questionnaire will be administered by telephone. This 
methodology is employed due to the nature of the questions, which may 
require probing to obtain or clarify answers. In addition, telephone 
methodology has historically yielded response rates that are greater 
than those obtained from similar mail out/mail back methodologies, 
especially when the collection interval is relatively short, and the 
audience is former employees.
    A sample of former employees will be called and asked a series of 
questions about when and why they voluntarily quit their job. The 
sample will not include interviewers (current survey or decennial) who 
have been terminated for cause. Interviews with former field 
representatives should take approximately seven (7) minutes. Because of 
the nature of some of the questions on the BC-1294(D), interviews with 
former enumerators/listers should take approximately ten (10) minutes. 
We estimate that interviews will be conducted with a total of 500 field 
representatives and 1,000 enumerators on a yearly basis.
    For Former Field Representatives: Approximately every month, a 
sample of one-half of all interviewers who voluntarily resigned, within 
a given sampling period, will be contacted by telephone to complete a 
questionnaire. The sample size will vary since it is dependent on the 
universe size, which varies from one sampling period to the next.
    For Former 2010 Census Enumerators and Listers: Beginning 
approximately two weeks after the start of decennial field operations 
(Address Canvassing, Update/Enumerate and Nonresponse-Followup), all 
enumerators or listers who have been in a continuous non-pay status for 
a period of two weeks will be contacted by telephone and asked to 
complete a questionnaire.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0607-0404.
    Form Number: BC-1294, BC-1294(D).
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Former Census Bureau Interviewers (Field 
Representatives and Enumerators/Listers).
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 500 Former Current Survey 
Interviewers; 1000 Former 2010 Census Enumerators/Listers.
    Estimated Time per Response: Seven (7) minutes for Former Current 
Survey Interviewers; Ten (10) minutes for Census Enumerator/Listers.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 226 hours (59 hours for 
Current Survey Interviewers; 167 hours for Census Enumerators/Listers).
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: Approximately $4,000 for the BC-1294. 
Additional cost for administering the BC-1294(D) during decennial 
operations is approximately $8,000. The Census Bureau will bear this 
cost. There is no cost to respondents other than their time.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: Title 15 U.S.C., section 3101 and Title 13, U.S.C. 
section 23.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: February 12, 2008.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. E8-2929 Filed 2-20-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P