Notice of Intent to Request New Information Collection, 36513-36515 [2011-15474]
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 120 / Wednesday, June 22, 2011 / Notices
and a reassignment of surplus cane
sugar allotment to imports. The OAQ
was increased due to an increase in
estimated sugar demand since the FY
2011 OAQ was established in August
2010. The beet sugar allotment is now
5,108,900 STRV, and the cane sugar
allotment is 3,366,100 STRV. The FY
2011 cane sector allotment and cane
state allotments after the OAQ increase
were larger than could be fulfilled by
domestically-produced cane sugar; so
the surplus was reassigned to raw sugar
imports, as required by law. Upon
review of the domestic sugarcane
processors’ sugar marketing allocations
relative to their FY 2011 expected raw
sugar supplies, CCC determined that all
sugarcane processors had surplus
allocation. Therefore, all sugarcane
states’ sugar marketing allotments are
reduced with this reassignment. The
new cane state allotments are Florida,
1,464,666 STRV; Louisiana, 1,526,050
STRV; Texas, 147,138 STRV; and
Hawaii, 228,246 STRV. The FY 2011
sugar marketing allotment program will
not prevent any domestic sugarcane
processors from marketing all of their
FY 2011 sugar supply.
On August 5, 2010, USDA established
the FY 2011 TRQ for raw cane sugar at
1,231,497 STRV (1,117,195 metric tons
raw value, MTRV*), the minimum to
which the United States is committed
under the World Trade Organization
(WTO) Uruguay Round Agreements. On
April 11, 2011, USDA announced a
reassignment of surplus sugar under
domestic cane sugar allotments of
325,000 STRV (294,835 MTRV) to
imports, and increased the FY 2011 raw
sugar TRQ by the same amount.
Pursuant to Additional U.S. Note 5 to
Chapter 17 of the U.S. Harmonized
Tariff Schedule (HTS) and Section 359k
of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of
1938, as amended, the Secretary of
Agriculture today further increased the
quantity of raw cane sugar imports of
the HTS subject to the lower tier of
duties during FY 2011 by 120,000 STRV
(108,862 MTRV). With this increase, the
overall FY 2011 raw sugar TRQ is now
1,676,497 STRV (1,520,892 MTRV). Raw
cane sugar under this quota must be
accompanied by a certificate for quota
eligibility and may be entered under
subheading 1701.11.10 of the HTS until
September 30, 2011. The Office of the
U.S. Trade Representative will allocate
this increase among supplying countries
and customs areas.
This action is being taken after a
determination that additional supplies
of raw cane sugar are required in the
U.S. market. USDA will closely monitor
stocks, consumption, imports and all
sugar market and program variables on
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:40 Jun 21, 2011
Jkt 223001
an ongoing basis, and may make further
program adjustments during FY 2011 if
needed.
* Conversion factor: 1 metric ton =
1.10231125 short tons.
Dated: June 16, 2011.
Michael T. Scuse,
Acting Under Secretary, Farm and Foreign
Agricultural Services and Acting President,
Commodity Credit Corporation.
[FR Doc. 2011–15521 Filed 6–21–11; 8:45 am]
36513
requirements of 35 U.S.C. 209 and 37
CFR 404.7.
Richard J. Brenner,
Assistant Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2011–15468 Filed 6–21–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–03–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Economic Research Service
BILLING CODE 3410–10–P
Notice of Intent to Request New
Information Collection
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
AGENCY:
Agricultural Research Service
Notice of Intent To Grant Exclusive
License
AGENCY:
Agricultural Research Service,
USDA.
ACTION:
Notice of intent.
Notice is hereby given that
the U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Agricultural Research Service, intends
to grant to New Varieties Development
& Management Corporation of Lakeland,
Florida, an exclusive license to the
variety of citrus claimed in U.S. Plant
Patent Application Serial No.
12/931,765, ‘‘Mandarin Tree Named US
Early Pride,’’ filed on February 10, 2011.
SUMMARY:
Comments must be received on
or before July 22, 2011.
DATES:
Send comments to: USDA,
ARS, Office of Technology Transfer,
5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Rm. 4–1174,
Beltsville, Maryland 20705–5131.
ADDRESSES:
June
Blalock of the Office of Technology
Transfer at the Beltsville address given
above; telephone: 301–504–5989.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
The
Federal Government’s rights in this
plant variety are assigned to the United
States of America, as represented by the
Secretary of Agriculture. It is in the
public interest to so license this variety
as New Varieties Development &
Management Corporation of Lakeland,
Florida has submitted a complete and
sufficient application for a license. The
prospective exclusive license will be
royalty-bearing and will comply with
the terms and conditions of 35 U.S.C.
209 and 37 CFR 404.7. The prospective
exclusive license may be granted unless,
within thirty (30) days from the date of
this published Notice, the Agricultural
Research Service receives written
evidence and argument which
establishes that the grant of the license
would not be consistent with the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
PO 00000
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Economic Research Service,
USDA.
ACTION: Notice and request for
comments.
In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this
notice invites the general public and
other public agencies to send comments
regarding any aspect of this proposed
information collection. This is a new
collection for the Rural Establishment
Innovation Survey.
DATES: Written comments on this notice
must be received on or before August
22, 2011 to be assured of consideration.
ADDRESSES: Address all comments
concerning this notice to Tim Wojan,
Resource and Rural Economics Division,
Economic Research Service, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, 1800 M St.,
NW., Room N4110, Washington, DC
20036–5801. Comments may also be
submitted via fax to the attention of Tim
Wojan at 202–694–5756 or via e-mail to
twojan@ers.usda.gov. Comments will
also be accepted through the Federal
eRulemaking Portal. Go to https://
www.regulations.gov, and follow the
online instructions for submitting
comments electronically.
All written comments will be open for
public inspection at the office of the
Economic Research Service during
regular business hours (8:30 a.m. to 5
p.m., Monday through Friday) at 1800
M St., NW., Room N4110, Washington,
DC 20036–5801.
All responses to this notice will be
summarized and included in the request
for Office of Management and Budget
approval. All comments and replies will
be a matter of public record. 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 of the
proposed collection of information,
including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used; (c)
ways to enhance the quality, utility, and
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\22JNN1.SGM
22JNN1
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
36514
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 120 / Wednesday, June 22, 2011 / Notices
clarity of the information to be
collected; and (d) ways to minimize the
burden of the collection of information
on those who are to respond, including
use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other
technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
further information contact Tim Wojan
at the address in the preamble. Tel. 202–
694–5419.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Rural Establishment Innovation
Survey.
OMB Number: 0536–XXXX.
Expiration Date: Three years from the
date of approval.
Type of Request: New collection.
Abstract: This survey of business
establishments, funded through USDA’s
Rural Development Mission Area, will
be conducted over a 6-month period
with up to 30,000 respondents to collect
information on rural tradable business
sectors such as manufacturing and
professional services. This information
will contribute to a better understanding
of how rural businesses and their
communities are dealing with the
increasing competitive pressures and
opportunities associated with the spread
of new information technologies
through our economy and the business
and community characteristics
associated with effective response to
these pressures and opportunities. This
information is critical to the Rural
Development Mission Area’s aim of
creating jobs, developing new markets
and increasing competitiveness for rural
businesses and communities.
The information to be collected by the
Rural Establishment Innovation Survey
is necessary to understand: (1) The
adoption of innovative practices and
their contribution to firm productivity;
(2) the availability and use of local and
regional assets (such as workforce
education, local financial institutions,
strong local business and other
economic associations, and
transportation infrastructure) and the
association of these assets with
successful adjustment; and (3) the
extent and importance of participation
in Federal, State and local programs
designed to promote rural business
vitality and growth. This need is made
more urgent by increased international
competition in goods and some service
markets, particularly from low labor
cost countries. The traditional cost
advantage of domestic rural
establishments has been significantly
eroded by these developments,
requiring emphasis on new products,
new processes, new marketing channels
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:40 Jun 21, 2011
Jkt 223001
and improved customer service. A
thorough understanding of the viability
of the rural business sector requires
collecting information on the capability
for innovation.
As the first collection of information
devoted specifically to innovation in
rural business establishments, the
proposed survey will complement other
Federal efforts in gauging innovative
activity in the private sector.
Information on formal research and
development (R&D) activities is
collected by the National Science
Foundation using the Business R&D and
Innovation Survey. While some of this
formal research and development
activity takes place in nonmetropolitan
counties, it is anticipated that the great
majority of rural innovation occurs less
through the creation of new patentable
products than through the adoption of
new practices and niche marketing. The
emphasis of the proposed collection
will be on understanding the process of
innovation in business establishments
as opposed to measuring R&D inputs.
Another difference between this and
other Federal surveys on innovative
activity will be the focus on constraints
to innovation stemming from
nonmetropolitan locations. Information
on the availability of skilled workers
and the ability to recruit managers and
professionals will inform possible
human capital impediments to
innovation. Information on access to
credit needed for business formation
and development will allow for
assessing financing impediments to
innovation. Information on the
availability of broadband Internet
service and how this capability affects
business strategy will allow assessing
infrastructure impediments to
innovation. Information on interaction
with suppliers, customers, competitors,
business associations and other local
institutions providing real services to
the establishment will inform the
importance of regional clusters to
innovation.
The survey will collect data from
about 30,000 business establishments in
tradable sectors that will include
mining, manufacturing, wholesale trade,
transportation and warehousing,
information, finance and insurance,
professional/scientific/technical
services, arts, and management of
businesses. Only businesses with 5 or
more employees will be included in the
sample. While the focus of the survey
will be on establishments in
nonmetropolitan counties,
establishments from metropolitan
counties will be sampled in adequate
numbers to allow comparative analysis.
Businesses will be selected at random
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
from strata defined by establishment
size categories, industry and
metropolitan or nonmetropolitan status
of the county. The sample will be
selected from the business
establishment list maintained by state
employment security departments
where state approval is granted, and
from a proprietary business
establishment list frame for those states
where approval is not granted. The
much more comprehensive coverage of
new and small establishments available
in state administrative data provides a
compelling argument for this hybrid
sample frame approach, as these
establishments are critical to examining
processes of entrepreneurship and
innovation.
The interview protocol will include a
screening interview to identify the most
knowledgeable person in the
establishment to respond to questions
regarding innovative activities of the
entity. Screening greatly improves the
quality and effectiveness of the contact
information. The most appropriate
phone number, e-mail address and
mailing address will be collected at this
time to allow efficient distribution of a
multi-modal survey instrument to the
most appropriate respondent for the
business. Respondents will have the
flexibility to respond to a Web
questionnaire, a mail questionnaire, or a
telephone survey based on their
personal preference. This protocol will
reduce respondent burden by using the
survey mode which is most efficient for
a given respondent. Past research has
demonstrated that multi-modal surveys
also increase survey response rates. A
limited number of control surveys will
be used to assess any mode bias.
Social exchange theory will also be
invoked as this is seen as integral to the
tailored design methodology (Dillman et
al., 2009) that will be employed in this
study to increase response rate. In
addition to offering mixed survey
modes, the design will integrate
multiple and mutually supportive ways
to appeal to the diversity of respondents
in this business population. The
following are some examples of these
design elements:
• The survey request will be
distinguishable from other surveys and
will emphasize how the information
will be used and describe the benefits
back to the population for responding to
the survey.
• Survey appeals in contacts will
show positive regard and call on the
norms of social responsibility by asking
for respondents’ help and advice as
some respondents feel rewarded when
they know they have helped others.
E:\FR\FM\22JNN1.SGM
22JNN1
36515
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 120 / Wednesday, June 22, 2011 / Notices
• Survey contacts will be personally
addressed, toll free numbers will be
provided for answering questions and
providing help. Confidentiality of
responses will be ensured and
respondents will know how to contact
the surveyor if they have questions on
security or other issues.
• All contacts will be personalized
and will emphasize why the study is
important and express appreciation for
respondents’ help. They will be
formally thanked for promptly
completing questionnaires.
• Small tangible token rewards
provided in advance and at the time of
the survey request will be further tested
with small businesses to encourage
response. Previous survey research has
shown that small cash token incentives
provided with the survey significantly
increase response rates and do much
better than promised rewards or
nonmonetary rewards.
A key component of tailored survey
design is considering and balancing
how features of questions,
questionnaires, mailings, interviewing,
and the context of the survey will
influence trust, cost, and rewards
associated with the survey
circumstances and respondents.
All study instruments will be kept as
simple and respondent-friendly as
possible. Responses are voluntary and
confidential. Responses will be used to
produce statistics and for no other
purpose. Data files from the survey will
not be released to the public.
Affected Public: Respondents include
business establishments with at least 5
employees in both nonmetropolitan and
metropolitan counties.
Estimated Number of Respondents:
The survey is cross-sectional and will be
completed at one point in time. The
survey will have a complex mixed
survey administration to include
telephone screening, pre-notification
letter with Web access, multi-contact
telephone interviewing, follow-up
nonrespondent mail questionnaires, and
simultaneous Web questionnaires
offered during all contacts. Completion
time for each questionnaire, based on
comparisons with similar mixed modes
is estimated at 30 minutes per
completion, including time for reading
correspondence, returning an eligibility
postcard or responding to a screening
call, reviewing instructions, gathering
data needed, and responding to
questionnaire items. It is also expected
that those choosing not to participate
will require 10 minutes to review the
materials and decide not to participate.
Full Study: The initial sample size for
the full study is 30,000 businesses. The
expected overall response rate is 80
percent for firms in the main study. The
total estimated response burden for all
of those participating in the study is
12,000 hours (30,000 respondents × 80
percent response rate × 0.50 hours) and
for the non-responding business is 1,000
hours (6000 respondents × 10 minutes).
Pilot Study: A pilot test of the survey
will be done in advance of the full study
survey. The purpose of the pilot is to
evaluate the survey protocol, and test
instruments and questionnaires. The
initial sample size for this phase of the
research is 4,000 businesses. The
expected response rate is 80% of firms.
The total estimated response burden for
the pilot testing is 1,600 hours (4,000
respondents × 80 percent × 0.5 hours).
Non-responding businesses will
experience 133 hours of burden (800
respondents × 10 minutes). Total
respondent burden is estimated at
14,733 hours (see table below).
Testing will be limited to a maximum
of 9 businesses which will be consulted
on the questionnaire and asked to
complete the questionnaire in a
cognitive interview test.
ESTIMATED RESPONDENT BURDEN FOR RURAL ESTABLISHMENT INNOVATION SURVEY
Responses
Survey
Sample
Size
Freq
Resp.
Count
Freq. ×
Count
Non-Response
Min./
Resp.
Burden
Hours
Nonresp
Count
Freq. ×
Count
Min./
Nonr.
Burden
Hours
Total
burden
hours
Pilot Study .............................
Pilot Study .............................
4,000
30,000
1
1
3,200
24,000
3,200
24,000
30
30
1,600
12,000
800
6,000
800
6,000
10
10
133
1,000
1,733
13,000
Total ...............................
34,000
................
................
................
................
13,600
................
................
................
1,133
14,733
Dated: May 9, 2011.
Katherine R. Smith,
Administrator, Economic Research Service.
[FR Doc. 2011–15474 Filed 6–21–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–18–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Forest Service
Rangeland Allotment Management
Planning on the Fall River and Oglala
Geographic Areas, Pine Ridge Ranger
and Fall River Ranger Districts,
Nebraska National Forest, Nebraska
and South Dakota
AGENCY:
Forest Service, USDA.
Request for an extension of the
proposed environmental impact
statement.
ACTION:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
18:27 Jun 21, 2011
Jkt 223001
We are requesting an
extension of the proposed EIS for the
USDA Forest Service Rangeland
Allotment Management Planning on the
Fall River West Geographic Area of the
Fall River Ranger District and the Oglala
Geographic Area of the Pine Ridge
Ranger District, Nebraska National
Forest. Our initial Notice of Intent was
published in Vol. 75, No. 112 Friday,
June 11, 2010.
The USDA, Forest Service, will
prepare an environmental impact
statement (EIS) analyzing the
management of rangeland vegetation
resources, which includes livestock
grazing, on the National Forest System
(NFS) lands within the Oglala
Geographic Area (OGA) of the Oglala
National Grassland on the Pine Ridge
Ranger District and the West Geographic
Area (WGA) of the Buffalo Gap National
Grassland on the Fall River Ranger
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
District of the Nebraska National Forest
(Analysis Area) areas as mapped by the
2001 Nebraska National Forest Revised
Land and Resource Management Plan
(Forest Plan). A Notice of Intent (NOI)
for this project was published June 11,
2010 (75 No. 112 FR 33239–33241). This
revised NOI is being issued to update
the project schedule. There will be a
record of decision (ROD) for each
geographic area.
Proposed management actions would
be implemented beginning in the year
2013. The agency gives notice of the full
environmental analysis and decisionmaking process that will occur on the
proposal so interested and affected
people may become aware of how they
may participate in the process and
contribute to the final decision.
Comments concerning the scope
of the analysis were received by July 30,
2010. The initial scoping period has
DATES:
E:\FR\FM\22JNN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 120 (Wednesday, June 22, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36513-36515]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-15474]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Economic Research Service
Notice of Intent to Request New Information Collection
AGENCY: Economic Research Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this
notice invites the general public and other public agencies to send
comments regarding any aspect of this proposed information collection.
This is a new collection for the Rural Establishment Innovation Survey.
DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received on or before
August 22, 2011 to be assured of consideration.
ADDRESSES: Address all comments concerning this notice to Tim Wojan,
Resource and Rural Economics Division, Economic Research Service, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, 1800 M St., NW., Room N4110, Washington, DC
20036-5801. Comments may also be submitted via fax to the attention of
Tim Wojan at 202-694-5756 or via e-mail to twojan@ers.usda.gov.
Comments will also be accepted through the Federal eRulemaking Portal.
Go to https://www.regulations.gov, and follow the online instructions
for submitting comments electronically.
All written comments will be open for public inspection at the
office of the Economic Research Service during regular business hours
(8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday) at 1800 M St., NW., Room
N4110, Washington, DC 20036-5801.
All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the
request for Office of Management and Budget approval. All comments and
replies will be a matter of public record. 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 of the proposed collection of
information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions
used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and
[[Page 36514]]
clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize
the burden of the collection of information on those who are to
respond, including use of appropriate automated, electronic,
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms
of information technology.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information contact Tim
Wojan at the address in the preamble. Tel. 202-694-5419.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Rural Establishment Innovation Survey.
OMB Number: 0536-XXXX.
Expiration Date: Three years from the date of approval.
Type of Request: New collection.
Abstract: This survey of business establishments, funded through
USDA's Rural Development Mission Area, will be conducted over a 6-month
period with up to 30,000 respondents to collect information on rural
tradable business sectors such as manufacturing and professional
services. This information will contribute to a better understanding of
how rural businesses and their communities are dealing with the
increasing competitive pressures and opportunities associated with the
spread of new information technologies through our economy and the
business and community characteristics associated with effective
response to these pressures and opportunities. This information is
critical to the Rural Development Mission Area's aim of creating jobs,
developing new markets and increasing competitiveness for rural
businesses and communities.
The information to be collected by the Rural Establishment
Innovation Survey is necessary to understand: (1) The adoption of
innovative practices and their contribution to firm productivity; (2)
the availability and use of local and regional assets (such as
workforce education, local financial institutions, strong local
business and other economic associations, and transportation
infrastructure) and the association of these assets with successful
adjustment; and (3) the extent and importance of participation in
Federal, State and local programs designed to promote rural business
vitality and growth. This need is made more urgent by increased
international competition in goods and some service markets,
particularly from low labor cost countries. The traditional cost
advantage of domestic rural establishments has been significantly
eroded by these developments, requiring emphasis on new products, new
processes, new marketing channels and improved customer service. A
thorough understanding of the viability of the rural business sector
requires collecting information on the capability for innovation.
As the first collection of information devoted specifically to
innovation in rural business establishments, the proposed survey will
complement other Federal efforts in gauging innovative activity in the
private sector. Information on formal research and development (R&D)
activities is collected by the National Science Foundation using the
Business R&D and Innovation Survey. While some of this formal research
and development activity takes place in nonmetropolitan counties, it is
anticipated that the great majority of rural innovation occurs less
through the creation of new patentable products than through the
adoption of new practices and niche marketing. The emphasis of the
proposed collection will be on understanding the process of innovation
in business establishments as opposed to measuring R&D inputs.
Another difference between this and other Federal surveys on
innovative activity will be the focus on constraints to innovation
stemming from nonmetropolitan locations. Information on the
availability of skilled workers and the ability to recruit managers and
professionals will inform possible human capital impediments to
innovation. Information on access to credit needed for business
formation and development will allow for assessing financing
impediments to innovation. Information on the availability of broadband
Internet service and how this capability affects business strategy will
allow assessing infrastructure impediments to innovation. Information
on interaction with suppliers, customers, competitors, business
associations and other local institutions providing real services to
the establishment will inform the importance of regional clusters to
innovation.
The survey will collect data from about 30,000 business
establishments in tradable sectors that will include mining,
manufacturing, wholesale trade, transportation and warehousing,
information, finance and insurance, professional/scientific/technical
services, arts, and management of businesses. Only businesses with 5 or
more employees will be included in the sample. While the focus of the
survey will be on establishments in nonmetropolitan counties,
establishments from metropolitan counties will be sampled in adequate
numbers to allow comparative analysis. Businesses will be selected at
random from strata defined by establishment size categories, industry
and metropolitan or nonmetropolitan status of the county. The sample
will be selected from the business establishment list maintained by
state employment security departments where state approval is granted,
and from a proprietary business establishment list frame for those
states where approval is not granted. The much more comprehensive
coverage of new and small establishments available in state
administrative data provides a compelling argument for this hybrid
sample frame approach, as these establishments are critical to
examining processes of entrepreneurship and innovation.
The interview protocol will include a screening interview to
identify the most knowledgeable person in the establishment to respond
to questions regarding innovative activities of the entity. Screening
greatly improves the quality and effectiveness of the contact
information. The most appropriate phone number, e-mail address and
mailing address will be collected at this time to allow efficient
distribution of a multi-modal survey instrument to the most appropriate
respondent for the business. Respondents will have the flexibility to
respond to a Web questionnaire, a mail questionnaire, or a telephone
survey based on their personal preference. This protocol will reduce
respondent burden by using the survey mode which is most efficient for
a given respondent. Past research has demonstrated that multi-modal
surveys also increase survey response rates. A limited number of
control surveys will be used to assess any mode bias.
Social exchange theory will also be invoked as this is seen as
integral to the tailored design methodology (Dillman et al., 2009) that
will be employed in this study to increase response rate. In addition
to offering mixed survey modes, the design will integrate multiple and
mutually supportive ways to appeal to the diversity of respondents in
this business population. The following are some examples of these
design elements:
The survey request will be distinguishable from other
surveys and will emphasize how the information will be used and
describe the benefits back to the population for responding to the
survey.
Survey appeals in contacts will show positive regard and
call on the norms of social responsibility by asking for respondents'
help and advice as some respondents feel rewarded when they know they
have helped others.
[[Page 36515]]
Survey contacts will be personally addressed, toll free
numbers will be provided for answering questions and providing help.
Confidentiality of responses will be ensured and respondents will know
how to contact the surveyor if they have questions on security or other
issues.
All contacts will be personalized and will emphasize why
the study is important and express appreciation for respondents' help.
They will be formally thanked for promptly completing questionnaires.
Small tangible token rewards provided in advance and at
the time of the survey request will be further tested with small
businesses to encourage response. Previous survey research has shown
that small cash token incentives provided with the survey significantly
increase response rates and do much better than promised rewards or
nonmonetary rewards.
A key component of tailored survey design is considering and
balancing how features of questions, questionnaires, mailings,
interviewing, and the context of the survey will influence trust, cost,
and rewards associated with the survey circumstances and respondents.
All study instruments will be kept as simple and respondent-
friendly as possible. Responses are voluntary and confidential.
Responses will be used to produce statistics and for no other purpose.
Data files from the survey will not be released to the public.
Affected Public: Respondents include business establishments with
at least 5 employees in both nonmetropolitan and metropolitan counties.
Estimated Number of Respondents: The survey is cross-sectional and
will be completed at one point in time. The survey will have a complex
mixed survey administration to include telephone screening, pre-
notification letter with Web access, multi-contact telephone
interviewing, follow-up nonrespondent mail questionnaires, and
simultaneous Web questionnaires offered during all contacts. Completion
time for each questionnaire, based on comparisons with similar mixed
modes is estimated at 30 minutes per completion, including time for
reading correspondence, returning an eligibility postcard or responding
to a screening call, reviewing instructions, gathering data needed, and
responding to questionnaire items. It is also expected that those
choosing not to participate will require 10 minutes to review the
materials and decide not to participate.
Full Study: The initial sample size for the full study is 30,000
businesses. The expected overall response rate is 80 percent for firms
in the main study. The total estimated response burden for all of those
participating in the study is 12,000 hours (30,000 respondents x 80
percent response rate x 0.50 hours) and for the non-responding business
is 1,000 hours (6000 respondents x 10 minutes).
Pilot Study: A pilot test of the survey will be done in advance of
the full study survey. The purpose of the pilot is to evaluate the
survey protocol, and test instruments and questionnaires. The initial
sample size for this phase of the research is 4,000 businesses. The
expected response rate is 80% of firms. The total estimated response
burden for the pilot testing is 1,600 hours (4,000 respondents x 80
percent x 0.5 hours). Non-responding businesses will experience 133
hours of burden (800 respondents x 10 minutes). Total respondent burden
is estimated at 14,733 hours (see table below).
Testing will be limited to a maximum of 9 businesses which will be
consulted on the questionnaire and asked to complete the questionnaire
in a cognitive interview test.
Estimated Respondent Burden for Rural Establishment Innovation Survey
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Responses Non-Response
Sample ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total
Survey Size Freq Resp. Freq. x Min./ Burden Nonresp Freq. x Min./ Burden burden
Count Count Resp. Hours Count Count Nonr. Hours hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pilot Study.................... 4,000 1 3,200 3,200 30 1,600 800 800 10 133 1,733
Pilot Study.................... 30,000 1 24,000 24,000 30 12,000 6,000 6,000 10 1,000 13,000
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Total...................... 34,000 ......... ......... ......... ......... 13,600 ......... ......... ......... 1,133 14,733
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Dated: May 9, 2011.
Katherine R. Smith,
Administrator, Economic Research Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-15474 Filed 6-21-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-18-P
