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BLS
Notices
Proposed Collection, Comment Request
[ 2/26/2009]
[ PDF]
FR Doc E9-4101
[Federal Register: February 26, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 37)]
[Notices]
[Page 8813-8814]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26fe09-76]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Proposed Collection, Comment Request
ACTION: Notice.
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AGENCY: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Department of Labor.
SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies
with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing
collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps to
ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format,
reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized,
collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of
collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. The
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is soliciting comments concerning the
proposed revision of the ``National Longitudinal Survey of Youth
1997.'' A copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR) can
be obtained by contacting the individual listed in the ADDRESSES
section of this notice.
DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the
ADDRESSES section below on or before April 27, 2009.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to Carol Rowan, BLS Clearance Officer,
Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Room 4080,
2 Massachusetts Avenue, NE., Washington, DC 20212, 202-691-7628. (This
is not a toll free number.)
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carol Rowan, BLS Clearance Officer,
202-691-7628. (See ADDRESSES section.)
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
The National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 (NLSY97) is a
nationally representative sample of persons who were born in the years
1980 to 1984. These respondents were ages 12-17 when the first round of
annual interviews began in 1997; the thirteenth round of annual
interviews will be conducted from September 2009 to May 2010. The
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) contracts with the National Opinion
Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago to conduct the
NLSY97. The primary objective of the survey is to study the transition
from schooling to the establishment of careers and families. The
longitudinal focus of this survey requires information to be collected
from the same individuals over many years in order to trace their
education, training, work experience, fertility, income, and program
participation.
One of the goals of the Department of Labor (DOL) is to produce and
disseminate timely, accurate, and relevant information about the U.S.
labor force. The BLS contributes to this goal by gathering information
about the labor force and labor market and disseminating it to
policymakers and the public so that participants in those markets can
make more informed, and thus more efficient, choices. Research based on
the NLSY97 contributes to the formation of national policy in the areas
of education, training, employment programs, and school-to-work
transitions. In addition to the reports that the BLS produces based on
data from the NLSY97, members of the academic community publish
articles and reports based on NLSY97 data for the DOL and other funding
agencies. To date, more than 90 articles examining NLSY97 data have
been published in scholarly journals. The survey design provides data
gathered from the same respondents over time to form the only data set
that contains this type of information for this important population
group. Without the collection of these data, an accurate longitudinal
data set could not be provided to researchers and policymakers, thus
adversely affecting the DOL's ability to perform its policy- and
report-making activities.
II. Current Action
The BLS seeks approval to conduct round 13 of annual interviews of
the NLSY97. Respondents to the NLSY97 will undergo an interview of
approximately 65 minutes during which they will answer questions about
schooling and labor market experiences, family relationships, and
community background.
During the fielding period for the main round 13 interviews, about
2 percent of respondents will be asked to participate in a brief
validation
[[Page 8814]]
interview a few weeks after the initial interview. The purpose of the
validation interview is to verify that the initial interview took place
as the interviewer reported and to assess the data quality of selected
questionnaire items.
The BLS proposes to record randomly selected segments of the main
interviews during round 13. Recording interviews helps the BLS and NORC
to ensure that the interviews actually took place and that interviewers
are reading the questions exactly as worded and entering the responses
properly. Recording also helps to identify parts of the interview that
might be causing problems or misunderstanding for interviewers or
respondents. Each respondent will be informed that the interview may be
recorded for quality control, training, and research purposes. If the
respondent objects to the recording of the interview, the interviewer
will confirm to the respondent that the interview will not be recorded
and then proceed with the interview.
During round 13, the BLS proposes to administer a noninterview
respondent questionnaire to sample members who have missed at least 5
consecutive rounds and who do not complete the round 13 interview on
first approach. Responses to this questionnaire will enable the BLS and
NORC to learn more about long-term nonrespondents and therefore
understand attrition patterns and any nonresponse bias. Other changes
in round 13 include collecting permission forms from respondents to
obtain their college transcripts. Permission forms will be sought from
respondents who have received a high school diploma or General
Education Development (GED) credential or completed coursework in a
postsecondary degree program. Collection of permission forms is
contingent on available funding.
The round 13 questionnaire includes questions on workplace injuries
and illnesses and on exercise activity, diet and nutrition, and oral
health. The questionnaire also includes additional questions on days of
work missed due to emotional or mental health problems. Respondents who
report serving on active military duty will be asked a series of
questions on their military service. Military veterans also will be
asked about their experience with programs designed to help service
members make the transition from military to civilian life.
III. Desired Focus of Comments
The Bureau of Labor Statistics is particularly interested in
comments that:
Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency,
including whether the information will have practical utility.
Evaluate 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.
Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected.
Minimize the burden of the collection of information on
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection
techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting
electronic submissions of responses.
Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
Agency: Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Title: National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997.
OMB Number: 1220-0157.
Affected Public: Individuals or households.
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Average time Estimated
Form Total Frequency Total per response total burden
respondents responses (min) (hours)
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NLSY97 Pretest: June-July 150 Annually......... 150 65 163
2009.
Main NLSY97: September 2009- 7,350 Annually......... 7,350 65 7,963
May 2010.
Round 13 Validation Interview 147 Annually......... 147 4 10
Noninterview Respondent 120 Annually......... 120 10 20
Questionnaire.
College Transcript Release 6,311 Once............. 6,311 1.5 158
Form.
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Total.................... 7,620 ................. 14,078 .............. 8,314
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The difference between the total number of respondents and the total number of responses reflects the fact that
about 6,311 are expected to complete the main interview and the college transcript release form. In addition,
about 147 respondents will be interviewed twice, once in the main survey and a second time in the 4-minute
validation interview.
Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $0.
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized
and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget
approval of the information collection request; they also will become a
matter of public record.
Signed at Washington, DC, this 18th day of February, 2009.
Cathy Kazanowski,
Chief, Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
[FR Doc. E9-4101 Filed 2-25-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-24-P
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