Cognitive and Psychological Research

OMB Control No: 1220-0141	ICR Reference No: 202502-1220-005
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No: 202405-1220-001
Agency/Subagency: DOL/BLS	Agency Tracking No: MASTER
Title: Cognitive and Psychological Research
Type of Information Collection: No material or nonsubstantive change to a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 02/03/2025

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	07/31/2027	07/31/2027
Responses	31,350	31,350
Time Burden (Hours)	11,349	11,349
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0

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Abstract: The Bureau of Labor Statistics' Behavioral Science Research Center (BSRC) conducts psychological research focusing on the design and execution of the data collection process in order to improve the quality of data collected by the Bureau. The BSRC conducts research aimed at improving data collection quality by assessing questionnaire/form management and administration, as well as issues which relate to interviewer training and interaction with respondents in the interview process. BSRC staff work closely with economists and/or program specialists responsible for defining the concepts to be measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics' collection programs. The proposed laboratory research will be conducted from Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 through FY 2027 to enhance data quality in the Bureau of Labor Statistics' surveys. Improvements will be made by examining psychological and cognitive aspects of BLS's data collection procedures, including questionnaire design, interviewing procedures, collection modalities, and administrative technology.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 29 USC 2 Name of Law: Collection, Collation, and Reports of Labor Statistics    US Code: 29 USC 1 Name of Law: Design and Duties of the Bureau Generally

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	88 FR 86681	12/14/2023
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	89 FR 43437	05/17/2024
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? Yes

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

IC Title Form No. Form Name ATUS Diary Recall Research Appendix A, Appendix B, Appendix C Cognitive Interview Protocol ,   Online Survey ,   Screening Questions for Cognitive Interviews BLS Classroom Page Interviews Attachment A, Attachment C Interview Protocol ,   Screener Questions Cognitive Testing of Changes for the Consumer Expenditure Dirary Survey Appendix A, Appendix B, Appendix C Diary Screenshots and instructions ,   Interview Protocol ,   Recruitment protocol NLSY27 Consent Testing - Amendment Attachment A, Attachment F, Attachment B, Attachment C, Attachment C, Attachment D , Attachment E, Attachment F, Attachment G, 1220-0141 PCF 2-1, 1220-0141 YPF 2-1 Parental Consent ,   Youth Assent ,   Round 1 web survey instrument with parents redlined ,   Round 1 web survey instrument with parents clean ,   Round 2 Moderated interview protocol ,   Intercept Testing protocol ,   Roun 3 web survey instrument redlined ,   Round 3 web survey clean ,   Advertisements and Screening Questions for Remote interviews ,   Attachment A - NLSY26 Parental Consent Form 10-7-24 ,   NLSY26 Youth Participation Form - Attch B 10-7-24 Select All Versus Forced Choice Research Study Attachment A, Attachment A Web Survey Protocol ,   Web Survey Protocol Select All Versus Forced Choice Research Study - Amendment Attachment A, Attachment A Survey Protocol ,   Survey Protocol

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Request	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	31,350	31,350	0	0	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	11,349	11,349	0	0	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Increase Due to:

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: The increase in burden hours is due to the expanded use of unmoderated online testing, mixed mode testing, and projects investigating transitioning from interviewer-administered to self-administered surveys.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $50,000

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? Yes Part B of Supporting Statement

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     Yes

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     Yes

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? No

Agency Contact: Douglas Williams 202 691-5707

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Common Form ICR:  No

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On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
		(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;
		(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;
		(c) It reduces burden on small entities;
		(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;
		(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;
		(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;
		(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:
			(i) Why the information is being collected;
			(ii) Use of information;
			(iii) Burden estimate;
			(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
			(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
			(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
		(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.
		(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and
		(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Certification Date: 02/03/2025

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