## NCES SYSTEM CLEARANC **E FOR COGNITIVE,**

**PILOT, AND FIELD TES T STUDIES** 

**OMB# 1850 -**  **0803 v**  **.80**

**REQUEST FOR OMB CLEA RANCE**  

## Supporting Statement Part **B**

**Prepared by:**
**National Center for Education Statistics U.S.**  **Department of Education Washington, DC**  **May 1**  **6, 201 3** 

### B. **Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods**

**1. Universe and Respondent Selection**  The data collected will be used for questionnaire development activities rather than to produce estimates about populations. For the most part, the testing activities undertaken as part of this clearance will involve purposive or quota samples, with respon dents selected either to cover a broad range of demographic subgroups or to include specific characteristics related to the topic of the survey . In some instances, a probability

sample may

be drawn, for example, for mail survey s or to permit statistical co mparisons about the effectiveness of alternative procedural treatments. A description of the plans for selecting respondents for each individual test will be provided to OMB at the time each questionnaire is submitted. **2. Procedures for Collecting Informa** **tion** Data collection procedures for the testing conducted under this clearance will be varied, and will most likely include group administration, personal visit, telephone, CATI/CAPI, mail, in

- person interviews, and Internet survey s. Statistical results w ill generally be limited to response rates (for mail surveys), item nonresponse rates, frequency distributions of data items, reliability estimates, and anal ys is of behavior coding and respondent debriefing data. More specific information about data collection procedures will be contained in the description provided to OMB at the time each questionnaire is submitted

. **3. Methods to Maximize Response**  In general, callbacks will be used to maximize response rates in personal visit or telephone field tests; reminder phone calls , letters , or second questionnaires will be used to maximize response rates in group administration, mail , and Internet survey s. For cognitive interviews and focus groups , participants will be provided with a token of appreciation for the ir time and effort . Reminder phone calls and/or letters to participants will be used to encourage them to keep their appointments. Tallies will be kept of the number of nonrespondents to all testing activities. More specific information will be contained in the description provided to OMB at the time each questionnaire is submitted

. **4. Testing of Procedures**  This entire submission consists of tests of data collection instruments and survey /assessment procedures. We expect that all the tests conducted under this clearance will result in more refined and clearer questionnaires and/or procedures and thus reduced respondent burden. **5. Contacts for Statistical Aspects and Data Collection**  A dvice on statistical aspects of each individual survey will be sought as the testing program proceeds. Depending on the nature of the research, NCES staff from different program areas will have the primary responsibility

for data collection and anal ys is. Each specific research project will also determine whether the data will be collected by NCES or through a contractor. Kashka Kubzdela is the contact person for general questions about data collection and anal ys is. Other contact persons for questions regarding data collection and statistical aspects of the design will be provided to OMB at the time each questionnaire is submitted

.