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BUREAU OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION

PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT SUBMISSION

INFORMATION COLLECTION REQUEST

SUPPORTING STATEMENT PART B

Generic Information Collection Plan to Conduct Cognitive Research and Pilot Testing

(OMB CONTROL NUMBER: 3170-XXXX)

1. Respondent Universe and Selection Methods

The potential respondent universe will vary depending on the research question addressed 

and method of data collection employed. The data collected will be used for research activities 

that improve data collection processes, rather than to produce estimates about the population. 

Data will generally be used solely for pretesting activities, though pilot tests may be combined 

with data from full-scale studies to produce estimates. Often, the testing activities undertaken as 

part of this clearance primarily will usually involve purposive or convenience samples, 

sometimes to cover demographic subgroups or other subpopulations. The objective usually is to 

interview a variety of people, rather than a probability sample of the population. An important 

exception is, in some cases, pilot tests of surveys which may be based on samples selected in a 

way that could be used to provide estimates for a given population.

A description of the plans for selecting respondents for each individual test will be provided 

to OMB at the time each questionnaire is submitted. Respondents will be identified in different 

ways, depending on the method of pretesting. Examples of pretesting methods include: pilot 

tests, focus groups, cognitive laboratory activities, pilot testing, field testing, exploratory 

interviews, experiments with questionnaire design, and usability testing of electronic data 

collection instruments.
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2. Information Collection Procedures

Data collection procedures for the testing conducted under this clearance will be varied, 

and will most likely include mail surveys, in-person interviews, web-based surveys, telephone 

surveys (including CATI), and in-person focus groups. More specific information about data 

collection procedures will be contained in the description provided to OMB at the time the 

development activities are submitted for approval.

3. Methods to Maximize Response Rates and Address Issues of Non-Response

In general, callbacks will be used to maximize response rates in personal visit or telephone 

field tests; reminder phone calls, letters, or additional questionnaires will be used to maximize 

response rates in group administration, mail, and Internet studies. For cognitive interviews, focus 

groups, and pilot surveys participants generally will be provided with a token of appreciation for 

their time and effort. Reminder phone calls or letters to participants will be used to encourage 

them to keep their appointments. More specific information will be contained in the description 

provided to OMB at the time each questionnaire is submitted.

4. Testing of Procedures or Methods

This generic clearance is to allow the CFPB to pretest research instruments on a small scale 

prior to their use in full-scale research studies. A typical information collection under this 

generic clearance, for example, could include quantitative statistical tests of differences in 

response patterns or response rates for different versions of questions or qualitative assessments 

of differences in respondents’ reactions and understanding of materials.
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5. Contact Information for Statistical Aspects of the Design

The name and telephone numbers of these individuals will be provided in the 

clearance request for each specific data collection.

The Office of Research is currently staffed with over 20 employees with PhD’s in 

the social sciences, who are trained in relevant methods. For any research studies that 

employ statistical methods submitted for approval under this generic information 

collection plan, such methods will be reviewed by a qualified statistician for scientific 

rigor; including compliance with the OMB’s statistical program and standards prior to 

submission to OMB.