Consumer Expenditure Survey Gemini Project

Current and upcoming research

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

2013 Start

Year

End

Year

1. CE Redesign Proof-of-Concept Test 2013 2015

2014 Start

Year

End

Year

1. Composite Burden Index 2014 2015

2. Data Quality Profile Prototype and Initial Requirements 2014 2015

3. Gemini Incentive Structure Review 2014 2015

4. Gemini Recall Interview Development BPA 2014 2016

5. Gemini Records Interview Protocol Testing BPA 2014 2016

2015 Start

Year

End

Year

1. Data Quality Profile Implementation 2015 2016

2. Electronic Diary Design Improvements 2015 2015

3. Gemini Incentives Feasibility Test 2015 2016

4. Gemini Recall Interview Protocol Testing 2015 2015

5. Gemini Records Interview Global Questions Testing Team 2015 2015

6. Gemini Records Interview Online Records Handling 2015 2016

7. Gemini Records Interview Questionnaire Design Team 2015 2016

8. Gemini Respondent Experience Package 2015 2015

9. Small-Scale Outlets Testing - Diary 2015 2015

10. Small-Scale Outlets Testing - Recall Study 2015 2016
2016 Start

Year

End

Year

1. Gemini Large-Scale Feasibility Test 2016 2019

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Project Descriptions

In-Progress

CE Redesign Proof-of-Concept Test

The purpose of this project is to test whether the proposed Gemini redesign, specifically, a single-sample 

expenditure survey design consisting of 2 personal interviews and individual diaries, is feasible.

The results of the test will be used to decide whether the redesign structure is feasible, in order to make the 

decision to further research on the proposed design. The results will also be used to inform future development 

of each of the components.

Composite Burden Index

The purpose of this project is to develop a survey respondent burden index for implementation that can be used 

to track perceived respondent burden over time.

The burden index score developed from this project will be used to help monitor respondent’s perceived burden 

for future CE interview surveys.

Data Quality Profile Prototype and Initial Requirements

The purpose of this project is to develop a prototype data quality profile and initial requirements for producing 

an annual Data Quality Profile for internal staff and external data users.

The findings from this project will be used to identify and describe the elements needed to produce an annual 

Data Quality Profile and a data quality prototype that can be built upon as more data quality indicators are 

defined.

Gemini Incentive Structure Review

The purpose of this project is to summarize the experiences of incentive use in other household surveys, explore 

the requirements needed to obtain OMB approval, and document issues associated with the use of incentives at 

the Census Bureau.

The findings from this project will be used to recommend and implement a protocol for using incentives at the 

Census Bureau. 

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Gemini Recall Interview Development BPA

The purpose of this project is to contract with Westat to use the updated CE data requirements and previous 

BLS work products (e.g., Gemini Content Team report) to design a questionnaire for the Recall Interview of the 

redesigned CE survey. Westat will then conduct between 20 and 40 cognitive interviews to test various aspects 

of the questionnaire, including level of aggregation and question wording.

The findings from this study will be used to constuct the Recall Interview portion of the redesigned CE survey. 

These findings will be useful in determining the optimal level of aggregation for expenditure categories as well 

as the wording used to prompt respondents' memories.

Gemini Records Interview Protocol Testing BPA

The purpose of this project is to manage the process of contracting out work to Westat for data collection for 

testing Records Interview protocols.

The results of this project will be a report from Westat on the findings from data collection testing of the 

Records Interview protocols.

Gemini Recall Interview Protocol Testing

The purpose of this project is to design, develop, and pilot test several protocols for the recall-based interview 

and offer recommendations on which protocols should be further tested.

The findings from this project will lay out a set of protocols to be tested on a larger scale that will inform the 

ordering of the recall interview and level of flexibility required in the redesigned instrument.

Small-Scale Outlets Testing - Diary

The purpose of this project is to explore the impact of integrating outlets into the CE Diary. The study will test 

two different designs (organizing the diary by outlet, organizing the diary by item with follow-up questions 

about outlets) and compare performance and respondent ratings.

The results of this project will inform the decision as to whether to include outlets in the CE and, if outlets are to 

be included in the diary, the recommended overall approach for integration.

Scheduled

Electronic Diary Design Improvements

The purpose of this project is to incorporate alternative design elements into the web and mobile diaries, 

independent of the Individual Diary Feasibility Test results.

The results from this project will be used as an input to finalizing the web and mobile diary design for the Large 

Scale Feasibility Test.

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Gemini Records Interview Global Questions Testing Team

The purpose of this project is to cognitively test global questions for records interview expenditure categories 

that have been recommended to be asked as an aggregated single question.

The findings from this project will be used to validate that respondents consider all relevant subcategories when 

being asked a global question for a given expenditure category, or to recommend further disaggregation.

Gemini Respondent Experience Package

This project will research the implementation of a post-Wave 1 respondent experience package in addition to a 

post-Wave 2 respondent experience package, conditional on the ability to mail out the package to a Consumer 

Unit (CU) fewer than 6 months after Wave 1, established effectiveness as a non-monetary incentive in gaining 

cooperation and reducing attrition, and established non-impact on Wave 2 spending behaviors.

The results from this project will serve as inputs to a decision on field testing the Respondent Experience 

Package.

Data Quality Profile Implementation

The purpose of this project is to implement the Data Quality Profile project recommendations into production.

This project will yield a Data Quality Profile published annually for external users, as well as an internal Data 

Quality dashboard for use by internal stakeholders.

Gemini Incentives Feasibility Test

The purpose of this project is to test and assess alternative incentive structures and amounts for the survey 

redesign.

The results from this project will be used to either validate the existing proposed incentive structure for the 

Large Scale Feasibility Test, or to recommend an alternative.

Gemini Records Interview Online Records Handling

The purpose of this project is to investigate the most effective and practical way of handling electronic records 

during the records interview. The initial protocols that have been developed include having the respondent save 

electronic records to their desktop or print their electronic records. Feasible alternatives to this protocol should 

be explored with consideration given to privacy concerns and respondent burden.

The results of this project will be a feasible set of recommendations for the handling of electronic records by 

respondents and FRs.

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Gemini Records Interview Questionnaire Design Team

The purpose of this project is to develop recall questions for expenditure categories for which respondents do 

not have records available. This project will work in conjunction with the Gemini Records Interview Globals 

Testing Team and the Records Interview protocol team.

The outcome of this project will provide the recommended questions for each expenditure category for the 

records interview, considering both the appropriate level of aggregation, and the recommended records protocol.

Small-Scale Outlets Testing - Recall Study

The purpose of this project is to explore the impact of integrating outlets into the CE Recall Interview. The 

study will test whether outlet information aids accuracy and ease of recall, in an online task.

The results of this project will inform the decision as to whether to include outlets in the CE.

Gemini Large-Scale Feasibility Test

The design of this test will closely reflect all of the components of redesign; incorporating lessons learned from 

the web and individual diaries test, the proof-of concept test, and cognitive lab studies and additional research.

Findings from this test will be used in planning the dress rehearsal prior to full implementation of the redesign.

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