FR 2021-02808

The document titled "Information Collection Activities, Comment Request" is a notice from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), part of the Department of Labor, seeking public input on proposed revisions to its Consumer Expenditure Surveys. This request is part of efforts under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 to reduce paperwork and respondent burden while ensuring data collection is efficient and effective.

Summary of the Document

The Consumer Expenditure Surveys, which consist of the Quarterly Interview and the Diary surveys, collect data about consumer spending, which supports revisions to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The BLS intends to modify these surveys by updating interview questions and testing a new self-administered online diary. This notice invites the public to comment on these changes, emphasizing the practical utility, accuracy, and efficiency of the proposed data collection methods.

Significant Issues and Concerns

Several issues surface upon reviewing the document:

1. Implementation Cost Clarity: The document lacks specific information regarding the financial implications of implementing these changes. The costs associated with new technology and potential additional administrative burdens are not detailed, leaving questions about economic feasibility.

2. Purpose of Consent Request: The introduction of a "consent request" question for recording interviews raises questions about its utility. The benefits this might bring to data quality are not clearly articulated, which could lead to skepticism about its necessity and how it might affect respondent participation and comfort.

3. Survey Points Valuation: The redeemable survey points are described but without clear guidelines on how their value was determined. This could lead to perceptions of unfairness or bias, as well as misunderstandings among participants.

4. Challenges with the Online Diary: The document does not address potential difficulties respondents may encounter with the self-administered online diary. This could include accessibility issues or participants' unfamiliarity with online survey tools, possibly affecting data integrity and response rates.

5. Specifics of Survey Changes: There is insufficient detail about the changes to the survey questions. While some questions are being removed and others added, particularly related to gasoline purchases, the rationale and expected outcomes of these specific adjustments are not fully explained.

Impact on the Public

These proposed changes aim to enhance data collection processes, potentially benefiting national economic indicators such as the CPI. However, the lack of clarity on implementation costs and other issues might result in increased skepticism from the public, as well as concern regarding privacy due to the consent request question.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

• Respondents: Individuals or households asked to participate may experience changes in how they interact with the survey process. The shift to an online diary could either improve their experience or create new challenges, depending on the design and support provided.

• Data Users: Economists, policymakers, and researchers could gain from more accurate and timely data. However, if the changes complicate participation, this could affect data quality and representativeness.

• BLS Administrative Staff: The staff involved in implementing these changes may face challenges related to the logistics of rolling out new technology, gathering consent, and ensuring participant engagement and data integrity.

In conclusion, while the document's intention to update and improve the Consumer Expenditure Surveys is clear, its lack of detail in certain areas may lead to confusion and concern among stakeholders. The BLS would benefit from addressing these gaps to ensure understanding and foster trust among the public and other involved parties.

The Federal Register document discusses proposed changes to the Consumer Expenditure Surveys conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This commentary focuses on the financial aspects referenced within the document and their relation to identified issues.

Summary of Financial Allocations

Within the document, there is a specific mention of financial incentives provided to survey participants. As part of a self-administered Diary test, respondents are to receive survey points redeemable for cash, merchandise, gift cards, or game entries. These rewards are valued at $2 for completing the Household Characteristics Survey and $50 for successfully completing each day of the fourteen-day diary period. The allocation of these incentives is designed to encourage participation and ensure sufficient data collection.

Financial References and Identified Issues

1. Value and Fairness of Incentives:

2. One of the issues identified in the document is the potential arbitrariness in the value of survey points redeemable for cash or other rewards. The value of $2 for the Household Characteristics Survey and $50 per day for the diary period might seem arbitrary without a clear explanation of how these figures were determined. The fairness and adequacy of these incentives could be questioned, particularly if the methodology behind their calculation is not transparent.

3. Financial Impact on Respondents and Agency:

4. The document lacks specific details on the financial impact of these changes, both on the participants and the agency itself. While the incentives are meant to offset the burden on respondents, there is no detailed analysis of the overall cost to the Bureau of Labor Statistics for implementing these financial rewards. This omission could make it challenging to assess whether the proposed budget for incentives constitutes an efficient use of agency resources.

5. Implementation Costs:

6. Another identified issue is the absence of information about the cost of implementing the proposed changes to the survey. This issue ties into the broader question of how the financial allocations for participant incentives fit within the total budgetary framework for conducting the revised surveys. A deeper insight into these costs would help clarify whether the financial incentives align with the agency's budgetary constraints and policy goals.

7. Incentive Effectiveness:

8. The extent to which the provision of redeemable survey points can effectively enhance participation and data quality is not fully explicated. Understanding whether these monetary incentives are sufficient to improve response rates, while ensuring data reliability, is crucial. If the rewards fail to achieve their intended purpose, it could lead to inefficient expenditure of agency funds.

Overall, while the document outlines the use of financial incentives for survey participation, it does not fully address the underlying issues concerning their valuation, cost implications, and potential effectiveness. Detailed financial justification and anticipated outcomes would provide a clearer understanding of how these incentives serve the agency's objectives.