Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Generic Clearance of Usability Data Collections

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Commerce (DOC), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on the continuing and proposed information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES:

Written comments must be submitted on or before May 20, 2003.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at dHynek@doc.gov).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information should be directed to the attention of Phyllis Boyd, NIST, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 3220, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-3220, telephone 301-975-4062. In addition, written comments may be sent via e-mail to phyllis.boyd@nist.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

In accordance with Executive Order 12862, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a non-regulatory agency of the Department of Commerce, proposes to conduct a number of data collection efforts—both quantitative and qualitative—to determine requirements and evaluate usability and utility of NIST research for measurement and standardization work. These data collection efforts may include, but may not be limited to electronic methodologies, empirical studies, video and audio data collections, interviews, and questionnaires. For example, data collection efforts will be conducted at search and rescue training exercises for rescue workers using robots. Other planned data collection efforts include evaluations of software for use by the intelligence community. Participation will be strictly voluntary. Regulated information will not be collected. The results of the data collected will be used to guide NIST research. Steps will be taken to ensure anonymity of respondents in each activity covered under this request.

II. Method of Collection

NIST will collect this information by electronic means when possible, as well as by mail, fax, telephone, and person-to-person interviews.

III. Data

OMB Number: None.

Form Number: None.

Type of Review: Regular submission.

Affected Public: Individuals or households; State, local, or tribal government; Federal government.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,000.

Estimated Time Per Response: Varied, dependent upon the data collection method employed. The response time will vary from 15 minutes to fill out a questionnaire to several hours to participate in an empirical study. Average response time is expected to be 1 hour.

Estimated Total Annual Respondent Burden Hours: 2,000.

Estimated Total Annual Respondent Cost Burden: $0.

IV. Request for Comments

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden (including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, e.g., the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection; they also will become a matter of public record.