[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 107 (Tuesday, June 4, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38466-38470]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-13892]
[[Page 38467]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Economic Research Service
National Agricultural Statistics Service
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Census Bureau
Bureau of Economic Analysis
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Energy Information Administration
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Bureau of Labor Statistics
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Bureau of Transportation Statistics
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Internal Revenue Service
Federal Statistical Organizations' Guidelines for Ensuring and
Maximizing the Quality, Objectivity, Utility, and Integrity of
Disseminated Information
AGENCIES: Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Agricultural
Statistics Service (NASS), Department of Agriculture (USDA); U.S.
Census Bureau (Census) and Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA),
Department of Commerce (DOC); National Center for Education Statistics
(NCES), Department of Education (Education); Energy Information
Administration (EIA), Department of Energy (DOE); National Center for
Health Statistics (NCHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); Bureau of Justice
Statistics (BJS), Department of Justice (DOJ); Bureau of Labor
Statistics (BLS), Department of Labor (DOL); Division of Science
Resources Statistics (SRS), National Science Foundation (NSF); Office
of Research, Evaluation, and Statistics (ORES), Social Security
Administration (SSA); Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS),
Department of Transportation (DOT); Statistics of Income Division
(SOI), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Department of the Treasury
(Treasury).
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Principal Federal statistical organizations are jointly
announcing the opportunity to comment on their respective proposed
guidelines for ensuring and maximizing the quality, objectivity,
utility, and integrity of disseminated information. The statistical
organizations' quality guidelines are each being developed to be
responsive to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued government-
wide guidelines at 67 FR 8452-8460 (February 22, 2002) and are intended
to be included as part of the response from the Department or agency in
which the statistical organization is located. Departments and agencies
are required to issue their own implementing guidelines, including
correction procedures, and to make the guidelines available on their
individual Web Sites. Some basic features of how the Nation's principal
statistical organizations will be responsive to the OMB guidelines are
presented in the Supplementary Information section of this notice. This
notice also serves to announce the availability of each organization's
draft guidelines and related information (see Section II of
Supplementary Information).
A statistical agency or unit, as defined in the Federal Register
June 27, 1997(62 FR 35043-35050), is an agency or organizational unit
of the Executive Branch whose activities are predominantly the
collection, compilation, processing or analysis of information for
statistical purposes. The above list of statistical organizations
consists of the principal statistical agencies and other statistical
organizational units belonging to the Interagency Council on
Statistical Policy. Statistical organizations have long been leaders in
the activities that are being required under the OMB guidelines. It
should be noted that each organization will prepare its final
guidelines in conjunction with its respective Department or agency.
The Office of Management and Budget recognizes that Federal
statistical organizations provide a substantial variety of data.
Accordingly, it is understood that the OMB guidelines cannot be
implemented in the same way by each organization. In some cases, for
example, the data disseminated by an organization are not collected by
that organization at a particular point in time; rather, the
information the organization must disseminate in a timely manner is
compiled from a variety of sources (including surveys, administrative
records, and other sources) that are constantly updated and revised and
are generally confidential. While organizations' implementation of the
guidelines may differ, the essence of the guidelines will apply. That
is, these organizations must make their methods transparent by
providing documentation, ensure quality by reviewing methods and
consulting with experts and users, and inform users about corrections
and revisions.
Each organization will take comments received into account, and
will prepare its final guidelines in conjunction with its respective
Department or agency for submission to OMB by August 1, 2002.
DATES: The dates for submission of comments to the statistical
organizations vary. Comments on a specific organization's draft
guidelines must be filed by the date provided at that organization's
Web Site as listed below in Section II of SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
ADDRESSES: Comments concerning an individual statistical organization's
guidelines should be sent to that organization's representative as
noted below in Section II of the Supplementary Information. To ensure
receipt of the comments by the due date, submission by FAX or e-mail is
recommended.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Copies of the draft guidelines for
individual organizations are at the organizations' Web Sites listed
below in Section II of Supplementary Information, along with
information on a contact person for each organization.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
II. Statistical Organization Actions, Web Sites, and Representatives
III. Agency/Department Process to Respond to Comments
I. Background
Federal statistics play a key role in a broad range of public
policy, business, and individual decisions. Federal statistical surveys
and compilations of administrative data are extensive undertakings that
involve the collection of detailed information, often from large
numbers of entities.
The principal functions of Federal statistical organizations
generally include the compilation, analysis, and the dissemination of
information, although the actual mix of functions varies by
organization. Federal statistical organizations seek to maintain
[[Page 38468]]
their independence in the production of their statistics; the
confidentiality of information provided by respondents; and high
quality standards. These features foster credibility with data users
and trust among data providers. The heads of the Nation's principal
statistical agencies (ERS, NASS, BEA, Census, NCES, EIA, NCHS, BJS,
BLS, and BTS) plus the heads of the statistical units in the IRS, NSF,
and SSA, serve on the Interagency Council on Statistical Policy (ICSP)
which is led by OMB. The ICSP coordinates statistical work across
organizations, enables the exchange of information about organization
programs and activities, and provides advice and counsel to OMB on
statistical activities.
High quality publicly available statistics from Federal statistical
organizations are essential for the nation to advance the economic
well-being and quality of life of its people. OMB guidelines for the
quality, objectivity, utility, and integrity of information
disseminated by Federal agencies are encompassed by the statistical
organizations' requirements that the statistics produced must be
accurate, timely, relevant, and accessible to data users. The
statistics should also be reproducible, meaning that there is the
capability to use the documented methods on the same data set to
achieve a consistent result.
Statistical organizations, as defined above, maintain the quality
of their data or information products as well as their credibility by
setting high standards of performance in their activities. Such
activities generally include:
Development of concepts and methods;
Planning and design of surveys and other means of
collecting data;
Collection of data;
Processing and editing of data;
Analysis of data;
Production of estimates or projections;
Establishment of review procedures; and
Dissemination of data by published reports, electronic
files and other media requested by users.
Statistical organizations undertake these activities in
substantially different proportions, and not all statistical
organizations engage in each of these activities.
A statistical organization's commitment to quality and professional
standards of practice further includes: the use of modern statistical
theory and practice in all technical work; the development of strong
staff expertise in the disciplines relevant to its mission; the
implementation of ongoing quality assurance programs to improve data
validity and reliability and to improve the processes of compiling,
editing, and analyzing data; and the development of a strong and
continuing relationship with appropriate professional organizations in
the fields of statistics and relevant subject-matter areas.
To carry out its mission, a Federal statistical organization
assumes responsibility for determining sources of data, measurement
methods, methods of data collection and processing while minimizing
respondent burden; employing appropriate methods of analysis; and
ensuring the public availability of the data and documentation of the
methods used to obtain the data. Within the constraints of resource
availability, a statistical organization continually works to improve
its data systems to provide information necessary for the formulation
of public policy.
In striving for the widest possible dissemination and greatest
usefulness of its data, a statistical organization establishes a
publications policy that addresses the types of reports and other data
releases, including electronic, to be made available; the frequency and
timeliness of such releases; the variety of avenues for data
dissemination and formats; and policies for the preservation of data. A
statistical organization seeks advice on specific data concepts,
methods, and products from data users and from other professional and
technical subject-matter and methodological experts. When applicable, a
statistical organization seeks advice on its statistical program as a
whole, including the setting of statistical priorities and on the
statistical methodologies it uses. The organization strives to meet the
needs for access to data while maintaining appropriate safeguards for
the confidentiality of individual responses.
In accordance with the OMB guidelines, each agency will establish
mechanisms providing the public with the opportunity to seek correction
of information that does not comply with OMB or agency guidelines.
Those mechanisms are addressed in more detail on the Web Sites listed
below in Section II of Supplementary Information.
II. Statistical Organization Actions, Web Sites, and Representatives
According to OMB's guidelines, an agency designated in OMB Circular
A-130 must publish a notice of availability of its draft quality
guidelines in the Federal Register and post the draft guidelines on the
its Web Site to provide an opportunity for public comment. The
statistical organizations participating in this Federal Register notice
are listed below. As noted above, many statistical organizations will
also be formally covered by the quality guidelines of their parent
Department or agency, and those draft guidelines are also available for
review.
The statistical organizations listed below are requesting comments
on the quality guidelines that each has developed for its disseminated
information.
The Web Site addresses present each organization's draft guidelines
on which the organization is requesting public comments. Also included
is the organization's contact person for more information and who
should receive any comments. To ensure receipt of the comments by the
due date indicated on an agency's Web Site, submission by FAX or e-mail
is recommended.
BEA--The proposed quality guidelines are available at
www.bea.gov/. For additional information or to comment on the agency's
guidelines, contact Stephen Andrews. Mr. Andrews may be contacted by
telephone at (202) 606-9653, FAX at (202) 606-5313, or e-mail at
[email protected]. His mailing address is Bureau of Economic Analysis, BE-40,
1441 L Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20230.
BLS--The proposed quality guidelines are available at
www.bls.gov/BLS/Quality.htm. For additional information or to comment
on the agency's guidelines, contact Deborah Klein. Ms. Klein may be
contacted by telephone at (202) 691-5900, FAX at (202) 691-5899, or e-
mail at [email protected]. Her mailing address is Bureau of Labor
Statistics, 2 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E., Washington, DC 20212.
BJS--The proposed quality guidelines are available at
www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/whtsnw2.htm. For additional information or to
comment on the agency's guidelines, contact Pete Brien. Mr. Brien may
be contacted by telephone at (202) 305-0643, FAX at (202) 307-5846, or
e-mail at [email protected]. His mailing address is Bureau of
Justice Statistics, 810 7th St, NW, Washington, DC 20531.
BTS--The proposed quality guidelines are available at
www.bts.gov/statpol/. For additional information on the agency's
guidelines, contact Eugene Burns. Dr. Burns may be contacted by
telephone at (202) 366-3491, FAX at (202) 366-3640, or e-mail at
[email protected]. His mailing address is Office of Statistical
Quality (K-24), Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 400 Seventh
Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20590. To comment on
[[Page 38469]]
the agency's guidelines, send your comments to the U. S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Management System (DMS). You may submit your
comments by fax, Internet, in person, or via the U.S. mail to the
Docket Clerk, Docket No. OST-2002-11996, Department of Transportation,
400 Seventh Street, SW., Room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Comments should identify the DOT docket number. Please note that due to
delays in the delivery of U.S. mail to Federal offices in Washington,
DC, persons should consider an alternative method (the Internet, fax,
or professional delivery service) to submit comments. You may fax your
comments to the DMS at (202) 493-2251. If you wish to file comments
using the Internet, you may use the DOT DMS Web Site at http://dms.dot.gov/. Please follow the online instructions for submitting an
electronic comment.
Census--The proposed quality guidelines are available at
www.census.gov/. For additional information or to comment on the
agency's guidelines, contact Cynthia Clark. Dr. Clark may be contacted
by telephone at (301) 457-2160, FAX at (301) 457-1902, or e-mail at
[email protected]. Her mailing address is Associate Director for
Methodology and Standards, U.S. Census Bureau, Washington, DC 20233-
9000.
EIA--The proposed quality guidelines are available at
www.eia.doe.gov/neic/aboutEIA/aboutus.htm. For additional information
or to comment on the agency's guidelines, contact Jay Casselberry. Mr.
Casselberry may be contacted by telephone at (202) 287-1717, FAX at
(202) 287-1705, or e-mail at [email protected]. His mailing
address is Statistics and Methods Group (EI-70), Energy Information
Administration, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Ave., SW,
Washington, DC 20585-0670.
ERS--The proposed quality guidelines are available at
www.ers.usda.gov/. For additional information or to comment on the
agency's guidelines, contact Phil Fulton. Dr. Fulton may be contacted
by telephone at (202) 694-5000, FAX at (202) 694-5757, or e-mail at
[email protected]. His mailing address is Economic Research Service,
1800 M Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036-5831.
IRS/Statistics of Income Division--The quality guidelines
for IRS Statistics of Income Division will be included in the final
agency-wide guidelines. The IRS draft guidelines are available at
www.irs.gov/pub/irs-utl/data--quality--draft--guidelines.pdf. For
additional information or to comment on IRS's guidelines, contact Wayne
Wiegand by telephone at (202) 927-4412, FAX at (202) 874-0922, e-mail
at [email protected], or mail at Internal Revenue Service, 1111
Constitution Avenue NW, Room 3524, Washington DC 20224, ATTN: Wayne
Wiegand.
NASS--The proposed quality guidelines are available at
www.usda.gov/nass/. For additional information or to comment on the
agency's guidelines, contact Rich Allen. Mr. Allen may be contacted by
telephone at (202) 720-4333, FAX at (202) 720-9013, or e-mail at
[email protected]. His mailing address is USDA-NASS, Room 4117 South
Bldg., 1400 Independence Ave. S.W., Washington, DC 20250-2001.
NCES--The proposed quality guidelines are available at
www.nces.ed.gov/statprog. For additional information or to comment on
the agency's guidelines, contact Marilyn McMillen Seastrom. Dr.
Seastrom may be contacted by telephone at (202) 502-7303, FAX at (202)
502-1717, or email at [email protected]. Her mailing address is
NCES, Room 9051, 1990 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20006.
NCHS--The proposed quality guidelines are available at
www.cdc.gov/nchs/. For additional information or to comment on the
agency's guidelines, contact Jennifer Madans. Dr. Madans may be
contacted by telephone at 301-458-4500, FAX at (301) 458-4020, or e-
mail at [email protected]. Her mailing address is National Center for
Health Statistics, 6525 Belcrest Road, Room 1140, Hyattsville, MD
20782.
NSF/Division of Science Resources Statistics--The proposed
quality guidelines are available at www.nsf.gov/sbe/srs/infoqual.htm.
For additional information or to comment on the division's guidelines,
contact Jeri Mulrow. Ms. Mulrow may be contacted by telephone at (703)
292-4784, FAX at (703) 292-9092, or e-mail at [email protected]. Her
mailing address is Division of Science Resources Statistics, National
Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Room 965, Arlington, VA 22230.
SSA/Office of Research, Evaluation, and Statistics--The
proposed quality guidelines are available at http://www.ssa.gov/515/.
For additional information or to comment on SSA's guidelines, contact
Brian Greenberg. Note that quality guidelines for SSA's statistical
information products are included in agency-wide guidelines. Dr.
Greenberg may be contacted by telephone at (410) 965-0131, FAX at (410)
965-3308, or e-mail at [email protected]. His mailing address
is Social Security Administration, Office of Research, Evaluation, and
Statistics, Room 4C15, Operations Building, 6401 Security Blvd.,
Baltimore, MD 21235.
III. Agency/Department Process To Respond to Comments
Comments submitted to each individual organization in response to
their notices will be summarized by them and/or may be included in
their request for OMB approval of the organization's final quality
guidelines. In any event, the submitted comments become a matter of
public record.
Authorities: Sec. 515 of the Treasury and General Government
Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2001 (Pub. L. 106-554; H.R. 5658)
and the Office of Management and Budget Final Guidelines issued on
February 22, 2002 (67 FR 8452-8460).
Issued in Washington, D.C. May 29, 2002.
Susan E. Offutt,
Administrator, Economic Research Service, Department of Agriculture.
R. Ronald Bosecker,
Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service, Department of
Agriculture.
C. Louis Kincannon,
Director, U.S. Census Bureau, Department of Commerce.
J. Steven Landefeld,
Director, Bureau of Economic Analysis, Department of Commerce.
Gary Phillips,
Deputy Commissioner, National Center for Education Statistics,
Department of Education.
Mary J. Hutzler,
Acting Administrator, Energy Information Administration, Department of
Energy.
Edward J. Sondik,
Director, National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services.
Mr. Lawrence A. Greenfeld,
Acting Director, Bureau of Justice Statistics, Department of Justice.
Lois Orr,
Acting Commissioner, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Department of Labor.
[[Page 38470]]
Lynda T. Carlson,
Director, Division of Science Resources Statistics National Science
Foundation.
Susan Grad,
Acting Associate Commissioner, Office of Research, Evaluation, and
Statistics, Social Security Administration.
Ashish Sen,
Director, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Department of
Transportation.
Issued in Washington, DC May 7, 2002.
Thomas Petska,
Director, Statistics of Income Division, Internal Revenue Service,
Department of Treasury.
[FR Doc. 02-13892 Filed 6-3-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P