fast track Evaluation Using Focus Groups: Topic Guide

Request for Approval under the “Generic Clearance for the Collection of Routine Customer Feedback” (OMB#: 0925-0648 Exp., date: 05/2021)

TITLE OF INFORMATION COLLECTION: Evaluation Using Focus Groups: Topic Guide

PURPOSE:

To collect feedback from the NIH extramural staff on their training experience; and the most valuable takeaways and expected impact from training events, programs, or activities. The information from this collection of data will be used to improve future extramural staff training events, programs, activities, and or efforts.

DESCRIPTION OF RESPONDENTS:

This questionnaire will be shared with extramural staff (program, review, and grants management) involved in the administration and oversight of the NIH funding process.

Respondents will be individuals who voluntarily choose to participate in focus group sessions. The questionnaire will be accessible through online survey link, administered during focus group discussions, or sent as a follow-up electronic document.

TYPE OF COLLECTION: (Check one)

[] Customer Comment Card/Complaint Form [] Customer Satisfaction Survey

[] Usability Testing (e.g., Website or Software [] Small Discussion Group

[X] Focus Group [] Other: ______________________

CERTIFICATION:

I certify the following to be true:

1. The collection is voluntary.

2. The collection is low burden for respondents and low-cost for the Federal Government.

3. The collection is non-controversial and does not raise issues of concern to other federal agencies.

4. The results are not intended to be disseminated to the public.

5. Information gathered will not be used for the purpose of substantially informing influential policy decisions.

6. The collection is targeted to the solicitation of opinions from respondents who have experience with the program or may have experience with the program in the future.

Name: Rosalina Bray, OD/OER/DCO/Extramural Staff Training Office

To assist review, please provide answers to the following question:

Personally Identifiable Information:

1. Is personally identifiable information (PII) collected? [] Yes [X] No

2. If Yes, is the information that will be collected included in records that are subject to the Privacy Act of 1974? [] Yes [ X] No

3. If Applicable, has a System or Records Notice been published? [] Yes [] No [X] N/A

Gifts or Payments:

Is an incentive (e.g., money or reimbursement of expenses, token of appreciation) provided to participants? [] Yes [X] No

ESTIMATED BURDEN HOURS and COSTS

Category of Respondent	No. of Respondents	No. of Responses per Respondent	Time per Response (in hours)	Total Burden Hours
Individuals/Households	25	1	1	25
Totals		25		25

Category of Respondent	Total Burden Hours	Hourly Wage Rate*	Total Burden Cost
Individuals/Households	25	$46.00	$1,150.00
Totals			$1,150.00

The General Public wage rate was obtained from https://www.bls.gov/oes/2019/may/oes_nat.htm#00-0000

FEDERAL COST: The estimated annual cost to the Federal government is $17,000.00

Staff	Grade/Step	Salary*	% of Effort	Fringe (if applicable)	Total Cost to Gov’t
Federal Oversight
Extramural Staff Training Officer	GS - 14	$142,000.00	12%	0	$17,000.00
Travel
Other Cost
Total					$17,000.00

*the Salary in table above is cited from https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/salary-tables/pdf/2018/DCB.pdf

If you are conducting a focus group, survey, or plan to employ statistical methods, please provide answers to the following questions:

The selection of your targeted respondents

1. Do you have a customer list or something similar that defines the universe of potential respondents and do you have a sampling plan for selecting from this universe? [X] Yes [] No

If the answer is yes, please provide a description of both below (or attach the sampling plan)? If the answer is no, please provide a description of how you plan to identify your potential group of respondents and how you will select them?

Fiscal year baseline data from NIH QVR IMPAC II system which extramural staff who are responsible for the oversight and administration of grants are listed.

Administration of the Instrument

1. How will you collect the information? (Check all that apply)

[] Web-based or other forms of Social Media

[] Telephone

[X] In-person

[] Mail

[] Other, Explain

2. Will interviewers or facilitators be used? [ X] Yes [] No

Please make sure that all instruments, instructions, and scripts are submitted with the request.

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