OMB Information Collection Request
Supporting Statement B
U.S. Department of Commerce
U.S. Census Bureau
Household Pulse Survey during the COVID-19 Epidemic
B. COLLECTIONS OF INFORMATION EMPLOYING STATISTICAL METHODS
As noted in Part A, the Household Pulse Survey is in experimental phase. Fielding this survey
during the COVID-19 epidemic is designed as a proof of concept. As such, the methodology
detailed here may adapt over time. As the methodology adapts, we will submit non-substantive
changes to this information collection request to OMB. In addition, we will provide all
information about sampling, weighting, post-survey processing, and cognitive testing results on
our website to maximize transparency for the public. This transparency is especially important
given the predicted value to decision makers of having weekly state-by-state estimates of the
health, social, and economic characteristics of their package. In addition to Attachment E in Part
A which provides further detail on the Census Bureau’s rationale and approach, Part B,
Attachment B herein sets forth a weighting methodology for this survey effort.
1. Universe and Respondent Selection
The universe for the Household Pulse Survey is the approximately 140,000,000 housing
units in the United States. For operational efficiency, only housing units linked to one
or more email addresses or cell phone numbers will be eligible for the sample. One
respondent from each housing unit is selected to respond for him or herself. The initial
sample for week 1 is approximately 2,159,000 housing units, with an additional
approximately 1,100,000 housing units each additional week of data collection. We
expect to successfully receive 108,000 responses each week. The total sample size over
the 12 week period will be approximately 13.8 million housing units. This represents a
5 percent response rate.
2. Procedures for Collecting Information
Housing units linked to one or more email addresses or cell phone numbers are eligible
for the sample. These housing units are stratified by state and the top 15 metropolitan
areas. The sample size was determined to detect a 2 percent weekly change in key
estimates at the national, state, or metropolitan area level. The sample was then
allocated to states and metropolitan areas proportionally, using the number of housing
units as the measure of size. Samples cases will be matched to the Census Bureau’s
Contact Frame to assign email addresses. (See Attachment A for information on the
Contact Frame.)
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 One of the main requirements of the survey is to track changes over time. To reduce
respondent burden, the survey will have overlapping weekly panels that will be
interviewed for three consecutive weeks and then rotate out of the sample, to be
replaced by a new three-week panel. Each panel is representative of the target universe.
Because response rates are expected to be low, sample will be added each week to
existing panels based on their response patterns to ensure that they continue to be
representative of the population. (See Attachment B for the Covid-19 Household Pulse
Survey questionnaire.)
The Census Bureau will conduct this information collection online using Qualtrics as
the data collection platform. Qualtrics currently is used at the Census Bureau for
research and development surveys and provides the necessary agility to deploy the
Household Pulse Survey quickly and securely. It operates in the Gov Cloud, is
FedRAMP authorized at the moderate level, and has an Authority to Operate from the
Census Bureau to collect personally identifiable and Title-protected data. The Census
Bureau will utilize longitudinal data collection methodology to limit the need to re-ask
questionnaire content once baseline information has been collected for continuing
cases.
Weekly survey estimates will be produced by weighting the results to the estimate of
the occupied number of housing units from the American Community Survey at the
geographic levels of the nation, state, and metropolitan area. We expect to refine our
weighting processes over time to make better use of available information and to reduce
nonresponse bias in the estimates. (See Attachment C for details on the weighting plan.)
3. Methods to Maximize Response
The survey is designed to meet the goal of accurate and timely weekly estimates. It will
be conducted by an internet questionnaire, with links sent by email and possibly text
message. Multiple email addresses and cell phone numbers will be used to increase
response for nonrespondents. These modes are expected to yield response rates much
lower than traditional surveys. The benefits are implementation efficiency, cost, and
timeliness of responses.
Standard errors will be large but will be available for data users to understand the
quality of the estimates. Nonresponse bias is likely to be an issue, but measures such as
the demographic distribution of the survey respondents compared to benchmarks will
be produced for data users to consider in their analyses. There are no other known data
sources that can provide comprehensive, relevant, and timely information. At the very
least, this survey will provide non-anecdotal evidence about the effects of the pandemic
on the population even if the quality is lower than would be traditionally acceptable.
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 4. Testing of Procedures
The Center for Behavioral Science Methods completed a thorough expert review that
consisted of nine independent experts reviewing the questionnaire independently,
followed by a consensus meeting to discuss comments and come up with
recommendations. The recommendations were then passed to the Demographic
Directorate, who accepted most of the expert recommendations and responded with
subject-matter justifications for those recommendations that were not accepted. In the
end, the questionnaire comprised a consensus of the expert survey methodologist
recommendations and the subject matter needs.
Given the rapid response nature of this effort and in keeping with the agile approach in
which the Household Pulse Survey is being deployed, the Census Bureau will seed the
first release of sample with cognitive experts from across the statistical community and
solicit feedback from them for ways the survey instrument can be improved.
Additionally, we will release the survey to Census Bureau field staff working across the
country, leveraging their experience as professional interviewers for feedback on the
way in which respondents living in diverse communities may understand and respond
to the questionnaire items. Feedback from the expert reviewers and debriefings with the
field staff will be consolidated to yield recommendations for question improvements.
Changes will be made and deployed in week 2 (and week 3 as necessary).
Questions identified as priorities for testing include those that were developed
specifically to address the Covid-19 epidemic; items developed for potential future
deployment to understand households’ decision-making in light of receiving economic
stimulus payments; and questions deemed to be overly complex from a cognitive
standpoint, likely as a consequence of asking agencies contributing content to keep the
number of items to a minimum to reduce burden (e.g., questions on food security,
questions on educational disruption).
The Census Bureau will release these data under the auspices of its Experimental
Statistical Product Series. Information on the Series is available at
https://www.census.gov/data/experimental-data-products.html#.

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 5. Contacts for Statistical Aspects and Data Collection
Statistical Design:
Anthony Tersine
Demographic Statistical Methods Division
Demographic Programs
Anthony.g.tersine@census.gov
Data Collection/Survey Design:
Jason Fields
Social Economic and Housing Statistics Division
Associate Director Demographic Programs
jason.m.fields@census.gov
Jennifer Hunter Childs
Center for Behavioral Science Methods
Associate Director Research and Methodology
jennifer.hunter.childs@census.gov

Statistical Analysis:
David Waddington
Social Economic and Housing Statistics Division
Associate Director Demographic Programs
david.g.waddington@census.gov

Attachments
A. Census Bureau Contact Frame
B. Household Pulse Survey: Weighting Approach

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