Research Reports

A Usability Evaluation of the Nonresponse Followup Enumerator (NRFU) Questionnaire Form

Jennifer Romano, Elizabeth Murphy, Erica Olmsted-Hawala, & Jennifer Hunter Childs

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ABSTRACT

In preparation for the 2010 Census, the Statistical Research Division (SRD) evaluated the usability of the Nonresponse Followup Enumerator Questionnaire (NRFU) form in July 2008. The testing evaluated the success and satisfaction of 19 participants with the paper form developed by the Decennial Management Division (DMD). The paper form will be used by census interviewers in the 2010 Census. Census interviewers will visit non-respondents and record their answers in a personal interview. Participants in this usability test acting as census interviewers attempted to administer the NRFU questionnaire to SRD Usability Lab staff members who acted as census respondents. Usability testing revealed several usability problems, including difficulties maneuvering the form and binder that is used during administration, difficulties using the continuation form, and difficulties accurately recording respondents’ answers. This report provides a complete summary of the findings of this usability evaluation. Recommendations are provided to improve the usability of the NRFU form.

CITATION: Romano, Jennifer, Murphy, Elizabeth, Olmsted-Hawala, Erica, & Childs, Jennifer Hunter. A Usability Evaluation of the Nonresponse Followup Enumerator (NRFU) Questionnaire Form. Statistical Research Division Study Series (Survey Methodology #2008-10). U.S. Census Bureau.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Statistical Research Division

Created: October 19, 2008
Last revised: September 25, 2008