The U.S. Census Bureau’s Usability Lab conducted the third round of usability testing on the 2011 American Community Survey (ACS) Internet instrument from June 30th, 2010 to July 29th, 2010. This third usability test focused on the Login and Rostering sections of the ACS.

Some of the mailing materials associated with the instrument were also evaluated. The Initial mailing packet for the prominent choice, not prominent choice, or regular/modified push panel was given to the participant to use to access the online instrument and some feedback on the materials was gathered. These three panels were the ones that offered an Internet option for responding to the ACS, so the materials could be used in the lab by participants to access the online survey. A detailed description of the experimental panels from the 2011 ACS Internet test can be found in Ashenfelter, Holland, Quach, Nichols, & Lakhe (2011). A vignette methodology using fictitious complex living situations was applied in addition to having participants complete the survey based on their own living situations. This allowed the researchers to glean information related to a wider variety of coverage issues than those of the participants.