NCVSResearchSupportStateB

2. Collection of Information Employing Statistical Methods

1. Potential Respondent Universe

The potential universe for the NCVS national sample is all persons 12 years of age or older in more than 120 million households and persons 12 or over living in group quarters situations (except crews of vessels, military in barracks, and the institutional population). For the purposes of the NCVS-RR, BJS will work with contractors to select samples in regions of the country that will minimize interviewing travel costs. BJS will direct contractors to draw samples that represent as many different demographic groups as possible.

2. Procedures for Information Collection

Data collection procedures for the testing under this clearance will be varied, and may include cognitive interviews, computer-assisted personal interviews (CAPI), computer-assisted telephone interviews (CATI), interactive voice response (IVR), and Web-based surveys. Specific information about data collection procedures will be contained in the documentation provided to OMB when materials for each study are submitted for expedited review.

3. Methods to Maximize Response

Initial contact methods for the households in each sample for the NCVS-RR will vary by the project and design component being tested. Several of the current methods used to maximize response rates will be used in conjunction with the NCVS-RR. For instance, in the current NCVS, the Census Bureau mails advance letters explaining the nature of the study and the authority under which the survey is conducted. Interviewers carry identification cards, and potential respondents are assured their answers will be held in confidence and only used for statistical purposes.

Nonresponse is a critical outcome variable of interest in the methodological research. This will be examined by mode of data collection, and its impact upon estimates will be evaluated. Accordingly, information will be collected on how often and what type of follow-up is more likely to result in sampled households and members completing interviews.

4. Test of Procedures or Methods

The entire submission consists of tests of data collection instruments and supporting activities. It is anticipated that all of the research conducted under this clearance will result in questionnaires and procedures that minimize respondent burden, and improve the efficiency and efficacy of the ongoing victimization survey.

5. Consultation Information

The Victimization Statistics Unit at BJS takes responsibility for the overall design and management of the activities described in this submission, including developing study protocols, sampling procedures, and questionnaires and overseeing the conduct of the studies and analysis of the data by contractors. BJS is also working with staff at the Census Bureau to coordinate research activities with ongoing NCVS operations. BJS, Census Bureau, and current contractor contacts include:

BJS Staff: Allen Beck, Ph.D., Senior Statistical Advisor Bureau of Justice Statistics 810 Seventh St., N.W. Washington, DC 20531 (202) 616-3277 Michael Rand, Chief Victimization Statistics Unit Bureau of Justice Statistics 810 Seventh St., N.W. Washington, DC 20531 (202) 616-3494 Katrina Baum, Ph.D., Senior Statistician Victimization Statistics Unit Bureau of Justice Statistics 810 Seventh St., N.W. Washington, DC 20531 (202) 307-5889 Shannan Catalano, Ph.D., Statistician Victimization Statistics Unit Bureau of Justice Statistics 810 Seventh St., N.W. Washington, DC 20531 (202) 616-3502

Census Staff: Jeremy K. Shimer, Chief Crime Surveys Branch U.S. Census Bureau 4600 Silver Hill Road Suitland, MD 20746 (301) 763-5319 Dave Watt, Chief Crime Surveys Programming Branch U.S. Census Bureau 4600 Silver Hill Road Suitland, MD 20746 (301) 763-5447 Steve Ash, Chief Victimization and Expenditure Branch Demographic Statistical Methods Division U.S. Census Bureau 4600 Silver Hill Road Suitland, MD 20746 (301) 763-4294

Principal Investigators: RTI Lisa Carley-Baxter Senior Survey Methodologist Survey Research Division 3040 Cornwallis Road Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2194 (919) 541-6376 Westat David Cantor Associate Director 1650 Research Boulevard Rockville, MD 20850 (301) 294-2080		NORC Candace Johnson Senior Research Scientist Justice Studies National Opinion Research Center 9479 Silver King Court Fairfax, VA 22031 (571) 432-0202