Examination of a Twelve-Month Reference Period

Step 2: Survey of Crime Victimization Call Scripts
Hello. My name is [XXXXXX] and I work for the NORC at the University of Chicago. Thank you
for your interest in the study. Let me tell you a little bit about what we are going to do and then you
can let me know if you are still interested.
Description of Study and the Cognitive Interviews:
The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) is sponsoring a study to explore ways to help people remember
crime events they may have experienced, and NORC, acting as the data collection agent, is
conducting the Survey of Crime Victimization (SCV) to examine this issue. The research that NORC
will conduct also will help improve how data is obtained. We are currently scheduling volunteers to
help assess the methods NORC is developing. Your participation and interest is very important to us.
What will happen/Procedure:
For this particular study, we will ask you to come in person to one of our offices here in Chicago.
Once here, we will ask you a series of questions related to crime and criminal victimization. You
may find some questions embarrassing or distressing, and you can refuse to answer any question or
stop the interview at any time. Your participation is voluntary and confidential. Any information you
provide is unavailable to anyone outside of the research project. At the end of the interview, we will
ask you to complete a debriefing questionnaire to obtain your input on whether the materials were
easy to understand and your overall impression of the survey.
Everyone working on this project is required by law to protect your privacy. BJS is required to only
use your information for statistical purposes, and we are prohibited from ever using your information
in a way that identifies you. Your answers will always be kept private, and none of the information
that we collect about you will be used for any purpose other than statistics unless we first get your
consent.
The interview and debriefing should take approximately 1 hour and will be conducted at NORC's
Chicago offices. With your permission, we will record the interview to assist with data analysis.
Would you grant your permission to record the interview?
RECORD ANSWER: YES

NO

[PROCEED WITH REMAINING TEXT.]

If you are interviewed, you will be compensated $40 for your time. If you have any questions about
the research, please contact James Carr, Project Director at 312-759-5088.
Would you like to participate?
Yes -- Great. I am going to ask you a few background questions to confirm your eligibility.
Then we can schedule an appointment time for you. If you have any questions regarding your
rights as a study participant, you may call Kathleen Parks, the NORC IRB Administrator, toll
free, at 866-309-0542.
No -- That's okay. We appreciate your call. Have a nice day.

Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS)?
The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) is the United States' primary source for criminal justice
statistics. Part of the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, the Bureau collects,
analyzes, publishes and disseminates information on crime, criminal offenders, victims of crime
and the operation of justice systems at all levels of government. You may learn more about BJS
at its website, www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/
How much will I get paid?
You will be compensated $40 for your time.
Who do I contact if I have questions about my rights as a respondent?
If you have any questions regarding your rights as a study participant, you may call Kathleen
Parks, the NORC IRB Administrator, toll free, at 866-309-0542.
What is the study about?
This survey, the Survey of Crime Victimization, is a survey that collects information on crime
victimization. Conducting this research will help improve ways that data is collected as well as
help improve the accuracy of data collection.
Who is NORC?
NORC is the National Opinion Research Center, a not-for-profit social science research
organization affiliated with the University of Chicago. You may learn more about NORC at its
website, www.norc.org, or call one of the study directors, Lisa Lee at (312) 759 4284 or Jim Carr
at (312) 759 5088. If you have questions about your rights as a study participant, please contact
Kathleen Parks, the NORC IRB Administrator, toll-free at 866-309-0542.
Do I have to participate?
Participation is voluntary. You may choose whether or not you want to be in this study. If you
decide to be in the study, you may refuse to answer any question you do not want to answer or to
stop participating at any time.
How is my privacy protected?
To protect the privacy of study participants, your name will not appear on the survey. Your
survey will be identified only by an identification number. Any results of the study that are
released (such as in a scholarly publication) will be in a summary form that does not allow
individual participants such as yourself to be identified. Any documents that include your name
will be destroyed at the conclusion of the study.

Everyone working on this project is required by law to protect your privacy. The Bureau of
Justice Statistics (BJS) is required to only use your information for statistical purposes, and
NORC is prohibited from ever using your information in a way that identifies you. Your answers
will always be kept private, and none of the information that we collect about you will be used
for any purpose other than statistics unless we first get your consent.