Various Demographic Area Pretesting Activities

27

Protocol for SIPP-EHC- Parental Mortality and Natality Questions 2012 Round One

Participant ID #: |___|___|___|___|___|

Interview Date: |___|___| / |___|___| / |_2_|_0_|_1_|_2_| (mm/dd/yyyy)

Interviewer initials: |___|___|

Start Time: ____________ AM / PM End Time: ____________ AM / PM

Section 1: Interviewer: Read/ Paraphrase the following text:

Greeting: Hello. My name is ________________, and I work for the Census Bureau. Thank you for agreeing to participate in our study.

What: In order to help us improve our surveys, we turn to people like you to find out if our questions make sense and are fairly easy to understand and answer. We have found that the best way to do that is to actually conduct the survey with people and see how it works for them. So you will be helping us test a questionnaire from one of our surveys.

How: I want you to answer the questions exactly the way you would if an interviewer had come to your home for an official interview, but with one major difference…

Think Aloud: I would like you to think aloud as you answer the questions. I am interested in your answers, but I am also interested in the process you go through in your mind when you answer the questions. I would like you to tell me everything that you are thinking and feeling as you go about answering each question.

Practice question: How many windows are there in your house or apartment?

Interruptions: From time to time I’ll ask you some questions about your answers, or about the questions themselves. Remember, there are no right or wrong answers, because only you know what you are thinking.

I really want to hear your opinions and reactions, so don’t hesitate to speak up whenever something is unclear, is hard to answer, or doesn’t seem to apply to you. Do you have any questions before we begin?

Confidentiality: Our session today is completely confidential. Any names you provide will never be used in our reports. Your participation in this study is completely voluntary and you can decline to answer any particular question.

Recording: So I don’t have to rely on my memory later on, I’d like to tape record this interview. That way, I can focus today on what you’re saying rather than having to concentrate on taking notes. Is that ok with you?

** HAVE PARTICIPANT SIGN CONSENT FORM**

Paper Instrument used for Pretesting

2012 SIPP-EHC COGNITIVE TEST INSTRUMENT

January 26, 2012

For half of the respondents: Now I’m going to ask you some questions about yourself and the people who live with you. You may find that some of the questions being asked are sensitive or personal. Please understand that this information is important to us so it is helpful if you answer as honestly as you can.

SECTION ONE

Current SIPP- EHC Household Roster and Demographic Questions

Use Control Card Table

1. HH Roster

First, I need to list all the people who live or stay at this address – that is, people who live and sleep here most of the time. Let’s begin with the name of the person or one of the persons who owns or rents this home.

(Who else?)

2. SEX (ask or verify)

What is your sex? Are you male or female?

Person 2+: And what about …?

3. RELATIONSHIP

Please look at Flashcard A [RELATIONSHIPS] and tell me what is (your / …’s) relationship to [PERSON 1]?

(1) Husband/Wife (2) Unmarried Partner (3) Child (biological/step/adopted)

(4) Grandchild (5) Mother/Father (6) Brother/Sister

(7) Other Relative (uncle/cousin/mother-in-law/father-in-law/etc.)

(8) Foster Child (9) Housemate/Roommate (10) Roomer/Boarder

(11) Other Non-Relative

Person 2+:

4. DATE OF BIRTH

What is (your/his/her) date of birth?

Person 2+:

5. AGE (Ask or verify):

What is (your/his/her) age?

Person 2+:

6. HISPANIC

(Are you / Is he/Is she) Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino? And what about …?

Person 2+:

7. RACE

Please choose one or more races from Flashcard B [RACE] that (you / …) consider(s) (your/him/her)self to be. [MARK 6 FOR “OTHER”]

(1) White (2) Black or African American

(3) American Indian or Alaska Native (4) Asian

(5) Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

Person 2+:

8. EDUCATION

Please look at Flashcard C [EDUCATION]. What is the highest level of school (you have / … has) completed, or the highest degree (you have / he/she has) received?

Person 2+:

9. MARITAL STATUS

(Are you / Is he/Is she) currently

(1) married, (2) widowed, (3) divorced, (4) separated, or

(5) (have you / has he/ has she) never been married?

Person 2+:

10. LINE NUMBER OF SPOUSE

(Does your/his/ her) spouse lives here? (Record line number)

Person 2+:

11. LINE NUMBER OF FIRST PARENT

(Do/Does you/name of person) have a parent living in this household? (Record line number)

(If yes: Who is it?)

(If no: skip to next person)

Person 2+:

If no: How did you come up with your answer?

12. TYPPAR1

Is (name of first parent from Line # First parent) (name of person’s) biological, step or adopted (mother/father gender fill)?

Person 2+:

For everyone: How did you come up with your answer?

For blended families (step, adoptive parents): Probe to see if people are answering the previous question for social parents or just biological parents. Also probe to see what type of relationships are being reported as adoptive.

For biological parents:
What does a biological parent mean to you? (Only ask the first time they answer saying biological parent)

For adoptive parents:
What does an adoptive parent mean to you? (Only ask the first time they answer saying adoptive parent)

Did person X legally adopt __?

For step parents:
What does a step parent mean to you? (Only ask the first time they answer saying step parent)

If none of the above, and respondent is part of a same-sex couple:
How would you classify yourself? (Or how would you classify your partner?)
Ask them what step, adoptive or biological parent means to them, if haven’t already asked that yet.

13. LINE NUMBER OF SECOND PARENT

(Do/Does you/name of person) have another parent living in this household? (Record line number)

(If yes: Who is it?)

(If no: skip to next person)

Person 2+:

If no: How did you come up with your answer?

14. TYPPAR2

Is (name of second parent from Line # Second parent) (name of person’s) biological, step or adopted (mother/father gender fill)?

Person 2+:

For everyone: How did you come up with your answer?

For blended families (step, adoptive parents): Probe to see if people are answering the previous question for social parents or just biological parents. Also probe to see what type of relationships are being reported as adoptive.

For biological parents:
What does a biological parent mean to you? (Only ask the first time they answer saying biological parent)

For adoptive parents:
What does an adoptive parent mean to you? (Only ask the first time they answer saying adoptive parent)

Did person X legally adopt __?

For step parents:
What does a step parent mean to you? (Only ask the first time they answer saying step parent)

If none of the above, and respondent is part of a same-sex couple:
How would you classify yourself? (Or how would you classify your partner?)
Ask them what step, adoptive or biological parent means to them, if haven’t already asked that yet.

SECTION TWO

CHECK POINT #1

Person is 15+ and living with children (step/adopted/biological) go to SECTION THREE

Person is 15+ and not living with any children  ASK ANYCHILD
Person is under 15 Skip to SECTION FOUR (but only after asking about all adults)

MULTIPLE PARTNER FERTILITY SCREENER

ANYCHILD

Universe: Age 15+, with no children listed on the HH roster

[Do you have/ Does name have] any children? (Please include biological, step or adopted children, either living or deceased.)

YES (continue on next page –SECTION THREE)

NO (skip fertility items – GOTO SECTION FOUR)

SECTION THREE

Revised 2012 SIPP-EHC Multiple Partners Fertility Question Items

INTRO

Universe - Age 15+ and has any type of children

Respondent: self or proxy

Now I have some questions about (your/names) biological children.  By this I mean any children that (you/name) (have/has) (given birth to/biologically fathered). 

Q1. BCHDNUM

([Female fill] How/ [Male fill] All together how) many children (have/has) (you/he/she) ever (given birth to/biologically fathered)?

(NOTE:

Count all biological children of this person, regardless of whether they were born within or outside of any marriage.  

Include those who don't live with this person now, or if they died or were adopted by someone else;

do not count adopted, foster, or stepchildren; and, 

do not count stillbirths.)

_______________ (whole number) Enter 0 for none.

If number of children reported here is less than number of children reported on roster ask next Q.

If number of children reported here is more than number of children reported on roster skip to checkpoint 2.

As needed: How did you come up with your answer?

Males: What do you think of this question?

CHECKPOINT #2

• Only 1 biological child and not on roster (or other table)  go to PATH B1 on p7

• Only 1 bio child and on roster (or other table)- go to PATH B2 on p8

• Two or more children

  • IF at least one child not on roster (or other table) GOTO PATH C1 ON p9

  • IF bio children on roster (or other table) but Parent2 not known  GOTO PATH C2 p12

  • IF bio children on roster (or other table) and Parent2 known  GOTO SECTION FOUR

PATH B1: ONLY ONE CHILD- DON’T HAVE INFORMATION

Universe: NOT LISTED ON HH ROSTER/TYPE 2 ROSTER

USE TABLE 1

Q2. CHDNAM

I need to list the first names of your biological child(ren), so that I can refer to them in the next couple of questions. What is [your/his/her] biological child’s name (or initials)?

Q3. CHDDOB

What is [his/her] date of birth? (or age?)

Q6. OTHPARENT

Does [child’s name]’s [biological father/mother] live here?

1. YES, Someone in the HH (GO TO Q7)

2. NO, Someone NOT in the HH (GO TO Q8)

Q7. ifQ6= YES

Who is [child’s name]’s biological father/mother?

Q8. GRAN (Universe: R’s biological child is at least 15 years old, and R is at least 30)

Are you a grandparent- that is, do any of your (biological) children have biological or adopted children of their own who are currently living?

1. YES

2. NO

• GO TO SECTION FOUR

PATH B2: ONLY ONE CHILD – HAVE INFORMATION

Universe: LISTED ON HH ROSTER/ TYPE 2 ROSTER

USE TABLE 1

Q2. CHDNAM2 - VERIFY from roster or other table

That would be [child’s name], is that correct?

1. YES – AUTOFIL NAME(GOTO NEXT PERSON OR SECTION)

2. NO – CORRECT NAME

Q3. CHDDOB

IF KNOWN – VERIFY from roster or other table (1)

I have [name’s] date of birth as [DOB], is that correct? (or age?)

1. YES – FILL DOB(GOTO NEXT PERSON OR SECTION)

2. NO – CORRECT DOB

IF DOB IS MISSING (2)

What is [his/her] date of birth? (or age?)

Q6. OTHPARENT -IF NOT KNOWN(TYPE 2)

Does [child’s name]’s [biological father/mother] live here?

1. YES, Someone in the HH

2. NO, Someone NOT in the HH

Q7. ifQ6= YES

Who is [child’s name]’s biological father/mother?

Q8. GRAN (Universe: R’s biological child is at least 15 years old and R is at least 30)

Are you a grandparent- that is, do any of your (biological) children have biological or adopted children of their own who are currently living?

1. YES

2. NO

• GO TO SECTION FOUR

PATH C1: TWO OR MORE BIOLOGICAL CHILDREN AND AT LEAST ONE NOT LIVING AT HOME

Universe: at least one child not living at home (# of biological children GT # of co-resident children)

TOPIC-BASED QUESTIONS

USE TABLE 1

Q2. CHDNAM

SHOW ROSTER TO SELECT NAMES OF THOSE ON ROSTER

I need to list the first names of your biological child(ren), so that I can refer to them in the next couple of questions. Let’s start with your oldest child.

What is [his or her] name (or initials)?

(2+times ask) What is the name of your next child?

Q3. CHDDOB

IF NOT KNOWN based on roster or other table (1)

What is [name’s] date of birth? (or age?)

IF KNOWN – AUTOFIL & VERIFY (2)

I have [name’s] date of birth as [DOB], is that correct? (or age?)

1. YES – FILL DOB(GOTO NEXT PERSON OR SECTION)

2. NO – CORRECT DOB

Q4. SAMEPAR

Do all of [your/his/her] biological children have the same biological [mother/father]?

1. YES (all were non-co-resident children)  OTHPARENT (AUTOFIL CHDCLUS)

2. YES, (at least one co-resident-child)  GO TO SECTION FOUR

3. NO  IF # of biological kids is greater than 2  Q5. CHDCLUS

4. NO  IF # of biological kids is = to 2 Q6. OTHPARENT (AUTOFIL Q6)

Q5. CHDCLUS (USE TABLE B)

Universe - 3 or more biological children with different biological parents

1^st time ASK: (1)

Which of [your/his/her] children have the same biological [mother/father]?

IF NONE OF THE CHILDREN SHARE THE SAME BIOLOGICAL [MOTHER/FATHER], LIST NAME OF CHILD IN SEPARATE CLUSTER, then ASK >OTHPARENT<

2+ times ASK: (2)

Other than the children we have already discussed, which other of [your/his/her] children have the same biological [mother/father]?

Q6. OTHPARENT

Universe – “cluster” of children with the same ‘other’ biological parent and other bio-parent is not known

[DO NAMES / DOES NAME]’s biological [mom/dad] live here?

1. Yes, live in the HH continue with WHOBIOP

2. No, do not live in the HH continue with next cluster

Q7. WHOBIOP

Universe - if child’s biological parent lives in the HH

Who is [name/names] [biological mother/father]? [REFER TO ROSTER]

Q8. GRAN (Universe: R’s biological child is at least 15 years old and R is at least 30)

Are you a grandparent- that is, do any of your (biological) children have biological or adopted children of their own who are currently living?

1. YES

2. NO

• GO TO SECTION FOUR

PATH C2: TWO OR MORE BIOLOGICAL CHILDREN AND ALL ARE LISTED ON ROSTER, BUT PARENT2 NOT KNOWN

Universe: number of co-resident children= # if biological children and other-bio parent not known

USE TABLE 1

Q2. CHDNAM2

VERIFY (ASSUMING WE HAVE ALL THE NAMES-otherwise go to PATH C1)

I have a list of all your biological children’s name. They are: READ NAMES, is that correct?

1. YES – AUTOFIL NAME

2. NO – CORRECT NAME

Q3. CHDDOB

IF KNOWN - VERIFY (1)

I have [name’s] date of birth as [DOB], is that correct? (or age?)

1. YES – FILL DOB

2. NO – CORRECT DOB

IF DOB IS MISSING (2)

What is [his/her] date of birth? (or age?)

Q4. SAMEPAR

Do all of [your/his/her] biological children have the same biological [mother/father]?

1. YES  IF THERE IS ANOTHER ADULT IN THE HOUSEHOLD GO TO SECTION FOUR

2. NO  IF # of biological kids is = to 2 OTHPARENT (autofil CHDCLUS)

3. NO  IF # of biological kids is greater than 2  CHDCLUS

Q5. CHDCLUS (USE TABLE 2)

Universe - 3 or more biological children with different biological parents

1^st time ASK: (1)

Which of [your/his/her] children have the same biological [mother/father]?

IF NONE OF THE CHILDREN SHARE THE SAME BIOLOGICAL [MOTHER/FATHER], LIST NAME OF CHILD IN SEPARATE CLUSTER, then ASK >OTHPARENT<

2+ times ASK: (2)

Other than the children we have already discussed, which other of [your/his/her] children have the same biological [mother/father]?

Q6. OTHPARENT

Universe – “cluster” of children with the same ‘other’ biological parent and other bio-parent is not known

[DO NAMES / DOES NAME]’s biological [mom/dad] live here?

1. Yes, lives in the HH continue with WHOBIOP

2. No, does not live in the HH continue with next child

Q7. WHOBIOP

Universe - if child’s biological parent lives in the HH

Who is [name/names] [biological mother/father]? [REFER TO ROSTER]

Q8. GRAN (Universe: R’s biological child is at least 15 years old and R is at least 30)

Are you a grandparent- that is, do any of your (biological) children have biological or adopted children of their own who are currently living?

1. YES

2. NO

• GO TO SECTION FOUR

SECTION FOUR

SSA Parent/Orphan Question Items

INTRO

Universe – All ages – Not living with two biological parents.

(Identified by two parent lines and TYPPAR1,TYPPAR2)

Respondent: self or proxy (all children under 15 are reported by proxy)

Now I have some questions about (your/names’) biological parents. 

Q9. BIOMOM

This universe statement is identifying people (all ages) who do not currently live with a biological mother.

Is (your/name of person’s) biological mother still alive?

1. Yes, mother is still alive  ask Q10, then Q12

2. No, mother is deceased ask Q10, then Q11

3. DK or Refused  ask Q10, then Q12

Q10. BIOMOMDOB

This universe statement is identifying people (all ages) who do not currently live with a biological mother.

In what month and year was (your/name of person’s) biological mother born?

Record MM/YYYY  continue with Q12 if mother alive, continue with Q11 if mother deceased

Q11. BIOMOMDOD

This universe statement is identifying people (all ages) whose biological mother is not currently alive

Universe – If Q9. BIOMOM is ‘no’ (mother deceased).

In what month and year did (your/name of person’s) biological mother pass away?

Record MM/YYYY  continue with Q12

(If respondent does not know, ask respondent how old he/she was when his/her biological mother passed away?)

If respondent does not know, ask respondent how old he/she was when his/her biological mother passed away?

For everyone: How did you come up with your answer? (Pay attention to details)

Q12. BIODAD

This universe statement is identifying people (all ages) who do not currently live with a biological father.

Is (your/name of person’s) biological father still alive?

1. Yes, father is still alive  ask Q13, then follow skip instruction

2. No, father is deceased ask Q13, then Q14

3. DK or Refused  ask Q13, then follow skip instruction

Q13. BIODADDOB

This universe statement is identifying people (all ages) who do not currently live with a biological father.

In what month and year was (your/name of person’s) biological father born?

Record MM/YYYY  conclude if father alive, continue with Q14 if father deceased

Q14. BIODADDOD

This universe statement is identifying people (all ages) whose biological father is not currently alive

Universe – If Q9. BIODAD is ‘no’ (father deceased).

In what month and year did (your/name of person’s) biological father pass away?

Record MM/YYYY

(If respondent does not know, ask respondent how old he/she was when his/her biological father passed away?)

If respondent does not know, ask respondent how old he/she was when his/her biological father passed away?

For everyone: How did you come up with your answer? (Pay attention to details)

• GO BACK TO CHECKPOINT 1 FOR NEXT ADULT

• IF NO MORE ADULT, GO TO DEBRIEFING QUESTIONS ON P. 22

Debriefing:

That brings us to the end of our interview. Before you go, I have a few questions for you about the interview.

Do you think that the survey questions were sensitive? If yes, which ones? Why?

Do you think there are questions other people would find sensitive? If yes, which ones? Why?

If yes to sensitive questions: On a scale on 1-7, with 7 being the most comfortable and 1 being the least comfortable, how comfortable were you answering the sensitive questions?

On a scale on 1-7, with 7 being the most comfortable and 1 being the least comfortable, how comfortable were you answering the survey questions overall?

Overall, would you say the survey questions were easy or difficult to respond to? Which ones? Why?

Do you think there are questions other people would find difficult? Which ones? Why?

Do you have anything else you would like to tell us that you haven’t had a chance to mention yet?

Thank you for your participation (give $$).

Table 1 For Q2 to Q3

	Q2 CHDNAME	Q3 CHDDOB (mm/dd/yyyy)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Table 2 for Q6 to Q8.

	Q5. CHDCLUS Name of Children who share parent	Q6. OTHPARENT Parent Live in HH (Yes/No)	Q7. WHOBIOP Linenum of Other Parent
CHILD CLUSTER 1
CHILD CLUSTER 2
CHILD CLUSTER 3
CHILD CLUSTER 4
CHILD CLUSTER 5

FLASHCARDS:

CARD A

Relationship to Reference Person

1 – Spouse (husband or wife)

2 – Unmarried partner

3 – Child (biological, step, or adopted)

4 – Grandchild

5 – Parent (mother or father)

6 – Brother or sister

7 – Other relative of reference person (uncle, cousin, mother-inlaw,

father-in-law)

8 – Foster child

9 – Housemate or roommate

10 – Roomer/boarder

11 – Other nonrelative

CARD B

Origin

1 – Mexican

2 – Mexican-American

3 – Chicano

4 – Puerto Rican

5 – Cuban

6 – Cuban American

7 – Other Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino group

CARD C

Race

1 – White

2 – Black or African American

3 – American Indian or Alaska Native

4 – Asian

5 – Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander