Note to Reviewer - CPS SOGI

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Cognitive and Psychological Research

Note to Reviewer - CPS SOGI

OMB: 1220-0141

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August 17, 2016

NOTE TO THE

REVIEWER OF:

OMB CLEARANCE 1220-0141

“Cognitive and Psychological Research”

FROM:

Brandon Kopp & Jennifer Edgar

Research Psychologist

Office of Survey Methods Research

SUBJECT:

Submission of Materials for the Pretesting of SOGI Questions in the CPS

Please accept the enclosed materials for approval under the OMB clearance package 1220-0141 “Cognitive and Psychological Research.” In accordance with our agreement with OMB, we are submitting a brief description of the study.

The total estimated respondent burden hours for this study is 294 hours.

If there are any questions regarding this project, please contact Brandon Kopp at

202-691-7514.

Introduction and Purpose

There has been interest in collecting sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) information in the CPS to add analytic value to the labor force data already collected. Although research has been done on the wording and sensitivity of these questions, most of that work has been done in the context of health or demographic surveys. Additionally, respondents have always been asked to report this information for themselves. Since the CPS is both a labor force survey, as well as asks for a single respondent to report information for all household members, careful research must be done to ensure SOGI information can be collected reliably, accurately, and without any negative impacts on the existing CPS questions.

The purpose of this testing will be to determine initial feasibility of collecting sexual orientation and/or gender identity in the CPS. The end result of this research is expected to be a recommendation for next steps for the sexual orientation and gender identity questions, such as a field test or testing with additional subgroups. This research will not result in a recommendation that can be used to immediately implement the questions in the CPS.

2. Research Design

To accomplish this goal, individual cognitive interviews, paired cognitive interviews and focus groups will be conducted.

Individual Cognitive Interviews. Cognitive interviews provide an in-depth understanding of the participant’s thought processes and reactions to the questions. These interviews will be done one-on-one in the Office of Survey Methods Research (OSMR) laboratory at the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in the Center for Survey Measurement (CSM) laboratory at the Bureau of the Census, and at to be determined three metro areas, likely to be of Portland, OR; New Orleans, LA; and Nashville, TN. Interviews will be conducted by staff who are experienced in conducting these types of interviews. Participants will be asked survey questions from the Current Population Survey, with the SOGI questions included, to provide context. After being asked the CPS and SOGI questions, participants will be asked debriefing questions to better understand their responses and reactions to the questions, both when reporting for themselves as well as when reporting for other household members. The individual cognitive interview testing protocol is included in Appendix A.

Paired Cognitive Interviews. Similar to the individual cognitive interviews, we will use paired cognitive interviews to gain insight into participant’s responses and reactions to the questions. The goal of the paired interviews will be to collect SOGI information from two members of the same household to allow for some evaluation of the accuracy of the reports. The majority of the individual cognitive interviewing protocol will be used, with some questions to allow for more in-depth probing about each participant’s confidence in reporting for the other household member, as well as their comfort with reporting for that person and with that person reporting for them. The paired cognitive interview testing protocol is included in Appendix B.

Focus Groups. In addition to the cognitive interviews, focus groups will be used to learn more about the gender identity question and how transgender respondents will relate and react to the response options. This question has received less testing in the literature, and this exploratory step will add valuable information required to refine the question and response options. The transgender focus group protocol is included in Appendix C.

The findings from three testing designs will be evaluated qualitatively, and used to arrive at conclusions about the feasibility of adding these questions to the CPS. As this is pretesting, we expect that modifications may be made during the course of the study based on initial results. Although the goals of the testing, and overall design, will remain the same, findings from preliminary results may be used to improve the interview questions. Modifications are likely to range from slight changes to question wording to the order of the questions.

3. Participants

All testing will be held in five locations: The Census Bureau, the BLS, and three cities outside of the DC metro area. A contractor will be responsible for all non-DC area recruitment, and will follow the below process. For the DC recruitment, OSMR and CSM recruiters will follow the same process.

Individual Cognitive Interviews. One hundred and thirty four participants will be recruited for cognitive interviews using targeted advertisements in newspapers and online bulletin boards (see Appendix D). Participants will be screened such that, in each location:

All cases should have 2 or more household members, at least half should contain 3 or more household members
50% of the participants has one household member ages 15-25
25% of participants has at least one non-nuclear family member or non-family member.
33% of participants should be Hispanic, Asian or Other Race.
Approximately 50% of all respondents should live in an urban area and 50% should live in a rural areas surrounding the site
About half should be each female and male
Sexual orientation (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender) 33% of individual participants should have someone 15 or older in the household who identifies as LGBT. Should be equally distributed across household types and other demographic characteristics and should reflect diversity with sexual orientation and gender identity

The Recruitment Script is contained in Appendix E.

Paired Cognitive Interviews. Twelve pairs of participants will be recruited for cognitive interviews using the same targeted advertisements in newspapers and online bulletin boards as used for the individual interviews. Participants will be screened such that, in each location:

All cases should have 2 or more household members, at least half should contain 3 or more household members
50% of the participants has one household member ages 15-25
25% of participants has at least one non-nuclear family member or non-family member.
33% of participants should be Hispanic, Asian or Other Race.
Approximately 50% of all respondents should live in an urban area and 50% should live in a rural areas surrounding the site
About half should be each female and male
Sexual orientation (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender) 75% of participant pairs should have someone 15 or older in the household who identifies as LGBT. Should be equally distributed across household types and other demographic characteristics and should reflect diversity with sexual orientation and gender identity

The Recruitment Script is contained in Appendix E.

Focus Groups. Six to eight participants will be recruited for each of the four testing locations, using targeted advertisements in newspapers, listserves and online bulletin boards (see Appendix F). Participants will be screened so that all participants involved in the focus groups will have identified themselves as being transgender or currently identifying as a different sex than what they were born as. See Appendix G for the Recruitment Screeners.

4. Burden Hours

The maximum total burden hours for this study will be 294.

	# of Participants Screened	Minutes per participant for Screening	Total Screening Burden	Maximum number of Participants	Minutes per participant for data collection	Total Collection Burden	Total Burden (Screening + Collection)
Individual Cognitive Interviews	261	10	2610	87	60	5220	7830
Paired Cognitive Interviews	126	10	1260	42	60	2520	3780
Focus Groups	120	10	1200	40	120	4800	6000
					Total	17,610 Minutes
					Total	294 hours

5. Payment to Participants

Up to $8,160 will be spent on payments to participants.

Cognitive Testing. The 129 participants will each be paid $40 for their participation in testing for a total of $5,160.

Focus Groups. Each of the 40 focus group participants will be paid $75.00 for participating in the 2-hour study, for a total of $3,000.

6. Data Confidentiality

Participants will be informed as to the voluntary nature of the study. Participants will also be informed that the study will be used for internal purposes to improve the design of a national employment survey. Participants participating in cognitive interviews will be given a consent form to read and sign (see Appendix H). Information related to this study will not be released to the public in any way that would allow identification of individuals except as prescribed under the conditions of the Privacy Act Notice. Participants in focus groups are not given a pledge of confidentiality.

Appendix A	Individual Cognitive Interviewing Protocol
Appendix B	Paired Cognitive Interviewing Protocol
Appendix C	Focus Group Protocol
Appendix D	Interviewing Recruitment Ads
Appendix E	Cognitive Interviewing Screeners
Appendix F	Focus Group Recruitment Ads
Appendix G	Focus Group Screeners
Appendix H	Consent Form

Appendix A: Individual Cognitive Interviewing Protocol

Cognitive Testing of the 2016 CPS

SOGI questions

Round 1

Cognitive Interview Protocol Guide

DRAFT 8.12.16

PARTICIPANT ID #: _________________________ DATE: ____ / ____ / 2016

COGNITIVE INTERVIEWER NAME:

START TIME: ______: ______ AM / PM END TIME: ______: ______ AM / PM

SECTION I. INTERVIEW CONSENT

(Cognitive Interviewer: Read)

PLACE THE CONSENT FORM IN FRONT OF PARTICIPANT

A. Hello, I’m [NAME OF COGNITIVE INTERVIEWER]. I work for the

(Census Bureau/Bureau of Labor Statistics). Thanks for agreeing to help me today.

{(If applicable) Observers:

[Before we get started let me mention that there are some observers watching the interview in another room/ This is XXXX]. [They are/He is/She is] only watching to get an idea of how the questions in the survey we are going to talk about are working.}

Before we start, I would like you to read over the document in front of you. This document explains a little bit about this interview and provides information about your rights as a participant. It also asks for your permission to have this session audio recorded. The main reason we tape these interviews is so that we don't have to rely on notes or our memories later. This allows me to concentrate on what you're saying during the interview. What you say on the tape will be used only for research purposes and cannot be told to anybody else not working on this project as required by law.

PARTICIPANT READS AND SIGNS FORM

Please ask me any questions you have about this document. Once you have finished reading the document, please sign it.

B. IF PARTICIPANT PROVIDES CONSENT TO HAVE THE SESSION AUDIO-TAPED: I will now turn on the audio recorder.

TEST AUDIO RECORDER AND TURN IT ON AGAIN AFTER TEST

A. Introduction

(Cognitive Interviewer: Read/Paraphrase)

“Let me begin by telling you a little more about what we’ll be doing today. With your help, we will be testing some new questions that were developed for a national survey called the Current Population Survey, which is jointly conducted by the Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and is the primary source of labor force statistics for the United States, like employment and unemployment. I will first ask you some survey questions and you’ll answer the questions just like you would if you were doing it with an interviewer in a regular survey.

Our goal here is to get a better idea how well the new questions work with people such as yourself before we actually use them in the survey. So the purpose of our session today is to collect your thoughts and opinions on these new questions and materials. I just want to remind you that I'm only asking for your thoughts and opinions on these materials. There is no right or wrong answer. We are simply trying to make sure the question wording is clear and easy for most people to understand. Your feedback will be very useful for helping make sure these questions will make sense to other people.

Your participation in this interview and the review of the materials is very important because it will help the Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics with improving these questions.

Do you have any questions before we begin?”

SECTION II. COGNITIVE INTERVIEW

As we go through, feel free to share any reactions or comments you have about the questions. Especially let me know if you find anything confusing, surprising, difficult or you have other reactions.

Shape1

Q1-2. Ask for each member of the household as you build the roster.

Okay, let’s get started. I’ll ask the series of questions from the CPS, please answer for your household.

1. NAME Now I will ask you some questions about the people who live with you. What are the names of all persons living or staying with you? Start with the name of the person, or one of the persons, who owns or rents your home.

2. RES Is this [your/NAME’s] usual place of residence?

Shape2

Q3-5. Ask once for household.

3. MCHILD

I have listed . . . READ NAMES

Have I missed any babies or small children?

1 Yes (who is that? Add to roster)

2 No

4. MAWAY

Have I missed anyone who usually lives with you but is away now -traveling, at school, or in a hospital?

1 Yes (who is that? Add to roster)

2 No

5. MBOARDER

Have I missed any lodgers, boarders, or persons you employ who live with you?

1 Yes (who is that? Add to roster)

2. No

For Q 6 -7 complete both questions before moving to the next household member. Complete all household members before moving to sex questions.

6. DOB What is [your/NAME’s] date of birth?

7. AGE That means [you/they] are [AGE calculated from DOB] is that correct? (If 15 or over go to SEXB if under 15 go to SEXA)

For household members under 15 complete question 8 for household members 15 and over complete questions 9 and 10. Complete sex questions for all household members before moving to relationship question. Complete relationship question for all household members before moving to next question

8. SEXA What is [your/NAME’s] sex? Skip to 11 REL

9. SEXB

[Was your/To the best of your knowledge, was [NAME]’s] sex recorded as male or female at birth?

Male
Female
DK
REF

10. Gender [Do you/To the best of your knowledge, does [NAME]] describe [yourself/themselves] as male, female, or transgender?

Male
Female
Transgender
DK
REF

11. REL IF NOT the person on line 1 of the roster (card A): How [are/is] [you/NAME] related to [fill name of person on line 1 of the Household Roster]?

1. Opposite sex spouse (husband/wife)

2. Opposite sex unmarried partner

3. Same sex spouse (husband/wife)

4.Same sex unmarried partner

5. Child

6. Grandchild

7. Parent

8. Brother/ sister

9. Other relative (aunt, uncle, cousin, in law)

10. Foster child

11. Housemate/roommate

12. Roomer/boarder

13. Other nonrelative

14. DK

15. REF

99. self

Shape5

For Q12-16 complete questions 12-16 before moving to the next person. Complete the set of questions for everyone in the household before moving to education. Complete these questions only for respondents 15 and over.

12. MARRTL [Are/is] [You/NAME] Currently married, widowed, divorced, separated or never married?

Married Proceed to 18. WHOSPOUSE
Widowed
Divorced
Separated Skip to 19. PARTNER
Never married
DK
REF

13. WHOSPOUSE Who is [your/[NAME]’s] spouse? Skip to 21. IDENTITY

14. PARTNER [Do/Does] [You/NAME] have a boyfriend, girlfriend, or partner living in the household? Only for people with no spouse

Yes Proceed to 20. WHOPARTNER
No
DK Skip to 21. IDENTITY
REF

15. WHOPARTNER Who is [your/[NAME]’s] partner?

16. IDENTITY [Which/To the best of your knowledge, which] of the following best represents how [you think of yourself/[NAME] thinks of their self]?

Gay or Lesbian
Straight, that is not gay, lesbian, or bisexual
Bisexual
Something else
DK
REF

For Q17complete for everyone in the household before moving to military. Complete these questions only for respondents 15 and over.

17. EDUCATION What is the highest level of school [you/[NAME]] has completed or the highest degree [you/[NAME]] [have/has] received?

(CARD B)

1^st, 2^nd , 3^rd, or 4^th grade
5^th or 6^th grade
7^th or 8^th grade
9^th grade
10^th grade
11^th grade
12^th grade, no diploma
High school graduate-high school diploma or equivalent
Some college – no diploma
Associates degree- occupational / vocational program
Associates degree- academic program
Bachelors degree (BA, BS, AB)
Master’s degree (MS,MA, MBA, MEd, MEng,MSW)
Professional degree (MD,DDS,DMV,LLB, JD)
Doctorate degree (PhD, EdD)

For Q18-19 complete questions 18-19 before moving to the next person. Complete the set of questions for everyone in the household before moving to HISPA. Complete these questions only for respondents 15 and over.

18. MILITARY Did [You/NAME] ever serve on active duty in the U.S. Armed forces?

Yes Proceed to 24. INMILITARY
No
DK Skip to 26.HISPA
REF

19. INMILITARY [Are/is] [You/NAME] still in the Armed forces?

Yes
No
DK
REF

For Q20-22 complete questions 20-22 before moving to the next person. Complete the set of questions for everyone in the household before moving to RACEA

20. Hisp A [Are/is] [You/NAME] Spanish, Hispanic , or Latino?

Yes
No
DK
REF

21. RACEA I am going to read you a list of five race categories. Please choose one or more races that (you/NAME) (consider yourself/ himself/considers herself) to be: White; Black or African American; American Indian or Alaska Native; Asian; OR Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander. (CARD C)

1. White

2. Black or African American

3. American Indian or Alaska Native Skip to work intro.

4. Asian

5. Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

6. Other – DO NOT READ > Proceed to 28. RACEB

22. RACEB What is your race?

For Q23-44 complete questions 23-44 before moving to the next person. Complete the set of questions for everyone in the household before moving to disability intro Complete these questions only for respondents 15 and over.

Next, I am going to ask a few questions about work related activities LAST WEEK. By last week I mean the week beginning on Sunday, ____ and ending on Saturday, ___

23. BUSINESS Does anyone in this household have a business or farm?

1.Yes
2. No
3. Don't Know
4. Refused

24. WORK LAST WEEK, did [YOU/NAME] do ANY work for (either) pay (or profit)?

1.Yes skip to 32. LWWORK
2. No
3. Don't Know if 23. BUSINESS=1 proceed to 25.JOB
4. Refused if BUSINESS= 2 skip to 40. WFIND

25. JOB LAST WEEK, (in addition to the business,) did [you/name] have a job either full or part time? Include any job from which [you/name] were temporarily absent.

1.Yes skip to 27. ABSENT
2. No
3. Don't Know proceed to 26. LAYOFF
4. Refused

26. LAYOFF LAST WEEK, were you on layoff from a job?

1.Yes skip to 28. RETURN
2. No go to
3. Don't Know skip to 40. WFIND
4. Refused

Shape17 27. ABSENT What was the main reason [you/name] were absent from work LAST WEEK?

1. On Layoff proceed to 28. RETURN
2. Slack Work/business conditions
3. Waiting for a new job to begin
4. Own illness/injury/medical problems
5. Does not work in the business skip to 32. LWWORK
6. Other
7. Don't Know
8. Refused

28. RETURN Has your employer given you a date to return to work?

1.Yes
2. No
3. Don't Know
4. Refused

29. R6MONTH Have you been given any indication that you will be recalled to work within the next 6 months?

1.Yes
2. No
3. Don't Know
4. Refused

30. RECALLED Could you have returned to work LAST WEEK if you had been recalled?

1.Yes
2. No
3. Don't Know
4. Refused

31. WHY1 Why is that?

1.Own Temporary Illness
2. Going to School
3. Other (Specify)
4. Don't Know
5. Refused

IF 25. JOB=1 proceed to32. LWWORK IF 25. JOB=2 skip to WFIND

LWWORK LAST WEEK, did [you/name] have more than one job, including part-time, evening or weekend work?

Yes
No
Don’t Know
Refused

HOURSM How many hours per week do [you/name] USUALLY work at [your/his/her] (main) job?

By main job we mean the one at which you USUALLY work the most hours.

HOURSO How many hours per week do [you/name] USUALLY work at [your/his/her] other job(s)? If 32. LMWORK = 1

EMPTYPE Now I have a few questions about the (main) job -

(a) (at which you worked LAST WEEK. If 24. WORK=1)

(b) (from which you were absent LAST WEEK. IF 24. WORK=2)

Were [you/name] employed by government, by a private company, a non-profit organization, or [were you/was name] self-employed or working in a family business?

Government
Private company
Non-profit organization incl. tax exempt and charitable organizations
Self-employed
Working in family business

COMPANY What is the name of the (company)(non-profit organization) (business) for which [you/name] work?

INDUSTRY What kind of business or industry is this? READ IF NECESSARY What do they make or do where you work?

OCCUPATION What kind of work (do you/does NAME) do, that is, what is (your/NAME’s) occupation?

DUTIES What (are) your usual activities or duties at this job?

(For example: typing, keeping account books, filing, selling cars, operating printing press, laying brick)

Skip to to 44. DIS1

40. WFIND Have you been doing anything to find work during the last 4 weeks?

1.Yes proceed to 41. HOWFIND
2. No
3. Don't Know skip to STARTJOB
4. Refused

41. HOWFIND What are all of the things you have done to find work during the last 4 weeks?

Active:
1. Contacted Employer directly/interview
2. Contacted public Employment agency

3. Contated private employment agency
4. Contacted Friends or relatives
5. Contacted School/university employment center
6. Sent out resumes/filled out applications
7. Check union/professional registers
8. Place or answer ads
9. Other Active

Passive:

10. Looked at Ads

11. Attended job training programs/Courses

12. Other Passive

13. Nothing

14. Don’t Know

15. Refused

42. STARTJOB LAST WEEK, could you have started a job if one had been offered?

1.Yes skip to 44. DIS1
2. No proceed to 43. WHY2
3. Don't Know
4. Refused skip to DIS1

43. WHY2 Why is that?

1. Waiting for a new job to begin
2. Own Temporary Illness
3. Going to School
4. Other
5. Don't Know
6. Refused

Shape21

For Q44-55 complete before moving to Nativity

We want to learn about people who have physical, mental, or emotional conditions that cause serious difficulty with their daily activities.

44. DIS1 [Are you/ is[NAME]/ is anyone] Deaf or [do you/does [NAME]/does anyone] have serious difficulty hearing?

Yes Proceed to 45.DIS1WHO
No
DK Skip to 46. DIS2
REF

45. DIS1WHO Who is that? Anyone else?

46. DIS2 [Are you/ is[NAME]/ is anyone] blind or [do you/does [NAME]/does anyone ]have serious difficulty seeing, even when wearing glasses?

Yes Proceed to 47.DIS2WHO
No
DK Skip to 48. DIS3
REF

47. DIS2WHO Who is that? Anyone else?

48. DIS3 Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition, [do you/does [NAME]/ does anyone] have serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions?

Yes Proceed to 49.DIS3WHO
No
DK Skip to 50. DIS4
REF

49. DIS3WHO Who is that? Anyone else?

50. DIS4 [Do you/does [NAME]/ does anyone] have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs?

Yes Proceed to 51.DIS4WHO
No
DK Skip to 52. DIS5
REF

51. DIS4WHO Who is that? Anyone else?

52. DIS5 [Do you/does [NAME]/ does anyone] have difficulty dressing or bathing?

Yes Proceed to 53.DIS5WHO
No
DK Skip to 54. DIS6
REF

53. DIS5WHO Who is that? Anyone else?

54. DIS6 Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition, [Do you/does [NAME]/ does anyone] have difficulty doing errands alone such as visiting a doctor's office or shopping?

Yes Proceed to 55.DIS6WHO
No
DK Skip to 56 NATIVITYA
REF

55. DIS6WHO Who is that? Anyone else?

For Q56-60 complete questions 56-60 before moving to the next person. Complete the set of questions for everyone in the household before moving to Income

56. NATIVITYA In what Country [were/was] [you/[NAME]] born?

57. NATIVITYB In what Country was [your/[NAME’s]] mother born?

58. NATIVITYC In what Country was [your/[NAME’s]] father born?

If person was born in the U.S., skip to 61; any other answer, proceed to 59.

59. CITIZEN [ARE/Is] [you/[NAME]] a citizen of the United States?

1.Yes
2. No
3. Don't Know
4. Refused

60. YEARUS In what year did [You/[NAME]] come to live in the United States?

61. Income Which category represents [your/name of reference person/the total combined income] [total combined income during the past 12 months/of all members of [your/this] FAMILY during the past 12 months]?

This includes money from jobs, net income from business, farm or rent, pensions, dividends, interest, social security payments and any other money income received (by members of this FAMILY who are 15 years of age or older. CARD D)

Less that $5,000
5,000 to 7,499
7,500 to 9,999
10,000 to 12,499
12,500 to 14,999
15,000 to 19,999
20,000 to 24,999
25,000 to 29,999
30,000 to 34,999
35,000 to 39,999
40,000 to 49,999
50,000 to 59,999
60,000 to 74,999
75,000 to 99,999
100,000 to 149,999
$150,000 or over

After the interview:

SECTION III. DEBRIEFING QUESTIONS

Now, I am going to ask you some questions about your answers and about the questions themselves. I am really interested in how these questions work for you, so there are no right or wrong answers.

Overall, what did you think of the interview?
Was the interview easy or difficult?
What topics did we cover in this interview? What other topics were covered?
Did any of the questions stand out for any reason? Which ones? Can you tell me why (question) stood out to you?
Did any of the questions bother you? Which ones? Can you tell me why (question) bothered you?

In the survey we’re looking at, we ask one person to answer questions for everyone in the household. Most of the questions are only for household members 15 and older, since it doesn’t make sense to ask about employment for younger children. For the questions we’ll be focusing on today, we’re only asking about people in your house who are 15 or over.

I’d like to talk about a few particular items from the survey. The first one I’d like to talk about asked “Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition, does anyone have serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions?

In your own words, what is this question asking?
What was your overall reaction to this question?
How did you go about answering this question for yourself?
- What about for the other people in your household?
Did you have any difficulty answering this question? Probe if necessary, for yourself or someone else in your household?
How certain are you about your responses for other people in the household?
This survey is often conducted in people’s homes. If other members of your household were in the room, would you be comfortable answering this question? For yourself? For others?
If someone else in the household were answering this question about you how certain are you that they could answer the way you did?
- Would they be able to accurately answer this type of question about you?
- Would they be able to accurately answer this type of question about everyone in the house?
Do you think that there are particular types of government surveys that should be asking this question? What types of surveys?
- What about employment surveys, what would your reaction be if this question was asked on a government survey about employment?

Moving to another question. This one asked “Was your sex recorded as male or female at birth?”

Do you remember that question?
In your own words what is this question asking?
What was your reaction to this question?
How did you go about answering this question for yourself?
- What about for the other people in your household?
Did you have any difficulty answering this question for yourself or anyone else in your household?
How certain are you about your responses for other people in the household?
If other members of your household were in the room, would you be comfortable answering this question? For yourself? For others?
If someone else in the household were answering this question about you, how certain are you that they would give the answer you did? [specify someone over 15 if needed]
- Would they be able to accurately answer this type of question about you?
- Would they be able to accurately answer this type of question about everyone in the house?
Do you think that there are particular types of government surveys that should be asking this question? What types of surveys?
- What about employment surveys, what would your reaction be if this question was asked on a government survey about employment?

Moving to another question I’d like to get your feedback on. It asked “Do you describe yourself as male, female or transgender?”

In your own words, what is this question asking?
What was your overall reaction to this question?
How did you go about answering this question for yourself?
- What about for the other people in your household?
Did you have any difficulty answering this question? Probe if necessary, for yourself or someone else in your household?
What does transgender mean to you?
How certain are you about your responses for other people in the household?
If other members of your household were in the room, would you be comfortable answering this question? For yourself? For others?
If someone else in the household were answering this question about you, how certain are you that they could answer the way you did?
- Would they be able to accurately answer this type of question about you?
- Would they be able to accurately answer this type of question about everyone in the house?
Do you think that there are particular types of government surveys that should be asking this question? What types of surveys?
- What about employment surveys, what would your reaction be if this question was asked on a government survey about employment?

Moving to another question. This one asked Which category represents the total combined income of all members of your FAMILY during the past 12 months?

In your own words, what is this question asking?
What was your overall reaction to this question?
How did you go about calculating the answer to this question?
Did you have any difficulty answering this question?
How certain are you about your inclusion of income information for other members of your family?
If other members of your household were in the room, would you be comfortable answering this question?
If someone else in the household were answering this question about you how certain are you that they could answer the way you did?
- Would they be able to accurately answer this type of question about you?
- Would they be able to accurately answer this type of question about everyone in the house?
Do you think that there are particular types of government surveys that should be asking this question? What types of surveys?
- What about employment surveys, what would your reaction be if this question was asked on a government survey about employment?

We have another question we’d like your feedback on. It asks “which of the following best represents how you think of yourself?”

Give them a copy of the identity question (card H)

In your own words, what is this question asking?
What was your overall reaction to this question?
How did you go about answering this question for yourself?
- What about for the other people in your household?
Did you have any difficulty answering this question for yourself or anyone else in your household?
How certain are you about your responses for other people in the household?
Do the answer choices make sense to you?
Are there any additional answer choices that should be included?
If other members of your household were in the room, would you be comfortable answering this question? For yourself? For others?
If someone else in the household were answering this question about you how certain are you that they could answer the way you did?
- Would they be able to accurately answer this type of question about you?
- Would they be able to accurately answer this type of question about everyone in the house?
Do you think that there are particular types of government surveys that should be asking this question? What types of surveys?
- What about employment surveys, what would your reaction be if this question was asked on a government survey about employment?

One last question I want to ask about, which asked LAST WEEK, did [you/name] have more than one job, including part-time, evening or weekend work?

In your own words, what is this question asking?
How did you go about answering this question for yourself?
- What about for the other people in your household?
Did you have any difficulty answering this question for yourself or anyone else in your household?
How certain are you about your responses for other people in the household?

If other members of your household were in the room, would you be comfortable answering this question? For yourself? For others?
If someone else in the household were answering this question about you how certain are you that they could answer the way you did?
- Would they be able to accurately answer this type of question about you?
- Would they be able to accurately answer this type of question about everyone in the house?
Do you think that there are particular types of government surveys that should be asking this question? What types of surveys? What about employment surveys?

Card Sort

Now we are going to switch to a different task. I am going to give you a stack of cards with survey questions on them. I would like you to sort them into two piles. Place the questions that you found difficult to answer about yourself in one pile and questions you did not find difficult to answer about yourself in another pile.

AFTER TASK IS COMPLETE LAY OUT CARDS SO THEY CAN BE SEEN – ONE LINE FOR “DIFFICULT” QUESTIONS AND ANOTHER FOR “NOT DIFFICULT”

AFTER TASK IS COMPLETE

How did you decide what to put in the difficult pile?
Please describe the questions in the ‘difficult’ pile
What do they have in common?
Other than difficult, what words would you use to describe this pile?
Please describe the questions in the ‘not difficult’ pile
Do you think other people in your household would sort them the same way? What would they do differently?
Would you have sorted them differently if we had asked about how difficult’ they were to answer about someone else in the household instead of you? How would it have been different?

Take the cards with questions you found difficult and place them in order from top to bottom with the top card being the most difficult and the bottom card being the least difficult.

So you think this is the most difficult question?
What did you find most difficult about XXX [the top card]?
- What about it makes it difficult?
Is the question at the bottom of the pile more difficult than the questions in the not difficult pile?

Let’s look at your piles again.

Do you think other people in your household would sort them the same way? What would they do differently?
Thinking about answering these questions for the other people in your household instead of answering for yourself, do you want to move any of the cards between the piles? Feel free to do so
What makes that question/those questions more/less difficult to answer about someone else instead of yourself?

TAKE BACK CARDS AND SHUFFLE THEM

I would now like you to sort the cards into two piles again. This time, place the questions that you found sensitive when answering about yourself in one pile and questions you did not find sensitive to answer in another pile.

AFTER TASK IS COMPLETE LAY OUT CARDS SO THEY CAN BE SEEN – ONE LINE FOR “SENSITIVE” QUESTIONS AND ANOTHER FOR “NOT SENSITIVE”

How did you decide what to put in the sensitive pile?
Please describe the questions in the ‘sensitive’
Other than sensitive, what words would you use to describe this pile?
Please describe the questions in the ‘not sensitive’ pile
What do they have in common?
Do you think other people in your household would sort them the same way? What would they do differently?
Would you have sorted them differently if we had asked about how sensitive they were to answer about someone else in the household instead of you? How would it have been different?

Take the cards with questions you found difficult and place them in order from top to bottom with the top card being the most difficult and the bottom card being the least sensitive.

So you think this is the most sensitive question?
What about it makes it sensitive?
Is the question at the bottom of the pile more sensitive than the questions in the not sensitive pile?

Let’s look at your piles again.

Do you think other people in your household would sort them the same way? What would they do differently?
Thinking about answering these questions for the other people in your household instead of answering for yourself, do you want to move any of the cards between the piles? Feel free to do so
What makes that question/those questions more/less sensitive about someone else instead of yourself?

Question Wording

As I said in the beginning, we’re looking at question wording. For one of the questions on the survey, we have another way we could ask it. Here is a copy of the wording you were asked and a different wording option, it says “Was your sex recorded as male or female on your birth certificate?”

Give them a copy of the original and alternate questions (card F and G)

What’s the difference between these two versions?
What is your overall reaction to this version?
Do you think the second version of the question is easier or harder to understand? How so?
Which version of the question do you prefer? Can you tell me what about it you like better?

Again, we have another question with another version of the wording. It says “Do you describe yourself as male, female, transgender or something else?”

Give them the alternate gender question (card H and I)

What’s the difference between these two versions?
In your opinion, is this question the same as or different than the original?
What do you think the ‘something else’ is referring to?
Do you think the second version of the question is easier or harder to understand? How so?
Which version of the question do you prefer? Can you tell me what about it you like better?
If reported difficulty with first version: would this version make the question easier to answer than the other?
If reported discomfort with first version: How would you feel answering this version of the question with other household members present?

Closing Comments

As you might have guessed, we are thinking about asking sexual orientation and gender identity in Current Population Survey, a government survey about employment.

What do you think about that idea?
Why do you think the government is interested in sexual orientation and gender identity in a survey about employment?
If you were asked to provide information about your sexual orientation and gender identity in a government survey about employment, how would you react?
- How might others in your household react?
If you were asked to provide information about the sexual orientation and gender identity of everyone else in your household over 15, how would you react?
- How might others in your household react?
Is there anything that we could do differently to make it as easy and comfortable as possible for people to provide the information?
Do you have anything else you would like to tell us about the collection of information about sexual orientation and gender identity?

Closing

That’s all the questions I have for you, thanks for your feedback! Before you go,

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

I want to thank you very much for your participation. I will now give you $40 and I will ask you to sign a receipt form verifying that you received the money.

TURN OFF THE RECORDER. HAND THE CASH INCENTIVE AND VOUCHER TO THE PARTICIPANT.

SECTION IV. flashcards, question cards and, card sorting questions

Answer category cards

Card A

RELATIONSHIP

(42) Opposite-sex Spouse (Husband/Wife)

(43) Opposite-sex Unmarried partner

(44) Same-sex Spouse (Husband/Wife)

(45) Same-sex Unmarried partner

(46) Child

(47) Grandchild

(48) Parent (Mother/Father)

(49) Brother/Sister

(50) Other relative (Aunt, Cousin, Nephew, Mother-in-law, etc.)

(51) Foster child

(52) Housemate/Roommate

(53) Roomer/Boarder

(54) Other nonrelative

Card B

Education

(31) Less than 1st grade

(32) 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th grade

(33) 5th or 6th grade

(34) 7th or 8th grade

(35) 9th grade

(36) 10th grade

(37) 11th grade

(38) 12th grade NO DIPLOMA

(39) HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE – high school DIPLOMA or the equivalent (For example: GED)

(40) Some college but no degree

(41) Associate degree in college – Occupational/vocational program

(42) Associate degree in college – Academic program

(43) Bachelor’s degree (For example: BA, AB, BS)

(44) Master’s degree (For example: MA, MS, MEng, MEd, MSW, MBA)

(45) Professional School Degree (For example: MD, DDS, DVM, LLB, JD)

(46) Doctorate degree (For example: PhD, EdD)

Card C

RACE

CHOOSE ONE OR MORE

1. White

2. Black or African American

3. American Indian or Alaska Native

4. Asian

5. Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

Card D

INCOME

Which category on this card represents the total combined income of all members of this FAMILY during the past 12 months? This includes money from jobs, net income from business, farm or rent, pensions, dividends, interest, social security payments and any other money income received by members of this FAMILY who are 15 years of age or older.

(1) Less than $ 5,000 (9) $30,000 to $34,999

(2) $ 5,000 to $ 7,499 (10) $35,000 to $39,999

(3) $ 7,500 to $ 9,999 (11) $40,000 to $49,999

(4) $10,000 to $12,499 (12) $50,000 to $59,999

(5) $12,500 to $14,999 (13) $60,000 to $74,999

(6) $15,000 to $19,999 (14) $75,000 to $99,999

(7) $20,000 to $24,999 (15) $100,000 to $149,999

(8) $25,000 to $29,999 (16) $150,000 or more

Question alternate text

Card E

Which of the following best represents how you think of yourself?

Gay or Lesbian
Straight, that is not gay, lesbian, or bisexual
Bisexual
Something else

Card F

Was your sex recorded as male or female at birth?

Male
Female

Was [NAME]’s sex recorded as male or female at birth?

Male
Female

Card G

Was your sex recorded as male or female on your birth certificate?

Male
Female

Was [NAME]’s sex recorded as male or female on their birth certificate?

Male
Female

Card H

Do you describe yourself as male, female, or transgender?

Male
Female
Transgender

Does [NAME] describe themselves as male, female, or transgender?

Male
Female
Transgender

Card I

Do you describe yourself as male, female, transgender or something else?

Male
Female
Transgender
Something else

Does [Name] describe themselves as male, female, transgender or something else?

Male
Female
Transgender
Something else

Card Sort Questions (will be shuffled to appear in random order- numbered here to make them easy to read)

1. What is your date of birth?

2. Was your sex recorded as male or female at birth?

3. Do you describe yourself as male, female, or transgender?

4. Are You Currently married, widowed, divorced, separated or never married?

5. Do You have a boyfriend, girlfriend, or partner living in the household?

6. Which of the following best represents how you think of yourself?

Gay or lesbian

Straight, that is not gay, lesbian or bisexual

Bisexual

Something else

7. Did You ever serve on active duty in the U.S. Armed forces?

8. What is the highest level of school you have completed or the highest degree you have received?

9. Are you Spanish, Hispanic , or Latino?

10. I am going to read you a list of five race categories. Please choose one or more races that you consider yourself to be: White; Black or African American; American Indian or Alaska Native; Asian; OR Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander.

11. LAST WEEK, did YOU do ANY work for either pay or profit?

12. Is anyone Deaf or does anyone have serious difficulty hearing?

13. Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition, does anyone have serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions?

14. Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition, does anyone have difficulty doing errands alone such as visiting a doctor's office or shopping?

15. In what Country were you born?

16. In what Country was your mother born?

17. In what Country was your father born?

18. What is the name of the (company)(non-profit organization) (business) for which you work?

19. Which category represents the total combined income of all members of your FAMILY during the past 12 months? This includes money from jobs, net income from business, farm or rent, pensions, dividends, interest, social security payments and any other money income received (by members of this FAMILY who are 15 years of age or older.)

Appendix B: Paired Cognitive Interviewing Protocol

Cognitive Interview: Individual Interviews Protocol

PARTICIPANT ID #: _________________________ DATE: ____ / ____ / 2016

COGNITIVE INTERVIEWER NAME:

START TIME: ______: ______ AM / PM END TIME: ______: ______ AM / PM

SECTION I. INTERVIEW CONSENT

(Cognitive Interviewer: Read)

PLACE THE CONSENT FORM IN FRONT OF PARTICIPANT

A. Hello, I’m [NAME OF COGNITIVE INTERVIEWER]. I work for the

(Census Bureau/Bureau of Labor Statistics). Thanks for agreeing to help me today.

{(If applicable) Observers:

PARTICIPANT READS AND SIGNS FORM

Please ask me any questions you have about this document. Once you have finished reading the document, please sign it.

B. IF PARTICIPANT PROVIDES CONSENT TO HAVE THE SESSION AUDIO-TAPED: I will now turn on the audio recorder.

TEST AUDIO RECORDER AND TURN IT ON AGAIN AFTER TEST

A. Introduction

(Cognitive Interviewer: Read/Paraphrase)

Your participation in this interview and the review of the materials is very important because it will help the Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics with improving these questions.

Do you have any questions before we begin?”

SECTION II. COGNITIVE INTERVIEW

As we go through, feel free to share any reactions or comments you have about the questions. Especially let me know if you find anything confusing, surprising, difficult or you have other reactions.

Shape29

Q1-2. Ask for each member of the household as you build the roster.

2. RES Is this [your/NAME’s] usual place of residence?

Shape30

Q3-5. Ask once for household.

3. MCHILD I have listed . . . READ NAMES

Have I missed any babies or small children?

1 Yes (who is that? Add to roster)

2 No

4. MAWAY

Have I missed anyone who usually lives with you but is away now -traveling, at school, or in a hospital?

1 Yes (who is that? Add to roster)

2 No

5. MBOARDER

Have I missed any lodgers, boarders, or persons you employ who live with you?

1 Yes (who is that? Add to roster)

2. No

For Q 6 -7 complete both questions before moving to the next household member. Complete all household members before moving to sex questions.

6. DOB What is [your/NAME’s] date of birth?

7. AGE That means [you/they] are [AGE calculated from DOB] is that correct? (If 15 or over go to SEXB if under 15 go to SEXA)

8. SEXA What is [your/NAME’s] sex? Skip to 11 REL

9. SEXB [Was your/To the best of your knowledge, was [NAME]’s] sex recorded as male or female at birth?

Male
Female
DK
REF

10. Gender [Do you/To the best of your knowledge, does [NAME]] describe [yourself/themselves] as male, female, or transgender?

Male
Female
Transgender
DK
REF

11. REL IF NOT the person on line 1 of the roster (card A): How [are/is] [you/NAME] related to [fill name of person on line 1 of the Household Roster]?

1. Opposite sex spouse (husband/wife)

2. Opposite sex unmarried partner

3. Same sex spouse (husband/wife)

4.Same sex unmarried partner

5. Child

6. Grandchild

7. Parent

8. Brother/ sister

9. Other relative (aunt, uncle, cousin, in law)

10. Foster child

11. Housemate/roommate

12. Roomer/boarder

13. Other nonrelative

14. DK

15. REF

99. self

Shape33

12. MARRTL [Are/is] [You/NAME] Currently married, widowed, divorced, separated or never married?

Married Proceed to 18. WHOSPOUSE
Widowed
Divorced
Separated Skip to 19. PARTNER
Never married
DK
REF

13. WHOSPOUSE Who is [your/[NAME]’s] spouse? Skip to 21. IDENTITY

14. PARTNER [Do/Does] [You/NAME] have a boyfriend, girlfriend, or partner living in the household? Only for people with no spouse

Yes Proceed to 20. WHOPARTNER
No
DK Skip to 21. IDENTITY
REF

15. WHOPARTNER Who is [your/[NAME]’s] partner?

16. IDENTITY [Which/To the best of your knowledge, which] of the following best represents how [you think of yourself/[NAME] thinks of their self]?

Gay or Lesbian
Straight, that is not gay, lesbian, or bisexual
Bisexual
Something else
DK
REF

For Q17complete for everyone in the household before moving to military. Complete these questions only for respondents 15 and over.

17. EDUCATION What is the highest level of school [you/[NAME]] has completed or the highest degree [you/[NAME]] [have/has] received?

(CARD B)

1^st, 2^nd , 3^rd, or 4^th grade
5^th or 6^th grade
7^th or 8^th grade
9^th grade
10^th grade
11^th grade
12^th grade, no diploma
High school graduate-high school diploma or equivalent
Some college – no diploma
Associates degree- occupational / vocational program
Associates degree- academic program
Bachelors degree (BA, BS, AB)
Master’s degree (MS,MA, MBA, MEd, MEng,MSW)
Professional degree (MD,DDS,DMV,LLB, JD)
Doctorate degree (PhD, EdD)

18. MILITARY Did [You/NAME] ever serve on active duty in the U.S. Armed forces?

Yes Proceed to 24. INMILITARY
No
DK Skip to 26.HISPA
REF

19. INMILITARY [Are/is] [You/NAME] still in the Armed forces?

Yes
No
DK
REF

For Q20-22 complete questions 20-22 before moving to the next person. Complete the set of questions for everyone in the household before moving to RACEA

20. Hisp A [Are/is] [You/NAME] Spanish, Hispanic , or Latino?

Yes
No
DK
REF

1. White

2. Black or African American

3. American Indian or Alaska Native Skip to work intro.

4. Asian

5. Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

6. Other – DO NOT READ > Proceed to 28. RACEB

22. RACEB What is your race?

Next, I am going to ask a few questions about work related activities LAST WEEK. By last week I mean the week beginning on Sunday, ____ and ending on Saturday, ___

23. BUSINESS Does anyone in this household have a business or farm?

1.Yes
2. No
3. Don't Know
4. Refused

24. WORK LAST WEEK, did [YOU/NAME] do ANY work for (either) pay (or profit)?

1.Yes skip to 32. LWWORK
2. No
3. Don't Know if 23. BUSINESS=1 proceed to 25.JOB
4. Refused if BUSINESS= 2 skip to 40. WFIND

25. JOB LAST WEEK, (in addition to the business,) did [you/name] have a job either full or part time? Include any job from which [you/name] were temporarily absent.

1.Yes skip to 27. ABSENT
2. No
3. Don't Know proceed to 26. LAYOFF
4. Refused

26. LAYOFF LAST WEEK, were you on layoff from a job?

1.Yes skip to 28. RETURN
2. No go to
3. Don't Know skip to 40. WFIND
4. Refused

Shape45 27. ABSENT What was the main reason [you/name] were absent from work LAST WEEK?

28. RETURN Has your employer given you a date to return to work?

1.Yes
2. No
3. Don't Know
4. Refused

29. R6MONTH Have you been given any indication that you will be recalled to work within the next 6 months?

1.Yes
2. No
3. Don't Know
4. Refused

30. RECALLED Could you have returned to work LAST WEEK if you had been recalled?

1.Yes
2. No
3. Don't Know
4. Refused

31. WHY1 Why is that?

1.Own Temporary Illness
2. Going to School
3. Other (Specify)
4. Don't Know
5. Refused

IF 25. JOB=1 proceed to32. LWWORK IF 25. JOB=2 skip to WFIND

LWWORK LAST WEEK, did [you/name] have more than one job, including part-time, evening or weekend work?

Yes
No
Don’t Know
Refused

HOURSM How many hours per week do [you/name] USUALLY work at [your/his/her] (main) job?

By main job we mean the one at which you USUALLY work the most hours.

HOURSO How many hours per week do [you/name] USUALLY work at [your/his/her] other job(s)? If 32. LWWORK = 1

EMPTYPE Now I have a few questions about the (main) job -

(a) (at which you worked LAST WEEK. If 24. WORK=1)

(b) (from which you were absent LAST WEEK. IF 24. WORK=2)

Were [you/name] employed by government, by a private company, a non-profit organization, or [were you/was name] self-employed or working in a family business?

Government
Private company
Non-profit organization incl. tax exempt and charitable organizations
Self-employed
Working in family business

COMPANY What is the name of the (company)(non-profit organization) (business) for which [you/name] work?

INDUSTRY What kind of business or industry is this? READ IF NECESSARY What do they make or do where you work?

OCCUPATION What kind of work (do you/does NAME) do, that is, what is (your/NAME’s) occupation?

DUTIES What (are) your usual activities or duties at this job?

(For example: typing, keeping account books, filing, selling cars, operating printing press, laying brick)

Skip to to 44. DIS1

40. WFIND Have you been doing anything to find work during the last 4 weeks?

1.Yes proceed to 41. HOWFIND
2. No
3. Don't Know skip to STARTJOB
4. Refused

41. HOWFIND What are all of the things you have done to find work during the last 4 weeks?

Active:
1. Contacted Employer directly/interview
2. Contacted public Employment agency

Passive:

10. Looked at Ads

11. Attended job training programs/Courses

12. Other Passive

13. Nothing

14. Don’t Know

15. Refused

42. STARTJOB LAST WEEK, could you have started a job if one had been offered?

1.Yes skip to 44. DIS1
2. No proceed to 43. WHY2
3. Don't Know
4. Refused skip to DIS1

43. WHY2 Why is that?

1. Waiting for a new job to begin
2. Own Temporary Illness
3. Going to School
4. Other
5. Don't Know
6. Refused

Shape49

For Q44-55 complete before moving to Nativity

We want to learn about people who have physical, mental, or emotional conditions that cause serious difficulty with their daily activities.

44. DIS1 [Are you/ is[NAME]/ is anyone] Deaf or [do you/does [NAME]/does anyone] have serious difficulty hearing?

Yes Proceed to 45.DIS1WHO
No
DK Skip to 46. DIS2
REF

45. DIS1WHO Who is that? Anyone else?

46. DIS2 [Are you/ is[NAME]/ is anyone] blind or [do you/does [NAME]/does anyone ]have serious difficulty seeing, even when wearing glasses?

Yes Proceed to 47.DIS2WHO
No
DK Skip to 48. DIS3
REF

47. DIS2WHO Who is that? Anyone else?

48. DIS3 Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition, [do you/does [NAME]/ does anyone] have serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions?

Yes Proceed to 49.DIS3WHO
No
DK Skip to 50. DIS4
REF

49. DIS3WHO Who is that? Anyone else?

50. DIS4 [Do you/does [NAME]/ does anyone] have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs?

Yes Proceed to 51.DIS4WHO
No
DK Skip to 52. DIS5
REF

51. DIS4WHO Who is that? Anyone else?

52. DIS5 [Do you/does [NAME]/ does anyone] have difficulty dressing or bathing?

Yes Proceed to 53.DIS5WHO
No
DK Skip to 54. DIS6
REF

53. DIS5WHO Who is that? Anyone else?

54. DIS6 Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition, [Do you/does [NAME]/ does anyone] have difficulty doing errands alone such as visiting a doctor's office or shopping?

Yes Proceed to 55.DIS6WHO
No
DK Skip to 56 NATIVITYA
REF

55. DIS6WHO Who is that? Anyone else?

For Q56-60 complete questions 56-60 before moving to the next person. Complete the set of questions for everyone in the household before moving to Income

56. NATIVITYA In what Country [were/was] [you/[NAME]] born?

57. NATIVITYB In what Country was [your/[NAME’s]] mother born?

58. NATIVITYC In what Country was [your/[NAME’s]] father born?

If person was born in the U.S., skip to 61; any other answer, proceed to 59.

59. CITIZEN [ARE/Is] [you/[NAME]] a citizen of the United States?

1.Yes
2. No
3. Don't Know
4. Refused

60. YEARUS In what year did [You/[NAME]] come to live in the United States?

Less that $5,000
5,000 to 7,499
7,500 to 9,999
10,000 to 12,499
12,500 to 14,999
15,000 to 19,999
20,000 to 24,999
25,000 to 29,999
30,000 to 34,999
35,000 to 39,999
40,000 to 49,999
50,000 to 59,999
60,000 to 74,999
75,000 to 99,999
100,000 to 149,999
$150,000 or over

After the interview:

SECTION III. DEBRIEFING QUESTIONS

Overall, what did you think of the interview?
Was the interview easy or difficult?
What topics did we cover in this interview? What other topics were covered?
Did any of the questions stand out for any reason? Which ones? Can you tell me why (question) stood out to you?
Did any of the questions bother you? Which ones? Can you tell me why (question) bothered you?

In your own words, what is this question asking?
What was your overall reaction to this question?
How did you go about answering this question for yourself?
- What about for the other people in your household?
Did you have any difficulty answering this question? Probe if necessary, for yourself or someone else in your household?
This survey is often conducted in people’s homes. If other members of your household were in the room, would you be comfortable answering this question? For yourself? For others?
Do you think that there are particular types of government surveys that should be asking this question? What types of surveys?
- What about employment surveys, what would your reaction be if this question was asked on a government survey about employment?

Moving to another question. This one asked “Was your sex recorded as male or female at birth?”

In your own words, what is this question asking?
What was your overall reaction to this question?
How did you go about answering this question for yourself?
- What about for the other people in your household?
Did you have any difficulty answering this question? Probe if necessary, for yourself or someone else in your household?
If other members of your household were in the room, would you be comfortable answering this question? For yourself? For others?
Do you think that there are particular types of government surveys that should be asking this question? What types of surveys?
- What about employment surveys, what would your reaction be if this question was asked on a government survey about employment?

Moving to another question I’d like to get your feedback on. It asked “Do you describe yourself as male, female or transgender?”

In your own words, what is this question asking?
What was your overall reaction to this question?
How did you go about answering this question for yourself?
- What about for the other people in your household?
Did you have any difficulty answering this question? Probe if necessary, for yourself or someone else in your household?
If other members of your household were in the room, would you be comfortable answering this question? For yourself? For others?
Do you think that there are particular types of government surveys that should be asking this question? What types of surveys?
- What about employment surveys, what would your reaction be if this question was asked on a government survey about employment?

Moving to another question. This one asked Which category represents the total combined income of all members of your FAMILY during the past 12 months?

In your own words, what is this question asking?
What was your overall reaction to this question?
How did you go about calculating the answer to this question?
Did you have any difficulty answering this question?
How certain are you about your inclusion of income information for other members of your family?
If other members of your household were in the room, would you be comfortable answering this question?
Do you think that there are particular types of government surveys that should be asking this question? What types of surveys?
- What about employment surveys, what would your reaction be if this question was asked on a government survey about employment?

We have another question we’d like your feedback on. It asks “which of the following best represents how you think of yourself?”

Give them a copy of the identity question (card H)

In your own words, what is this question asking?
What was your overall reaction to this question?
How did you go about answering this question for yourself?
- What about for the other people in your household?
Did you have any difficulty answering this question? Probe if necessary, for yourself or someone else in your household?
If other members of your household were in the room, would you be comfortable answering this question? For yourself? For others?
Do you think that there are particular types of government surveys that should be asking this question? What types of surveys?
- What about employment surveys, what would your reaction be if this question was asked on a government survey about employment?

One last question I want to ask about, which asked LAST WEEK, did [you/name] have more than one job, including part-time, evening or weekend work?

In your own words, what is this question asking?
How did you go about answering this question for yourself?
- What about for the other people in your household?
Did you have any difficulty answering this question for yourself or anyone else in your household?
If other members of your household were in the room, would you be comfortable answering this question? For yourself? For others?
Do you think that there are particular types of government surveys that should be asking this question? What types of surveys? What about employment surveys?

As you know, we are talking to XX, who will be answering the same set of questions about him/herself as well as you and the other members of your household.

How do you feel about them answering these questions about you?
How accurate do you think his/her answers about you will be?
- How accurate do you think his/her answers about other household members will be?
- Are there any questions that you think they’re more likely to get wrong than others?
How accurate do you think your answers about him/her are?
- How accurate do you think your answers about other household members will be?
- Are there any questions that you think you’re more likely to get wrong than others?
- Are there any household members that you’re less certain about than others for any of these topics? Who? Which topic?
Do you have any concerns about their answering on your behalf?
- Are there any specific questions that you have concerns about?
- Are there any specific household members you have concerns about XX answering questions about?
Do you have any concerns answering on their behalf?
- How accurate do you think your answers about them are?
- Are there any specific questions that you have concerns about?

Card Sort

AFTER TASK IS COMPLETE LAY OUT CARDS SO THEY CAN BE SEEN – ONE LINE FOR “DIFFICULT” QUESTIONS AND ANOTHER FOR “NOT DIFFICULT”

AFTER TASK IS COMPLETE

How did you decide what to put in the difficult pile?
Please describe the questions in the ‘difficult’ pile
What do they have in common?
Other than difficult, what words would you use to describe this pile?
Please describe the questions in the ‘not difficult’ pile
Do you think other people in your household would sort them the same way? What would they do differently?
Would you have sorted them differently if we had asked about how difficult’ they were to answer about someone else in the household instead of you? How would it have been different?

Take the cards with questions you found difficult and place them in order from top to bottom with the top card being the most difficult and the bottom card being the least difficult.

So you think this is the most difficult question?
What did you find most difficult about XXX [the top card]?
- What about it makes it difficult?
Is the question at the bottom of the pile more difficult than the questions in the not difficult pile?

Let’s look at your piles again.

Do you think other people in your household would sort them the same way? What would they do differently?
Thinking about answering these questions for the other people in your household instead of answering for yourself, do you want to move any of the cards between the piles? Feel free to do so
What makes that question/those questions more/less difficult to answer about someone else instead of yourself?

TAKE BACK CARDS AND SHUFFLE THEM

AFTER TASK IS COMPLETE LAY OUT CARDS SO THEY CAN BE SEEN – ONE LINE FOR “SENSITIVE” QUESTIONS AND ANOTHER FOR “NOT SENSITIVE”

How did you decide what to put in the sensitive pile?
Please describe the questions in the ‘sensitive’
Other than sensitive, what words would you use to describe this pile?
Please describe the questions in the ‘not sensitive’ pile
What do they have in common?
Do you think other people in your household would sort them the same way? What would they do differently?
Would you have sorted them differently if we had asked about how sensitive they were to answer about someone else in the household instead of you? How would it have been different?

Take the cards with questions you found difficult and place them in order from top to bottom with the top card being the most difficult and the bottom card being the least sensitive.

So you think this is the most sensitive question?
What about it makes it sensitive?
Is the question at the bottom of the pile more sensitive than the questions in the not sensitive pile?

Let’s look at your piles again.

Do you think other people in your household would sort them the same way? What would they do differently?
Thinking about answering these questions for the other people in your household instead of answering for yourself, do you want to move any of the cards between the piles? Feel free to do so
What makes that question/those questions more/less sensitive about someone else instead of yourself?

Question Wording

Give them a copy of the original and alternate questions (card F and G)

What’s the difference between these two versions?
What is your overall reaction to this version?
Do you think the second version of the question is easier or harder to understand? How so?
Which version of the question do you prefer? Can you tell me what about it you like better?

Again, we have another version of the wording. It says “Do you describe yourself as male, female, transgender or something else?”

Give them the alternate gender question (H an I)

What’s the difference between these two versions?
In your opinion, is this question the same as or different than the original?
What do you think the ‘something else’ is referring to?
Do you think the second version of the question is easier or harder to understand? How so?
Which version of the question do you prefer? Can you tell me what about it you like better?
If reported difficulty with first version: would this version make the question easier to answer than the other?
If reported discomfort with first version: How would you feel answering this version of the question with other household members present?

Closing Comments

As you might have guessed, we are thinking about asking sexual orientation and gender identity in Current Population Survey, a government survey about employment.

What do you think about that idea?
Why do you think the government is interested in sexual orientation and gender identity in a survey about employment?
If you were asked to provide information about your sexual orientation and gender identity in a government survey about employment, how would you react?
- How might others in your household react?
If you were asked to provide information about the sexual orientation and gender identity of everyone else in your household over 15, how would you react?
- How might others in your household react?
Is there anything that we could do differently to make it as easy and comfortable as possible for people to provide the information?
Do you have anything else you would like to tell us about the collection of information about sexual orientation and gender identity?

Closing

That’s all the questions I have for you, thanks for your feedback! Before you go,

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

I want to thank you very much for your participation. I will now give you $40 and I will ask you to sign a receipt form verifying that you received the money.

TURN OFF THE RECORDER. HAND THE CASH INCENTIVE AND VOUCHER TO THE PARTICIPANT.

SECTION IV. flashcards, question cards and, card sorting questions

Answer category cards

Card A

RELATIONSHIP

(42) Opposite-sex Spouse (Husband/Wife)

(43) Opposite-sex Unmarried partner

(44) Same-sex Spouse (Husband/Wife)

(45) Same-sex Unmarried partner

(46) Child

(47) Grandchild

(48) Parent (Mother/Father)

(49) Brother/Sister

(50) Other relative (Aunt, Cousin, Nephew,Mother-in-law, etc.)

(51) Foster child

(52) Housemate/Roommate

(53) Roomer/Boarder

(54) Other nonrelative

Card B

Education

(31) Less than 1st grade

(32) 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th grade

(33) 5th or 6th grade

(34) 7th or 8th grade

(35) 9th grade

(36) 10th grade

(37) 11th grade

(38) 12th grade NO DIPLOMA

(39) HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE – high school DIPLOMA or the

equivalent (For example: GED)

(40) Some college but no degree

(41) Associate degree in college – Occupational/vocational program

(42) Associate degree in college – Academic program

(43) Bachelor’s degree (For example: BA, AB, BS)

(44) Master’s degree (For example: MA, MS, MEng, Med, MSW, MBA)

(45) Professional School Degree (For example: MD, DDS, DVM,LLB, JD)

(46) Doctorate degree (For example: PhD, EdD)

Card C

RACE

CHOOSE ONE OR MORE

1. White

2. Black or African American

3. American Indian or Alaska Native

4. Asian

5. Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

Card D

INCOME

(1) Less than $ 5,000 (9) $30,000 to $34,999

(2) $ 5,000 to $ 7,499 (10) $35,000 to $39,999

(3) $ 7,500 to $ 9,999 (11) $40,000 to $49,999

(4) $10,000 to $12,499 (12) $50,000 to $59,999

(5) $12,500 to $14,999 (13) $60,000 to $74,999

(6) $15,000 to $19,999 (14) $75,000 to $99,999

(7) $20,000 to $24,999 (15) $100,000 to $149,999

(8) $25,000 to $29,999 (16) $150,000 or more

Question alternate text

Card E

Which of the following best represents how you think of yourself?

Gay or Lesbian
Straight, that is not gay, lesbian, or bisexual
Bisexual
Something else

Card F

Was your sex recorded as male or female at birth?

Male
Female

Was [NAME]’s sex recorded as male or female at birth?

Male
Female

Card G

Was your sex recorded as male or female on your birth certificate?

Male
Female

Was [NAME]’s sex recorded as male or female on their birth certificate?

Male
Female

Card H

Do you describe yourself as male, female, or transgender?

Male
Female
Transgender

Does [NAME] describe themselves as male, female, or transgender?

Male
Female
Transgender

Card I

Do you describe yourself as male, female, transgender or something else?

Male
Female
Transgender
Something else

Does [Name] describe themselves as male, female, transgender or something else?

Male
Female
Transgender
Something else

Card Sort Questions (will be shuffled to appear in random order- numbered here to make them easy to read)

1. What is your date of birth?

2. Was your sex recorded as male or female at birth?

3. Do you describe yourself as male, female, or transgender?

4. Are You Currently married, widowed, divorced, separated or never married?

5. Do You have a boyfriend, girlfriend, or partner living in the household?

6. Which of the following best represents how you think of yourself?

Gay or lesbian

Straight, that is not gay, lesbian or bisexual

Bisexual

Something else

7. Did you ever serve on active duty in the U.S. Armed forces?

8. What is the highest level of school you have completed or the highest degree you have received?

9. Are you Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino?

11. LAST WEEK, did YOU do ANY work for either pay or profit?

12. Is anyone Deaf or does anyone have serious difficulty hearing?

13. Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition, does anyone have serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions?

14. Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition, does anyone have difficulty doing errands alone such as visiting a doctor's office or shopping?

15. In what Country were you born?

16. In what Country was your mother born?

17. In what Country was your father born?

18. What is the name of the (company)(non-profit organization) (business) for which you work?

Appendix C: Focus Group Protocol

CPS Gender Identity Focus group protocol

Welcome and topic introduction (5 minutes)

Hello, My name is _________ and I am the moderator for today’s group discussion. I want to thank each of you for coming here today. [DESCRIBE OTHERS SEATED IN THE ROOM OR OBSERVERS IF NEEDED.]

This discussion is one of several focus groups we will be conducting at different sites around the country for the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. These focus groups are one of the first steps being taken to help us understand how to ask questions about gender identity on one of our national surveys.

We will spend this time participating in a group discussion. There are no right or wrong answers, because only you know what you are thinking. This focus group will last about 2 hours.

Additionally, - we will not use your names in our reports- and your participation is voluntary.

This session is being recorded so that I have accurate information while writing reports and so I don’t need to take notes while we are talking.

PERMISSIONS

The restroom is located ________. At any time you can excuse yourself to go to the restroom or to get water. However, I ask that only one person be up or out at a time so the conversation can continue.

GUIDELINES: In order for this group to work well, here are some guidelines.

^{Please
speak one at a time.}
^{Speak
in a voice as loud as mine so all can hear.}
^{Avoid
side conversations with your neighbors, but you can piggy back on
other people's comments in the group.}
^{I
want to hear from everyone; however, you do not have to answer every
question. Aim for "equal air time" so no one talks too
much or too little. Occasionally, I may need to cut someone off to
ensure that everyone is heard or to ensure we cover all topics.}
^{If
you disagree with someone else}’s comment, that’s ok. But please be respectful. Similarly, say what you believe whether or not anyone agrees with you. We’re here to hear your experiences and thoughts, it’s important to know if you’ve had a similar or different experience than others.
^{I
want to give all of you time to talk so I am not going to answer any
questions during the discussion. I will be happy to answer questions
at the end.}

Do you have any questions before we begin?

Please take a moment to make sure that your cell phone is on silent or turned off. Let's begin.

Warm- up (15 minutes )

Now we're going to practice sharing out thoughts on a topic so we can all get the idea of how this conversation will go. Please introduce yourselves using your first name and tell us where you live and about one activity that you enjoy doing.

**TURN ON RECORDER**

Identification (30 minutes)
1. What do you think I mean when I say gender identity?
2. How do you identify yourself- that is what term do you use to convey your gender to others?
  1. Is picking a term straightforward for you to do?
  2. Was that always the case?
  3. Would you have used a different term at any other point in your life?
3. How would you define the term transgender?

Gender identity on government surveys (25 minutes)
1. Do you think it is important or unimportant to include gender identity questions on surveys? Why or why not?
2. What about government surveys, do you think government surveys should include gender identity questions? Why or why not?
  1. Why do you think the government might be interested in collecting this information?
  2. What do you think they would do with it?
3. Does the type of survey matter, for example is this information more important on a survey about general population, health, work, crime, etc.? Why or why not?
  1. Which types of surveys would this be important to ask on?
  2. What about a government survey about employment, what do you think about asking a gender identity question there?
4. Do you have any concerns about including gender identity on government surveys? What are your concerns?
5. Would you have any concerns or hesitation answering this question on a government telephone survey? What about a face to face survey?
6. We are doing this research because one of our surveys, one that asks about employment, is considering adding a gender identity question. The goal of adding this question to an employment survey is to allow economists and policy makers to better understand employment amongst specific populations; you’ve probably heard about differences in unemployment rate by state or by race, this would allow for similar estimates to be produced by gender identity. What do you think about that?
  1. Is there anything we can do to make it as easy and as comfortable as possible for people to provide this information?

Question wording (25 Minutes)
1. I have two examples of survey questions, [HAND OUT THE ONE PART AND TWO PART SEX/GENDER IDENTITY QUESTIONS] what do you see as the differences between these questions?
  1. Do you prefer the single question or the two part question? What do you prefer about that one?
  2. Is one easier to answer?
  3. How would you answer the one-part question?
  4. How would you answer the two-part question?
2. [HAND OUT THE TWO PART QUESTION WITH FOUR DIFFERENT ANSWER OPTIONS] Here is the two-part question again but this time there are different options for the second question. What do you see as the differences between these questions?
  1. Do you have a preference for one set of answer choices over another?
  2. Are there any other answers you would like included?
  3. Would you answer this question differently with this new set of answer choices provided?
3. In addition to gender identity, we are also considering adding questions about sexual orientation.
  1. Do you think a question about sexual orientation is more or less sensitive than a question about gender identity? Why or why not? [PROVIDE QUESTION TEXT IF ASKED]
  2. Do you think a question about sexual orientation is more or less difficult to answer than a question about gender identity? Why or why not?

Gender identity by proxy (15 minutes)
1. The survey that we are considering adding gender identity questions to is unique in that one person answers the questions for everyone in the household.
2. Let’s just look at the two part question. [HAND OUT PROXY QUESTION TEXT FOR TWO PART QUESTION] If someone else in your home were answering this question for you, do you think they would have an easy time or hard time answering?
  1. How do you think someone in your household would answer this question for you?
  2. Do you think they’d be comfortable doing so?
  3. Would they have any concerns or hesitations answering it about you on your behalf?
  4. Do you think they would answer it?
  5. Do you think they would find this question sensitive?
  6. Do you think they’d answer the question as you would answer it for yourself?
3. Is there a way that we should word the question or introduce the topic to address any concerns or hesitation that respondents might have when answering this question, either for themselves or others in their household?

Conclusion (5 minutes)

That’s all the questions we have for you today. Does anyone have any additional comments or questions we can answer?

[RESPOND TO COMMENTS AND ANSWER QUESTIONS]

Thank you very much for your participation. You can pick up your incentive from the area where you first signed in.

Focus Group Show Cards

One step question

What is your current gender?

Male

Female

Transgender

Do not identify as male, female or transgender

Two step question

Was your sex recorded as male or female at birth?

Male
Female

Do you describe yourself as male, female, or transgender?

Male
Female
Transgender

Two step question options

1. Was your sex recorded as male or female at birth?

Male
Female

2a. Do you describe yourself as male, female, or transgender?

Male
Female
Transgender

2B. Do you describe yourself as male, female, or transgender or something else ?

Male
Female
Transgender
Do not identify as male, female, or transgender

2C. How do you describe yourself? (Check one)

Male
Female
Transgender
Genderqueer/gender non-conforming

2D. How do you describe yourself? (Check one)

Male
Female
Trans male/ Trans man
Trans female/ Trans woman
Genderqueer/gender non-conforming
Different identity (please state)

Text for sexual orientation questions – optional in case asked for

Which of the following best represents how you think of yourself?

Gay or Lesbian
Straight, that is not gay, lesbian, or bisexual
Bisexual
Something else
DK
REF

To the best of your knowledge, which of the following best represents how NAME] thinks of their self?

Gay or Lesbian
Straight, that is not gay, lesbian, or bisexual
Bisexual
Something else
DK
REF

Two step question for proxy

1. To the best of your knowledge, was [NAME]’s] sex recorded as male or female at birth?

Male
Female
DK
REF

2. To the best of your knowledge, does [NAME]] describe themselves as male, female, or transgender?

Male
Female
Transgender
DK
REF

Appendix D: Interviewing Recruitment Advertisements

Broadcast Email Announcement

Subject: Participants needed for questionnaire testing

From the Desk of Paul Beatty (Chief, Center for Survey Measurement)

The Center for Survey Measurement is looking for participants to help test question wording on a national employment survey. Interviews will be one hour and will take place at the Census Bureau in Suitland, Maryland, the Bureau of Labor Statistics in D.C., or at a location that is convenient for you. Each participant in this study will receive $40 (federal employees are not eligible to receive the $40). We need participants who meet one or more of the following criteria:

Identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender
Live with at least two other people
Live with at least one person age 15-25
Live with a spouse, partner, child, or other person age 15 or over who is also willing to participate

If interested, please call Kevin at (301) 763-4979 or email him at Kevin.J.Younes@census.gov. (If you are under 18 please have someone in the household 18 or over call)

Please feel free to pass this request along to other people that you may know in the Washington, D.C. area. Up to 2 persons per household may qualify.

Craigslist Advertisement

Volunteers needed to test survey - $40 for 1 hour

The U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics are looking for people who meet one or more of the following criteria:

Identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender
Live with at least two other people
Live with at least one person age 15-25
Living in a suburban or rural area
Live with a spouse, partner, child, or other person age 15 or over who is also willing to participate

Up to two persons per household may qualify. Each participant will receive $40.00 compensation for participating in this study. Those participants meeting any of the requirements should call Kevin at (301) 763-4979 or email him at Kevin.J.Younes@census.gov. Please mention the word CENSUS.

Please feel free to pass this request along to other people that you may know in the Washington, D.C. area.

Appendix E: Cognitive Interviewing Screeners

CPS SOGI Telephone Screener – Census Bureau/Bureau or Labor Statistics (Cognitive Interviews)

Hello, I’m _____________ from the Census Bureau/Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Thank you for contacting us about participating in one of our studies.
I just need to get a little bit of background information to start.
Auto filled: ID Number
Auto filled: Last Contact Date
Auto filled: Eligible Date

What is your name?

First name: [ ]

Last name: [ ]

(Ask if not obvious) Are you male or female?

o Male

o Female

In what year were you born?
Are you of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin?

o Yes

o No

What is your race? Please select one or more. White, Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, or Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander?

(Allow up to 3 answers)

[] White

[] Black or African American

[] American Indian or Alaska Native

[] Asian

[] Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander

What is the highest grade of school you have completed, or the highest degree you have received?

(do not read categories to respondent)

Less than high school
Completed high school
Some college, no degree
Associate’s degree (AA/AS)
Bachelor’s Degree (BA/BS)
Post-Bachelor's degree (For example MA, MS, Ph.D, JD, etc.)

Are you working for pay full-time, part-time, or are you not working for pay at this time?

o Full-time (ask both follow-up questions)

o Part-time (ask both follow-up questions)

o Not working for pay at this time (skip to next question)

a. What is your current job title or job description?

[ ]

Are you employed by the Federal Government? (if federal contractor, mark NO)

o Yes

o No

In what city, state, and ZIP code do you currently live?

How many people age 18 or older currently live in your household, INCLUDING yourself?

[ ]

How many people younger than 18 currently live in your household?

[ ]

Do you speak a language other than English at home?

o Yes (ask follow-up question)

o No (skip to next question)

What language or languages do you speak at home? Please select one or more.

[ ] Spanish

[ ] Chinese

[ ] Korean

[ ] Vietnamese

[ ] Arabic

[ ] Russian

[ ] Other - Specify [ ]

Do you own a cell phone?

o Yes (ask follow-up question)

o No (skip to next question)

Some cell phones are called “smartphones” because of certain features they have. Is your cell phone a smartphone, such as an iPhone, Android, Blackberry or Windows phone, or are you not sure?

Do you own a desktop or laptop computer, or both?

o Desktop computer

o Laptop computer

o Both desktop and laptop computer

o Neither

Do you own a tablet computer such as an iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab, Google Nexus, or Kindle Fire?

o Yes

o No

Do you have at least one year of Internet experience?

o Yes (ask follow-up question)

o No (skip to next question)

How often do you use the Internet either on a computer or on a mobile device like a smartphone or tablet?...Several times a day, about once a day, a few times a week, a few times a month, or a few times a year?

Several times a day

About once a day

A few times a week

A few times a month

A few times a year

Not at all [do not read to respondent]

Name two things you do on the Internet besides e-mail.

[ ]

Internet Activity #1:

Research

Social media/communication (Facebook, Twitter, Craigslist)

Shopping

Banking or paying bills online

Music / movies / videos

Gaming

News

Travel (directions/reservations)

Employment

Other

Internet Activity #2:

Research

Social media/communication (Facebook, Twitter, Craigslist)

Shopping

Banking or paying bills online

Music / movies / videos

Gaming

News

Travel (directions/reservations)

Employment

Other

How did you hear about this research opportunity?

E-mail link

Census Bureau employee

Bureau of Labor Statistics Employee

Friend or family member (but not a Census Bureau or Bureau of Labor Statistics employee)

Facebook

Craigslist

Google advertisement

Flyer

Newspaper advertisement

Other – specify[ ]

Have you participated in any research studies with the U.S. Census Bureau or Bureau of Labor Statistics?

o Yes

o No

Would you be willing to come to our office in Suitland, Maryland, to participate in a research study??

or
Would you be willing to come to the Bureau of Labor Statistics office in downtown D.C., to participate in a research study?? (ask with the question about visiting the census)

o Yes

o No

What is your daytime telephone number?

[Probe for all 3 phone numbers]

Mobile ([ ]) [ ] – [ ]

Home (if not mobile) ([ ]) [ ] – [ ]

Work (if any) ([ ]) [ ] – [ ] EXT.[ ]

What is the e-mail address we should use when sending directions to our office, should you qualify for a study?

[ ]

Is your household’s annual income …

o Less than $15,000?

o $15,000 to $25,000?

o $25,000 to$50,000?

o $50,000 to $100,000?

o More than $100,000?

Are you a United States citizen? You do not have to be a U.S. citizen to participate in our studies.

o Yes

o No

How many people age 15 or older currently live in your household?

How many people age 15 to 25 currently live in your household, INCLUDING yourself?

[If 24=2 or more] Would this person/any of these persons be willing to participate in a research study as well?

1 [ ] Yes

2 [ ] No

3 [ ] DK

26. [If 25 = Yes] What is the name of this person/one of these persons?

First Name: [ ]

Last Name: [ ]

Contact info if 18 or over

28. Does anyone in your household 15 or over identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Queer or transgender?

o Yes

o No

Thank you for answering our questions. We will use this information to select participants for our study. If you are selected you will be contacted with further details in the near future by the contact information you provided.

CPS SOGI Telephone Screener - Contractor (Cognitive Interviews)

Hello, I’m _____________ from ____________.

Thank you for contacting us about participating in our study. The purpose of this study is to test question wording on a national employment survey.
I just need to get a little bit of background information to start. We ask for this information as part of our screening process.
Auto filled: ID Number
Auto filled: Last Contact Date
Auto filled: Eligible Date

What is your name?

First name: [ ]

Last name: [ ]

Are you employed by the Federal Government? (if federal contractor, mark NO. If yes remind them that federal employees are not eligible for the $40 but may still participate and ask if they are still interested in participating)

o Yes

o No

Are you male, female, transgender or something else?

o Male

o Female

o Transgender

o Something else

In what year were you born?
Are you of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin?

o Yes

o No

What is your race? Please select one or more. White, Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, or Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander?

(Allow up to 3 answers)

[] White

[] Black or African American

[] American Indian or Alaska Native

[] Asian

[] Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander

What is the highest grade of school you have completed, or the highest degree you have received?

(do not read categories to respondent)

Less than high school
Completed high school
Some college, no degree
Associate’s degree (AA/AS)
Bachelor’s Degree (BA/BS)
Post-Bachelor's degree (For example MA, MS, Ph.D, JD, etc.)

Are you working for pay full-time, part-time, or are you not working for pay at this time?

o Full-time (ask follow-up question)

o Part-time (ask follow-up question)

o Not working for pay at this time (skip to next question)

a. What is your current job title or job description?

[ ]

In what city, state, and ZIP code do you currently live?

How did you hear about this research opportunity?

E-mail link

Census Bureau employee

Friend or family member (but not a Census Bureau employee)

Facebook

Craigslist

Google advertisement

Flyer

Newspaper advertisement

Other – specify[ ]

Have you participated in any research studies with the U.S. Census Bureau?

o Yes

o No

What is your daytime telephone number?

[Probe for all 3 phone numbers]

Mobile ([ ]) [ ] – [ ]

Home (if not mobile) ([ ]) [ ] – [ ]

Work (if any) ([ ]) [ ] – [ ] EXT.[ ]

What is the e-mail address we should use when sending directions and interview information, should you qualify for a study?

[ ]

How many people age 15 or older currently live in your household?

How many people age 15 to 25 currently live in your household, INCLUDING yourself?

[If 14=2 or more] Would this person/any of these persons be willing to participate in a research study as well?

1 [ ] Yes

2 [ ] No

3 [ ] DK

17. [If 3b = Yes] What is the name of this person/one of these persons?

First Name: [ ]

Last Name: [ ]

Contact info if 18 or over

19. Does anyone in your household 15 or over identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Queer or transgender?

o Yes

o No

Appendix F: Focus Group Recruitment Ads

Broadcast Email Announcement

Subject: Transgender participants needed for focus group

From the Desk of Paul Beatty (Chief, Center for Survey Measurement)

The Center for Survey Measurement is looking for focus group participants to help us evaluate potential new gender identity questions for a national employment survey. The focus group will be two hours and will take place at a downtown location. We are looking for participants who identify as transgender or genderqueer. Each participant in this study will receive $75 (federal employees are not eligible to receive the $75).

If interested, please call Kevin at (301) 763-4979 or email him at Kevin.J.Younes@census.gov. (If you are under 18 please have someone in the household 18 or over call)

Please feel free to pass this request along to other people that you may know in the Washington, D.C. area. Up to 2 persons per household may qualify.

Craigslist Advertisement

Volunteers needed for focus group - $75 for 2 hours

The U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics is looking for people who identify as transgender or genderqueer to help us evaluate potential new gender identity questions for an employment survey

Each participant will receive $75.00 compensation for participating in this study. Those participants meeting the requirements should call Kevin at (301) 763-4979 or email him at Kevin.J.Younes@census.gov. Please mention the word CENSUS.

Please feel free to pass this request along to other people that you may know in the Washington, D.C. area.

Appendix G: Focus Group Screeners

CPS SOGI Telephone Screener - Contractor (Focus Groups)

Hello, I’m _____________ from ____________.

Thank you for contacting us about participating in our focus group study. The purpose of this study is to help us evaluate new gender identity questions for a national employment survey.
I just need to get a little bit of background information to start. We ask for this information as part of our screening process.
Auto filled: ID Number
Auto filled: Last Contact Date
Auto filled: Eligible Date

What is your name?

First name: [ ]

Last name: [ ]

Are you employed by the Federal Government? (if federal contractor, mark NO. If yes remind them that federal employees are not eligible for the $40 but may still participate and ask if they are still interested in participating)

o Yes

o No

Do you or have you ever identified as transgender or genderqueer?

o Yes

o No

In what year were you born?
Are you of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin?

o Yes

o No

What is your race? Please select one or more. White, Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, or Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander?

(Allow up to 3 answers)

[] White

[] Black or African American

[] American Indian or Alaska Native

[] Asian

[] Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander

What is the highest grade of school you have completed, or the highest degree you have received?

(do not read categories to respondent)

Less than high school
Completed high school
Some college, no degree
Associate’s degree (AA/AS)
Bachelor’s Degree (BA/BS)
Post-Bachelor's degree (For example MA, MS, Ph.D, JD, etc.)

Are you working for pay full-time, part-time, or are you not working for pay at this time?

o Full-time (ask both follow-up questions)

o Part-time (ask both follow-up questions)

o Not working for pay at this time (skip to next question)

a. What is your current job title or job description?

[ ]

Are you employed by the Federal Government? (if federal contractor, mark NO)

o Yes

o No

In what city, state, and ZIP code do you currently live?

How many people age 15 or older currently live in your household?

How did you hear about this research opportunity?

E-mail link

Census Bureau employee

Friend or family member (but not a Census Bureau employee)

Facebook

Craigslist

Google advertisement

Flyer

Newspaper advertisement

Other – specify[ ]

What is your daytime telephone number?

[Probe for all 3 phone numbers]

Mobile ([ ]) [ ] – [ ]

Home (if not mobile) ([ ]) [ ] – [ ]

Work (if any) ([ ]) [ ] – [ ] EXT.[ ]

What is the e-mail address we should use when sending directions to the focus group location, should you qualify for this study?

[ ]

Thank you for answering our questions. We will use this information to select participants for our focus group study. If you are selected you will be contacted with further details in the near future by the contact information you provided.

Appendix H: Consent Form and Privacy Act Statement

OMB Number: 1220-0141

Expires: 04/30/2016

CONSENT FORM

The Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) are conducting research to increase the quality of their surveys. This study is intended to suggest ways to improve the procedures they uses to collect survey data.

The Census Bureau and BLS, its employees, agents, and partner statistical agencies, will use the information you provide for statistical purposes only and will hold the information in confidence to the full extent permitted by law. In accordance with the Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act of 2002 (Title 5 of Public Law 107-347) and other applicable Federal laws, your responses will not be disclosed in identifiable form without your informed consent. The Privacy Act notice on the back of this form describes the conditions under which information related to this study will be used by BLS employees and agents.

During this research you may be audio and/or videotaped, or you may be observed. If you do not wish to be taped, you still may participate in this research.

We estimate it will take you up to 60 minutes to participate in this research.

Your participation in this research project is voluntary, and you have the right to stop at any time. If you agree to participate, please sign below.

Persons are not required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control number is 1220-0141 and expires 04-30-2018.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have read and understand the statements above. I consent to participate in this study.

___________________________________ ___________________________

Participant's signature Date

___________________________________

Participant's printed name

___________________________________

Researcher's signature

PRIVACY ACT STATEMENT

In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (5 U.S.C. 552a), you are hereby notified that this study is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), under authority of 29 U.S.C. 2. Your voluntary participation is important to the success of this study and will enable the Census Bureau and BLS to better understand the behavioral and psychological processes of individuals, as they reflect on the accuracy of their information collections. The Census Bureau and BLS, its employees, agents, and partner statistical agencies, will use the information you provide for statistical purposes only and will hold the information in confidence to the full extent permitted by law. In accordance with the Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act of 2002 (Title 5 of Public Law 107-347) and other applicable Federal laws, your responses will not be disclosed in identifiable form without your informed consent.

File Type	application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document
File Title	October 14, 2003
Author	Yu, Erica - BLS
File Modified	0000-00-00
File Created	2021-01-23