Part B.
1. Describe the potential respondent universe and any sampling or other respondent selection methods to be used.
The potential respondent universe of the NAHRS is the State veterinarian1 in each of the 50 States and Guam and Puerto Rico. There will be no sampling; this is a census. Based on past participation, all 50 States and Guam and Puerto Rico regularly participate (100% participation. Therefore, APHIS expects 50 States and Guam and Puerto Rico to respond each month.
2. Describe the procedures for the collection of information including:
Statistical methodology for stratification and sample selection:
There will be no stratification. This data collection is a census.
Estimation Procedure:
The reports are compiled to determine national presence or absence of disease. If any State reports a disease, it is present for the U.S. Cumulative reports and also compiled at the State and national levels.
Degree of Accuracy Needed:
Since this is a census, there is no sampling error.
Unusual problems requiring specialized sampling procedures and data collection cycles:
Past efforts to collect data on animal health, productivity, and profitability have revealed that recall bias is very important. The original data collection cycle was set to be quarterly; however, States decided monthly collection cycles would ease burden and allow for more accurate reports. Therefore, monthly data collection cycles are most desirable.
3. Describe methods to maximize response rates and to deal with issues of non-response:
Maximizing Response Rates:
Collection of data will be minimized to that which is absolutely necessary.
Respondents are offered the option of acquiring and submitting forms electronically via the World Wide Web.
States are reminded monthly of NAHRS reports if there is no response received by the 30th of the month.
There are several benefits to participating States which include:
▪ Improved and expanded animal disease reporting infrastructure;
▪ Demonstrated State-Federal disease surveillance and reporting relationship which in the long run helps to protect international trade benefiting agriculture in the States.
Dealing with Non-Response:
State reporting status is reviewed monthly by the NAHRS coordinator using the NAHRS Online Reporting Application.
States that have not participated are sent a reminder email from the NAHRS coordinator.
At the end of the calendar year, each State’s contact person is sent a letter indicating the months that NAHRS reports were missed.
4. Describe any tests of procedures or methods to be undertaken.
The NAHRS methods were pre-tested on less than 10 respondents. Results of the pretests were used to refine the information collection in order to reduce respondent burden and improve the usefulness of the information.
5. Provide the name and telephone number of individuals consulted on statistical aspects of the design and the name of the agency unit, contact(s), grantee(s), or other person(s) who will actually collect and /or analyze the information for the agency.
The statistical aspects of the design were coordinated by Dr. Marta Remmenga, Statistician, with the APHIS staff in Fort Collins, CO, at 970-494-7359.
Contact persons for data collection are:
A. USDA:
- Dr. Rebecca Jones, VMO-Epidemiologist, Veterinary Services, Fort Collins, CO 970-494-7196.
B. Federal Veterinarians:
- Dr. Jack Shere, Deputy Administrator, Veterinary Services,
USDA - APHIS, Washington, DC 202-799-7147.
Analysis of the data will be accomplished by VS veterinarians, epidemiologists, agricultural economists, and statisticians under the direction of Dr. Elizabeth Lautner,
Associate Deputy Administrator, STAS, P.O. Box 844, 1920 Dayton Ave, Ames, Iowa, 50010, telephone 515-337-7301, fax 515-337-7397.
References:
United States Animal Health Association. Report of the Committee on Animal Health Information Systems. October, 2000.
Office International des Epizooties. “OIE Classification: Diseases Notifiable to the OIE.
http://www.oie.int/eng/maladies/en_classification.htm
NAHRS Web Site: www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ceah/ncahs/nahrs
1 The State veterinarian is responsible for reporting on the presence/absence of disease. Depending on workloads, the State veterinarian may delegate this responsibility to the assistant State veterinarian, lab director, or other individual to complete and return the NAHRS report to the coordinator.
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