Attachment A - Proposed Changes

Attachment A: Proposed changes to NLSY79 Round 29

Round 29 is currently running over 82 minutes. The timings were stable when calculated at 1000, 1500, and 1950 cases. If all cuts proposed below are implemented, the program estimates the new length of the questionnaire to be 77 minutes.

The program proposes to cut approximately 3.69 minutes from the interview. This proposal for cuts is based on two criteria: (1) the length of each question and (2) the question not being asked regularly in the NLSY79 and hence lacking a longitudinal record on the measure. BLS has reviewed the number of seconds each item is taking on average across all respondents and the number of respondents who answer the item.

With one exception, the questions we propose to drop have not been asked regularly in the NLSY79. Thus, stakeholders have not emerged for these particular items. The exception is the schooling section, which has been asked in every previous round of the NLSY79. We had cut this section beginning in Round 29 for respondents over age 60. In reviewing the timings, we found that only 21 out of 1321 respondents asked to date about regular school reported attending since their last interview. We therefore propose dropping the schooling section for all respondents. Cutting the schooling section will save 0.39 minutes.

In addition, we have asked the field if they can streamline the collection of the contact information for future interviews. For respondents who have a good track record of participation (participated in the last two rounds), the field proposes to limit information on contacts who could put the field in touch with the sample member to two contacts. We estimate this will save approximately one minute of survey time. We also propose to stop asking what times of day it is best to contact respondents for future data collection, as they are unlikely to know their preferred time of day for an interview two years hence. The program estimates that these two changes to the collection of contact information will save 1.34 minutes.

Combining the 3.69 minutes of estimated savings from questionnaire revisions with the 1.34 minutes of estimated savings from the collection of contact information, the total estimated savings from these revisions is approximately 5.03 minutes.

The proposed cuts (in addition to dropping the schooling session) to the survey are listed below.

Items proposed for cutting from Round 29.

1. Cognition-6G to Cognition-6N: Now please try counting backward from a different number. Remember to count as quickly as you can from the number I mention. Please start with: 86

Savings of 0.46 minutes.

This is the second backward counting exercise in the NLSY79 Cognition section sponsored by the National Institute of Aging (NIA). NIA has approved cutting this second backward counting exercise as data from the Health and Retirement Survey shows that at the ages of the NLSY79 sample members, the first backward counting exercise sufficiently demonstrates a respondent’s abilities in this area.

2. Q11-Covid_3: Were you unable to get or were you delayed in getting any of the following types of care because of the Coronavirus outbreak?

Urgent Care for an Accident or Illness

A Surgical Procedure

Diagnostic or Medical Screening Test

Treatment for Ongoing Condition

A Regular Check-up

Dental Care

Access to Prescription Drugs

Savings of 1.00 minutes

3. Q11-Genhlth_7A to Q11-Genhlth_7F_2

When you buy a food item for the first time, how often would you say you read the nutritional information sometimes listed on the label - would you say always, often, sometimes, rarely or never?

When you buy a food item for the first time, how often would you say you read the ingredient list on the package - (would you say always, often, sometimes, rarely or never)?

In the past seven days, how many times did you...

...Eat food from a fast food restaurant such as McDonalds, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pizza Hut, or Taco Bell?

# TIMES:

(In the past seven days, how many times did you...)

...Eat a snack between meals?

# TIMES:

(In the past seven days, how many times did you...)

...Skip a meal?

# TIMES:

(In the past seven days, how many times did you...)

...Have a soft drink or soda that contained sugar? (Do not include diet soft drinks or sodas, or carbonated water.)

# TIMES:

Savings of 0.72 minutes

4. Q11-Resilience:

After each statement, please tell me whether you strongly agree, agree, are neutral, disagree, or strongly disagree with each one.

	- I tend to bounce back quickly after hard times.
	- I have a hard time making it through stressful events.
	- It does not take me long to recover from a stressful event.
	- It is hard for me to snap back when something bad happens.
	- I usually come through difficult times with little trouble.
	- I tend to take a long time to get over set-backs in my life.

	5   STRONGLY AGREE
	4   AGREE
	3   NEUTRAL
	2   DISAGREE
	1   STRONGLY DISAGREE

We propose to change the skip pattern for Q11-Resilience, so that only those who go through the 60+ health module receive this question. Further, we propose to shorten the scale from 6 to 4 items.

Savings of 1.12 minutes.