NLSY26 Needs Assessment User Outreach Survey

Needs Assessment User Outreach Survey

FINAL

Thank you very much for helping us gather feedback on the National Longitudinal Surveys (NLS), and input on a new youth survey.

The National Longitudinal Surveys (NLS) are a set of surveys designed to gather information at multiple points in time on the labor market activities and other significant life events of several groups of people.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is in the process of planning a new youth cohort, NLSY26, expected to begin interviews in 2026, and is looking for input from all stakeholders.

Even if you are not a frequent user of NLS data or products, any feedback you can provide would be appreciated. Your participation will help ensure that your preferences are considered when planning for the new cohort.

Your participation in this survey is voluntary. We estimate that it will take approximately 20 minutes to complete.

We are collecting this information under OMB Clearance Number 1225-0088. Without this currently approved number, we could not conduct this survey.

Please note that this survey is being administered by Qualtrics and resides on a server outside of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) domain. The BLS cannot guarantee the protection of survey responses and advises against the inclusion of personally-identifiable information—such as your full name, phone number, e-mail address, etc.—in any response.

If you have any questions about this survey, please contact [email protected] and reference the NLSY26 User Feedback Questionnaire.

For more information about the NLS, please visit: http://www.bls.gov/nls.

Click 'Next' to begin the survey.

First, we want to ask you some questions to understand your experience with NLS data.

Customer and Usage Information

Q1. Have you ever used National Longitudinal Surveys (NLS) data?

• Yes Go to Q1a

• No Go to Q6

Q1a. Which NLS surveys (also called cohorts) have you used? Mark all that apply.

• NLSY79

• NLSY97

• NLSY79 Child-Young Adult

• Older and Young Men

• Mature and Young Women

Q1b. When did you last use NLS data?

• In the last 2 years

• More than 2 years ago but less than 5 years ago

• More than 5 years ago

• I don’t remember

Q1c. For which of the following purposes have you used NLS data? Mark all that apply.

• Research Go to Q1d. All else go to Q5.

• Instruction and education

• Media and press reporting

• Consumer market analysis

• Personal interest

• Other purpose (please specify): _____________________

Q1d. What was the general topic of your research or analysis? Mark all that apply.

• Labor market outcomes

• Household composition

• Health

• Cohabitation, marriage, and divorce

• Childbearing and fertility

• Pregnancy

• Child development

• Schooling and education

• Income and wealth

• Environment

• Migration All go to Q5

• Recipiency and program assistance

• Training

• Crime and criminal justice

• Survey methods and data quality

• Other (please specify): _____________________

Go to Q5

Satisfaction with NLS Products

Q5. Based on your experience using NLS data, please indicate how much you agree or disagree with the following statements.

Response options: Strongly agree, agree, neutral, disagree, strongly disagree, no basis to decide

1. Data are accurate

2. Data are available for the subpopulations I require for my work

3. Variables available in the NLS meet my needs

4. Data are timely enough for my needs

5. Coverage of topics are current

6. Data are easy to access

7. NLS concepts, sources, and methods are explained in a way I understand

Go to Q7

Non-NLS Users

Q6. Have you used longitudinal data from sources other than the NLS in the last 5 years?

• Yes Go to Q6a

• No Go to Q7

Q6a. Please list or describe the longitudinal data sets that you have used in the last 5 years.

[Text boxes]

Q6b. Please indicate the reason(s) why you have not used NLS data. Mark all that apply.

• Not familiar with the NLS

• Difficult to use

• Not applicable to my current research

• Not applicable to my field of interest

• Not applicable to my business/profession

• Not timely enough

• Similar to data obtained from another source

• Sample is not sufficient to represent subpopulation of interest

• Other (please specify): _____________________

Respondent Affiliation

Q7. Which of the following best describes the organization where you work?
University or Academic Institution Go to Q7a. All others go to Q7b State or Local Government Federal Government Research Firm/Institution Training/Technical Assistance Organization Media Organization Consumer Research Organization Other (Please Specify. For example, Foundation Staff or National Policy Organization Staff):_____________________

Q7a. Which category best describes your department or discipline?

• Economics

• Sociology

• Psychology

• Demography

• Public Policy

• Survey Methodology

• Other (please specify): _____________________

Need skip so that only people who have used NLS or other survey data, get the next question.

Only display if Q1=Yes or if Q6=Yes.

Otherwise, go to Q8 intro.

Q7b. In which of the following ways do you typically use surveys? Mark all that apply.

• Conduct research and analyses yourself

• Supervise research and analyses conducted by others

• Fund or authorize analyses

• Consult questionnaires or survey documentation to inform other research

• Review analytic findings, for example, in conferences, journals, mainstream press, etc.

All go to Q8 intro.

Q8 intro. Now we will ask you some questions to get your input on a future new NLS cohort, which BLS is in the process of planning.

Q9a. What design features would you find valuable in a new NLS youth cohort? Mark all that apply.

• Data collection at least every year

• Oversamples of specific populations } If selected go to Q9a1

• Inclusion of siblings

• Availability of cognitive measures

• Other (specify): _____________________

• Don’t know

Go to Q9b.

Q9a1. Which oversamples do you think most valuable in a new NLS youth cohort? Mark all that apply.

• Racial/ethnic oversamples (Black, Hispanic/Latino, Asian/Pacific Islander)

• Rural oversample

• Oversample of those with a disability

• Other (specify) _____________________

Q9b. If BLS faces trade-offs between making a new youth cohort comparable to previous NLS cohorts and adding new content and features, which would you give more weight?

• Comparability to previous NLS cohorts

• New content and features

• Don’t know

Q9c. If BLS faces trade-offs between the accessibility of the microdata public use files, using current NLSY public use data sets as a benchmark, and linking in administrative data, which would you give more weight?

• Linkage possibilities to selected administrative data

• Accessible public use files

• Don’t know

Now we have some open-ended questions. This more detailed feedback will help ensure that your preferences are considered when planning for the new cohort. We welcome input from all, including those who are less familiar with the NLS. These questions are optional and may be left blank.

[Open-ended text fields with responses not required for the remaining questions]

Q10. What do you think are the most important research questions a new cohort of the National Longitudinal Surveys program should address?

[Multiple Text Boxes]

Q11. What are the most important social changes, economic trends or events that should be considered in planning the new cohort?

Skip: If Q1c=NLSY79 or NLSY97, go to Q12. Otherwise go to Q13

Q12. Using the NLSY79 or NLSY97 as a reference

1. What do you see as gaps in the NLSY data?

2. What do you consider the ‘must keep’ elements in the current data?

3. What are the elements you feel are less valuable and not needed in a new youth survey?

Q13 What are the most important factors driving how you and others in your field choose data sources for your work?

Q14. What is a data source you would recommend for potential data linkage with NLSY data? Please explain why you recommend the data source for linking.

Open-ended.

• Don’t know/no recommendations

Q15. What would be your single biggest wish regarding the new NLS youth cohort? Your answer can cover methodology, questionnaire, or a general topic.

Thank you very much for your time.

For more information about the NLSY and the potential new NLSY26 cohort, visit [WEBPAGE].

END SURVEY