45 Start-Restart Section

SpecWriter Data

Form Version:

10/4/2022 9:06:41 AM

Report Type:

Full Detail

Project Database:
Language:

English

WESSQL300.MEPSSpring2023

Spec Label:

This is the cover page. Additional contents currently project specific.

ST - Page 1 of 24

MEPSSpring2023

Start/Restart (ST) Section
(Rout

Full Detail Spec
BOX_00

Route Details:

(ST1000)

Item Type: Route

Type Class: If Then

01 Box = BOX_00, BOX_10, BOX_20, BOX_30, BOX_40

04 Single Select = ST20, ST30, ST33, ST35, ST37, ST55, ST65, ST67, ST70

05 Single Select with Display Roster = ST10

07 Single Select with Add/Edit/Delete = ST50, ST60

08 Multiple Select = ST40

24 Information Screen = ST80

Roster 3 = ST50, ST60

ST - Page 2 of 24

MEPSSpring2023

Start/Restart (ST) Section
(Rout

Full Detail Spec
BOX_10

Route Details:

(ST1005)

Item Type: Route

Type Class: If Then

RU Classifications: The following RU classifications are used throughout the
reenumeration section in skip and word fill specifications:
Standard RU - An RU (other than a student RU) that existed in the previous round. During
the interview with the standard RU, information may be obtained that identifies a ‘NEW
RU’ or a ‘STUDENT RU’ and a new case is created. See definitions below.
New RU - When one or more RU members are identified as having left the RU and formed
one or more new RUs, a new case is created for each of the new RUs where at least one key
RU member lives. In the current round, the case is classified as a ‘NEW RU’ unless it
satisfies the conditions for a ‘STUDENT RU’ (see definition below). In the next round, the
new RU will be reclassified as a ‘STANDARD RU’ since it existed in the previous round.
Student RU - When an RU member is identified in a standard or new RU as being age
17-23 (inclusive), NEVER MARRIED, NON-MILITARY, and LIVING AWAY FROM
THE STANDARD/NEW RU AT POST- SECONDARY SCHOOL WITHIN THE U.S., an
RU is created and classified as a ‘STUDENT RU’. The ‘STUDENT RU’ remains classified
as a ‘STUDENT RU’ until one of the criteria for a student RU classification is violated
(e.g., age range or marital status). (Note: a student RU is always a single-person RU.)
Note: The NHIS original RUs are determined from In-House Pre- Processing and are
classified as standard RUs.
Note: References to the RU-members-roster and ‘RU MEMBERS’ in these specifications
indicate the roster in its current state; that is, including all additions to and deletions from
the roster that occur up to the point at which the reference is made.
Therefore, if Round 1, the first time a case is worked during the round, at the beginning of
the RE section, the roster includes all original NHIS RU members. If not round 1, the first
time a case is worked in the round, at the beginning of the RE section, the roster includes all
RU members who were eligible or institutionalized on the date of the previous round
interview.
In all rounds, for a case that has had a breakoff after the RE section, the roster includes
persons eligible or institutionalized at the end of RE. For a split RU, the roster includes RU
members who split from the original RU.
Restart Definition:
⦁ A case is a “restart” if the FI has passed RE40_07 (updated RU address/phone). Any
break off prior to or at RE40_07 should wipe out all the data and assume that the case
wasn’t worked for that session.
⦁ Exit the case, but don’t save data for current session. This includes any new RU
member respondent, proxy, or merged DU member who may have been selected as the
respondent (it is not saved).
⦁ For next start/restart, start with the exact data you started this session with.
⦁ If FI Breakoffs prior to or at RE40_07, display the following message: “The data for
this interviewing session will not be saved.” BFOS will handle cleaning out the data for
the case.

ST - Page 3 of 24

MEPSSpring2023

Start/Restart (ST) Section
(Rout

Full Detail Spec

ST10
Item Type:

(ST1010)
Question

Type Class:

Enumerated

Answer Type:

TNEWYN

Help Available (

BLAISE NAME: CorrectCase
Field kind: Datafield
ArrayMin:

Min value:

Field Size:
Answers allowed: 1

)

Show Card (

ArrayMax:

)

Max value:

Look Up File (

Question Text:
YOU HAVE SELECTED THE {STUDENT RU} CASE FOR {FULL NAME OF REFERENCE PERSON}. THE RU
MEMBERS ARE LISTED BELOW.
[1. First Name [Middle Name] Last Name]1
[2. First Name [Middle Name] Last Name]2
[3. First Name [Middle Name] Last Name]3
[4. First Name [Middle Name] Last Name]4
[5. First Name [Middle Name] Last Name]N
HAVE YOU SELECTED THE CORRECT CASE?
IF YOU HAVE SELECTED THE WRONG CASE, PRESS ALT+F10 TO BREAKOFF AND RETURN TO THE IMS.

Responses:

YES

1

ST - Page 4 of 24

)

MEPSSpring2023

Start/Restart (ST) Section
(Ques

Full Detail Spec

Programmer
Instructions:

If coded ‘1’ (YES), set FieldPeriod to current data model field period.
If coded ‘1’ (YES), and case is a restart after the RE section has been completed, continue
with ST20. Otherwise, go to ST30.

Display
Instructions:

Roster 1 – Report
This item displays RU-members-roster for display of RU-members. Display RU member's
First, Middle, and Last names (Person[i].FullName).
Roster filter:
None. Display all RU members.
Display ‘STUDENT RU’ if student RU. Otherwise, use null display.
For ‘{FULL NAME OF REFERENCE PERSON}’ display the full name of previous round
reference person if standard RU or student RU. Display full name of oldest person in RU, if
new RU.

Testing/Editing
Notes:

ST20
Item Type:
Type Class:
Answer Type:

Help Available (

Variable collected at MEPS(Fall/Spring)YYYY.ST
Variable stored at MEPS(Fall/Spring)YYYY.ST

(ST1015)
Question
Enumerated
TYES_NO

)

BLAISE NAME: SameResp
Field kind: Datafield

ArrayMin:

Min value:

Field Size:
Answers allowed: 1

ArrayMax:

Max value:

Show Card (

)

Look Up File (

)

Question Text:
IS {NAME OF RESPONDENT/PROXY SELECTED DURING LAST SESSION} STILL THE {RESPONDENT/PROXY} ?
{IF ‘YES’ SELECTED, ‘YOU’ WILL BE DISPLAYED FOR {NAME OF RESPONDENT SELECTED DURING LAST
SESSION} THROUGHOUT INTERVIEW.}

Responses:

YES
NO

1
2

ST - Page 5 of 24

ST65
ST30

(ST1037)
(ST1020)

MEPSSpring2023
Full Detail Spec

Programmer
Instructions:

Start/Restart (ST) Section
(Ques

Refused and Don’t Know disallowed.
Flag Respondent/Proxy from most recent interviewing session for this round as the respondent
for the current interviewing session.
Set CARI recording status to the same status as the previous session with this
respondent/proxy.

Display
Instructions:

For ‘NAME OF RESPONDENT/PROXY SELECTED DURING LAST SESSION’, display
the name of the respondent or proxy associated with the most recent interviewing session for
this round.
Display ‘RESPONDENT’ if the most recent interviewing session for this round listed an RU
member in the RespID field. Otherwise, display ‘PROXY’.
Display ‘IF ‘YES’ SELECTED, ‘YOU’ WILL BE DISPLAYED FOR {NAME OF
RESPONDENT SELECTED DURING LAST SESSION} THROUGHOUT INTERVIEW.’
if the most recent interviewing session for this round listed an RU member in the RespID
field. Otherwise, use a null display.

Testing/Editing
Notes:

Variable collected at MEPS(Fall/Spring)YYYY.ST
Variable stored at MEPS(Fall/Spring)YYYY.ST

ST - Page 6 of 24

MEPSSpring2023

Start/Restart (ST) Section
(Ques

Full Detail Spec
ST30
Item Type:
Type Class:
Answer Type:

(ST1020)
Question
Enumerated

BLAISE NAME: RespRoster
Field kind: Datafield

Field Size:
TRNAMEIDSEXAGE Answers allowed: 1

Help Available (RespondentHelp)

ArrayMin:

Min value:

ArrayMax:

Max value:

Show Card (

)

Look Up File (

)

Question Text:
SELECT THE RESPONDENT. RESPONDENT SHOULD BE 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER AND THE
PERSON MOST KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT THE RU’S HEALTH CARE.
HELP: F1

Responses:

{FIRST NAME [MIDDLE NAME] LAST
NAME} is a {AGE} - year-old {SEX} part of
{RUID},1
{FIRST NAME [MIDDLE NAME] LAST
NAME} is a {AGE} - year-old {SEX} part of
{RUID},2
{FIRST NAME [MIDDLE NAME] LAST
NAME} is a {AGE} - year-old {SEX} part of
{RUID},3
{FIRST NAME [MIDDLE NAME] LAST
NAME} is a {AGE} - year-old {SEX} part of
{RUID},4
{FIRST NAME [MIDDLE NAME] LAST
NAME} is a {AGE} - year-old {SEX} part of
{RUID},N
{RESPONDENT NOT LISTED}
PROXY APPROVED BY SUPERVISOR

1

2

3

4

5

98
99

ST - Page 7 of 24

ST35
ST40

(ST1023)
(ST1025)

MEPSSpring2023

Start/Restart (ST) Section
(Ques

Full Detail Spec

Programmer
Instructions:

If person selected is a current RU member, go to ST65. This RU member should be set as the
respondent (RespID) for this interview session.
If person selected is a DU member (but not part of this RU the previous round), continue with
ST33. Do not mark the DU member as the respondent or most recent RU yet. That will be
determined at ST33.
Roster behavior:
1. Only single select or single add allowed.
2. No edit or delete allowed.
Soft checks:
1. If a preloaded RU member under 18 or in age categories 1-4 is selected as the respondent,
display message "RESPONDENT < 18. S/HE MUST BE APPROVED BY SUPERVISOR.
RESELECT TO VERIFY."
2. If a preloaded RU member's age is Refused, Don't Know, or Missing and is selected as the
respondent, display message: "VERIFY RESPONDENT IS 18 YEARS OF AGE OR
OLDER. IF LESS THAN 18, S/HE MUST BE APPROVED BY SUPERVISOR.
RESELECT TO VERIFY."
3. If current round is the final round of the panel (RndType=Final) and if an RU member who
was previously institutionalized is selected as the respondent, display message: "{PERSON}
WAS INSTITUTIONALIZED IN THE PRIOR ROUND. CONFIRM {PERSON} LEFT
INSTITUTION BEFORE 12/31/{YEAR}. IF
{HE/SHE} LEFT THE INSTITUTION AFTER 12/31/{YEAR}, SELECT ANOTHER
RESPONDENT OR SELECT PROXY APPROVED BY SUPERVISOR AND ADD THIS
PERSON AS A PROXY.", where ‘YEAR’ is the calendar year of the final round of the panel
(InterviewDate Year-1).
Hard check:
1. If ST20 is coded ‘2’ (NO) and same person selected as respondent as in previous
interviewing session (e.g., that person’s name was displayed as respondent at ST20), display
message: "IF SAME RESPONDENT AS PREVIOUS INTERVIEWING SESSION, BACKUP TO ST20 (SameResp) AND CORRECT RESPONSE."
2. If case is a restart and the RE section has been completed, person selected as the
respondent cannot have already been marked as having left the RU prior to the interview date
(i.e., deceased, institutionalized, FT military outside US, FT military inside US, FT military
alone, not FT military outside US, Student outside US, whereabouts unknown)
(CtrlTrackSumm=1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13). If person selected as respondent, display the
following message: “{PERSON} MARKED AS {DECEASED/NOT LIVING IN
HOUSEHOLD ON INTERVIEW DATE}. MAKE ANOTHER SELECTION.” Substitute
RU member selected for {PERSON}. Display ‘DECEASED’ if person’s CtrlTrackSumm=1,
otherwise display ‘NOT LIVING IN HOUSEHOLD ON INTERVIEW DATE’.

Display
Instructions:

Roster 2 – no add/edit/delete
Roster definition for Standard RUs and NewStandard RUs:
⦁ The first time the case is launched (no previous re-starts), the roster at ST30 displays
the DU-Members-Roster for selection.
⦁ Roster filter: None, display all DU members.
ST - Page 8 of 24

MEPSSpring2023
Full Detail Spec

Start/Restart (ST) Section
(Ques

⦁ The option for “RESPONDENT NOT LISTED” should be available.
⦁ The option for “PROXY APPROVED BY SUPERVISOR” should be
available.
After a re-start (in RE), the roster at ST30 changes definitions:
⦁ If RE520 does not have a response, use the same roster definition as above, prefilling
the responses to ST with the answers given previously.
⦁ If RE520 is ‘2’ (NO) ‘RF’ (REFUSED) or ‘DK’ (DON’T KNOW) or RE530 has a
response: display the current RU-members-roster as it stands (not the full DU roster).
Roster filter: None, display all RU members, including any new persons who have been
added to the RU during the earlier session(s).
⦁ RU members marked as having left the RU prior to the interview date (i.e.,
deceased, institutionalized, FT military outside US, FT military inside US, FT
military alone, not FT military outside US, Student outside US, whereabouts
unknown) (CtrlTrackSumm=1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13) should be displayed in
grayed out text.
⦁ The option for “PROXY APPROVED BY SUPERVISOR.” is available.
⦁ The option for “RESPONDENT NOT LISTED” IS NOT AVAILABLE.
Roster definition for Standard RUs and NewStandard RUs AFTER the RE_Wall:
⦁ Display the current RU-members-roster as finalized in RE (e.g., all persons included in
the Person array; no longer display the DU roster).
⦁ The option for “PROXY APPROVED BY SUPERVISOR.” is available.
⦁ The option for “RESPONDENT NOT LISTED” IS NOT AVAILABLE.
⦁ New Persons added during ST or during RE should also display (if they are part of the
Person array for this RU).
⦁ With the exception of the following, any current RU member should be allowed to be
selected as the respondent (not just a person added in ST).
⦁ RU members marked as having left the RU prior to the interview date (i.e.,
deceased, institutionalized, FT military outside US, FT military inside US, FT
military alone, not FT military outside US, Student outside US, whereabouts
unknown) (CtrlTrackSumm=1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13) should be displayed in
grayed out text.
Roster definition for Student RUs and NewStudent RUs (both before and after the
RE_Wall):
⦁ The roster should display only the student who is part of this RU and the option for
“PROXY APPROVED BY SUPERVISOR.”
For “AGE”, display person's age calculated according to age calculation specifications in the
GL section.
For “SEX”, display person's sex as collected during previous interview. For “RUID”, display
the RUID associated with this person. If person is marked as PriorRndInelig=Yes, the RUID
will not display.

ST - Page 9 of 24

MEPSSpring2023

Start/Restart (ST) Section
(Ques

Full Detail Spec
ST33
Item Type:
Type Class:
Answer Type:

Help Available (

(ST1022)
Question
Enumerated

BLAISE NAME: RespNonRU
Field kind: Datafield

Field Size:
TYESNODUMEMBE Answers allowed: 1

)

Show Card (

ArrayMin:

Min value:

ArrayMax:

Max value:

)

Look Up File (

)

Question Text:
YOU SELECTED {PERSON} WHO WAS NOT PART OF THIS RU THE LAST ROUND.
IS {PERSON} CURRENTLY LIVING AS PART OF {{NHIS REFERENCE PERSON}’S/ {REFERENCE
PERSON}’S} HOUSEHOLD OR IS {PERSON} ACTING AS A PROXY RESPONDENT?
IF YOU SELECT OPTION 1, {PERSON} WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE ENTIRE INTERVEW AS AN RU
MEMBER.

Responses:

Programmer
Instructions:

YES, DU MEMBER {NOW} PART OF RU{LETTER} {PRIOR TO DEC 31}
NO, DU MEMBER FROM RU-{PRELOAD
LETTER} ACTING AS PROXY FOR RU{LETTER}
NEITHER

1

ST65

(ST1037)

2

ST40

(ST1025)

3

Refused and Don’t Know disallowed.
Do not allow a final response of code ‘3’ (NEITHER). If coded ‘3’, display the following
message: “BACK-UP TO ST30 (AuxRespRoster) TO SELECT A DIFFERENT
RESPONDENT.”
If coded ‘1’ (YES…), the DU member selected at ST30 should be added to current RUmembers-roster and set as the respondent (RespID) for this interview session.

Display
Instructions:

For “PERSON”, display the DU member selected at ST30. Display “NOW” if current round
is not the final round of the panel (RndType<>Final). Otherwise, use a null display. For
“LETTER”, display the letter of the RU being interviewed.
Display “PRIOR TO DEC 31” if current round is the final round of the panel
(RndType=Final). Otherwise, use a null display.
For “PRELOAD LETTER”, display the preloaded RU letter (PL_Person.MostRecentRU)
associated with the person selected at ST30.

ST - Page 10 of 24

MEPSSpring2023

Start/Restart (ST) Section
(Ques

Full Detail Spec
ST35
Item Type:
Type Class:
Answer Type:

Help Available (

(ST1023)
Question
Enumerated

BLAISE NAME: CurrentResp
Field kind: Datafield

Field Size:
TRUMEMORPROXY Answers allowed: 1

)

Show Card (

ArrayMin:

Min value:

ArrayMax:

Max value:

)

Look Up File (

)

Question Text:
IS THE CURRENT RESPONDENT A PERSON WHO IS NOW PART OF {{NHIS REFERENCE
PERSON}’S/ {REFERENCE PERSON}’S} HOUSEHOLD OR A PROXY APPROVED BY THE
SUPERVISOR?
IF YOU SELECT OPTION 1, THE NEW RU MEMBER WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE ENTIRE INTERVEW
AND SELECTED AS THE RESPONDENT.

Responses:

Programmer
Instructions:

RESPONDENT IS NEW RU MEMBER
RESPONDENT IS A PROXY APPROVED
BY SUPERVISOR

1
2

ST40

(ST1025)

Refused and Don’t Know disallowed.
If coded ‘1’ (RESPONDENT IS A NEW RU MEMBER) and current round is not the final
round of the panel (RndType<>Final), go to ST50.
If coded ‘1’ (RESPONDENT IS A NEW RU MEMBER) and current round is the final round
of the panel (RndType=Final), continue with ST37.

Display
Instructions:

ST - Page 11 of 24

MEPSSpring2023

Start/Restart (ST) Section
(Ques

Full Detail Spec
ST37
Item Type:
Type Class:
Answer Type:

Help Available (

(ST1024)
Question
Enumerated

BLAISE NAME: ProbeResp
Field kind: Datafield

Field Size:
TRESPJOINBEFDEC Answers allowed: 1

)

Show Card (

ArrayMin:

Min value:

ArrayMax:

Max value:

)

Look Up File (

)

Question Text:
PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS A ROUND {X} INTERVIEW. QUESTIONS ARE ASKED AS OF DEC 31, {YEAR}
RATHER THAN ‘TODAY’.
PROBE TO ENSURE THAT THE RU MEMBER ACTING AS THE RESPONDENT MOVED IN WITH THE
FAMILY BEFORE DECEMBER 31, {YEAR}.

Responses:

Programmer
Instructions:

RESPONDENT JOINED RU PRIOR TO
DEC 31
RESPONDENT DID NOT JOIN RU PRIOR
TO DEC 31

1

ST50

(ST1030)

2

Refused and Don’t Know disallowed.
Do not allow a final response of code ‘2’ (RESPONDENT DID NOT JOIN RU PRIOR TO
DEC 31). If coded ‘2’, display the following message: “BACK-UP TO ST35
(AuxCurrentResp) AND SELECT PROXY OR BACK-UP TO ST30 (AuxRespRoster) TO
SELECT A DIFFERENT RU MEMBER RESPONDENT.”

Display
Instructions:

For ‘YEAR’, display the calendar year of the final round of the panel (InterviewDate Year-1).

ST - Page 12 of 24

MEPSSpring2023

Start/Restart (ST) Section
(Ques

Full Detail Spec
ST40
Item Type:
Type Class:
Answer Type:

Help Available (

(ST1025)
Question
Enumerated

BLAISE NAME: CodeAllResnNotResp

TST40_RESPOPTS

Field kind: Datafield

ArrayMin:

Min value:

Field Size:
Answers allowed: 6

ArrayMax:

Max value:

)

Show Card (

)

Look Up File (

Question Text:
WHY IS A PROXY RESPONDENT NECESSARY?
ENTER ALL THAT APPLY

Responses:

Programmer
Instructions:

RU MEMBER(S) IS SERIOUSLY ILL
RU MEMBER(S) IS BLIND
RU MEMBER(S) CAN'T SPEAK OR HEAR
RU MEMBER(S) HAS A MEMORY OR
OTHER COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT
RU MEMBER(S) DECEASED
RU MEMBER(S) INSTITUTIONALIZED
TEMP RU: MISSED CHILD <16 (USE
ONLY WHEN INSTRUCTED)

1
2
3
4

ST60
ST60
ST60
ST60

(ST1035)
(ST1035)
(ST1035)
(ST1035)

5
6
7

ST60
ST60
ST60

(ST1035)
(ST1035)
(ST1035)

Refused and Don’t Know disallowed.

Display
Instructions:

Testing/Editing
Notes:

Variable collected at MEPS(Fall/Spring)YYYY.ST
Variable stored at MEPS(Fall/Spring)YYYY.ST

ST - Page 13 of 24

)

MEPSSpring2023

Start/Restart (ST) Section
(Ques

Full Detail Spec
ST50
Item Type:
Type Class:
Answer Type:

Help Available (

(ST1030)
Question
Enumerated

BLAISE NAME: AddNewRespRoster
Field kind: Datafield

Field Size:
TRNAMEIDSEXAGE Answers allowed: 1

)

Show Card (

ArrayMin:

Min value:

ArrayMax:

Max value:

)

Look Up File (

)

Question Text:
PRESS CTRL-A TO RECORD THE FIRST, MIDDLE, AND LAST NAME OF THE RESPONDENT WHO JOINED THE
RU.
CTRL-A: ADD
CTRL-E: EDIT
CTRL-D: DELETE

Responses:

{FIRST NAME [MIDDLE NAME] LAST
NAME} is a {AGE} - year-old {SEX} part of
{RUID},1
{FIRST NAME [MIDDLE NAME] LAST
NAME} is a {AGE} - year-old {SEX} part of
{RUID},2
{FIRST NAME [MIDDLE NAME] LAST
NAME} is a {AGE} - year-old {SEX} part of
{RUID},3
{FIRST NAME [MIDDLE NAME] LAST
NAME} is a {AGE} - year-old {SEX} part of
{RUID},4
{FIRST NAME [MIDDLE NAME] LAST
NAME} is a {AGE} - year-old {SEX} part of
{RUID},N
{RESPONDENT NOT LISTED}
PROXY APPROVED BY SUPERVISOR

1

2

3

4

5

98
99

ST - Page 14 of 24

MEPSSpring2023
Full Detail Spec

Programmer
Instructions:

Start/Restart (ST) Section
(Ques

Continue with ST55 for person added and selected at ST50.
Roster behavior:
1. Only single select or single add allowed.
2. Limited edit and delete allowed. RU members that have been “preloaded” for this case (RU
members that are from the NHIS or added to RU during interround processing
(PersAddedBetweenRnds=YES) or added the previous round) cannot be edited or deleted at
any person roster. Only newly added RU members that have been added at this screen during
the current interviewing session can be edited or deleted (except as described below when
add, edit, and delete are disallowed and not shown). FIs may back-up and return to this screen
to use edit or delete functionality, but may not edit or delete an RU member added at this
screen at any other person roster.
Hard check:
1. Do not allow any preloaded RU or DU member be selected. If a preloaded RU or DU
member is selected, display message: “TO SELECT {PERSON} AS RESPONDENT,
BACK-UP TO ST30 (RespRoster).”
2. If a person was added during this interviewing session [CREATEQ=ST50 and
OrigRnd=Current Round and DeleteFlg=empty], but was not selected at ST50 when
interviewer leaves the screen, display the following message: “YOU HAVE JUST ADDED
{PERSON}, BUT DID NOT SELECT (HIM/HER) AS THE RESPONDENT. IF NEWLY
ADDED PERSON IS NOT THE RESPONDENT, USE CTRL-D TO DELETE THAT
PERSON AND THEN SELECT/ADD THE CORRECT RESPONDENT. NEW RU
MEMBERS CAN BE ADDED AT RE520.” This message should NOT display after passing
RE520 (for an RU member added in an earlier session) or the RE Wall when you are in a
NEW interview session. After passing RE520 (and it's a new interview session), the display at
RE30 should display any newly added RU members including those added in ST or RE. Once
RE520 has a response, ST50 should never be on route.

Display
Instructions:

Roster 3 – add/edit/delete allowed Roster definition:
⦁ The first time the case is launched (no previous re-starts), the roster at ST50 is
displays
the DU-Members-Roster for selection. Roster filter: None, display all DU members.
However, this same definition is used when ST50 is on path (which is only until
RE520
has a response). After RE520 has a response, ST50 is no longer on path.
For “AGE”, display person's age calculated according to age calculation
specifications in the
GL section.
For “SEX”, display person's sex as collected during previous interview. For “RUID”,
display
the RUID associated with this person. If person is marked as PriorRndInelig=Yes,
the RUID
will not display.
When CTRL-A selected, display the following customized question wording in the
pop-up at
ST50: ENTER NAME OF RU MEMBER RESPONDENT.
VERIFY RESPONDENT IS 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER. IF LESS THAN 18,
S/HE MUST BE
ST - Page 15 of 24

MEPSSpring2023

Start/Restart (ST) Section
(Ques

Full Detail Spec

APPROVED BY SUPERVISOR.
May I have your full name? VERIFY SPELLING.
IF NO MIDDLE NAME OR INITIAL, LEAVE FIELD BLANK.
Display “ENTER NAME OF RU MEMBER RESPONDENT” and “May I have
your full name?
VERIFY SPELLING.” in lighter "grayed-out" text when cursor in middle name or
last name
entry field. Display “IF NO MIDDLE NAME OR INITIAL, LEAVE FIELD
BLANK.” when cursor in
middle name entry field.
Display "VERIFY RESPONDENT IS 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER. IF LESS THAN 18,
S/HE MUST BE APPROVED BY SUPERVISOR." in red when on any entry field in the
pop-up.

Testing/Editing
Notes:

Variable collected at MEPS(Fall/Spring)YYYY.ST
Variable stored at MEPS(Fall/Spring)YYYY.ST

ST55
Item Type:

(ST1032)
Question

Type Class:

Enumerated

Answer Type:

TVERIFYRESP

Help Available (

)

BLAISE NAME: VerifyResp
Field kind: Datafield
ArrayMin:

Min value:

Field Size:
Answers allowed: 1

Show Card (

ArrayMax:

)

Max value:

Look Up File (

Question Text:
YOU’VE IDENTIFIED {PERSON} AS THE HOUSEHOLD RESPONDENT. IS THIS CORRECT?

Responses:

{PERSON} IS HOUSEHOLD RESPONDENT
{PERSON} IS NOT HOUSEHOLD
RESPONDENT

1
2

ST - Page 16 of 24

ST65

(ST1037)

)

MEPSSpring2023

Start/Restart (ST) Section
(Ques

Full Detail Spec

Programmer
Instructions:

Refused and Don’t Know disallowed.
Do not allow a final response of code ‘2’ ({PERSON} IS NOT HOUSEHOLD
RESPONDENT). If coded ‘2’, display the following message: “BACK-UP AND REVIEW
RESPONSES. IF {PERSON} IS ACTING AS A PROXY, DELETE PERSON AT ST50
(AddNewRespRoster), AND CHANGE RESPONSE AT ST35 (CurrentResp). IF PERSON
IS A NEW RU MEMBER BUT NOT THE RESPONDENT, DELETE PERSON AT ST50
(AddNewRespRoster), AND THEN SELECT CORRECT RESPONDENT AT ST30
(RespRoster). NEW RU MEMBERS CAN BE ADDED AT RE520.”
If coded ‘1’ ({PERSON} IS HOUSEHOLD RESPONDENT), add person to RU-membersroster. This RU member should be set as the respondent (RespID) for this interview session.

Display
Instructions:

BLAISE NAME: ProxyRoster
Field kind: Datafield
ArrayMin:

ST60
Item Type:

(ST1035)
Question

Type Class:

Enumerated

Answer Type:

TFIRSTMIDLASTNA Answers allowed: 1

Min value:

Field Size:

Help Available (RespondentHelp)

ArrayMax:

Show Card (

)

Max value:

Look Up File (

)

Question Text:
SELECT {OR ADD {PERSON} AS} PROXY.
TO ADD A NEW PROXY APPROVED BY SUPERVISOR, PRESS CTRL-A.
CTRL-A: ADD
CTRL-E: EDIT
CTRL-D: DELETE
HELP: F1

Responses:

{FIRST NAME [MIDDLE NAME] LAST
NAME}1
{FIRST NAME [MIDDLE NAME] LAST
NAME}2
{FIRST NAME [MIDDLE NAME] LAST
NAME}3
{FIRST NAME [MIDDLE NAME] LAST
NAME}4
{FIRST NAME [MIDDLE NAME] LAST
NAME}N

1

ST65

(ST1037)

2

ST65

(ST1037)

3

ST65

(ST1037)

4

ST65

(ST1037)

5

ST65

(ST1037)

ST - Page 17 of 24

MEPSSpring2023

Start/Restart (ST) Section
(Ques

Full Detail Spec

Programmer
Instructions:

Roster behavior:
1. Only single select or single add allowed.
2. Roster has an upper limit of 10 proxy names.
3. Limited edit and delete allowed. Proxies that have been “preloaded” for this case (proxies
that are from the previous round) cannot be edited or deleted. Newly added proxies during
the current interviewing session may only be edited or deleted at ST60. FIs may back up and
return to this screen to use edit or delete functionality.
4. Set a three-byte proxy identifier (P01, P02, etc.) for the person added/selected as a proxy.
Hard check:
If ST20 is coded ‘2’ (NO) and same proxy is selected as in previous interviewing session
(e.g., that person’s name was displayed as proxy at ST20), display message: “IF SAME
PROXY AS PREVIOUS INTERVIEWING SESSION, BACK-UP TO ST20 (SameResp)
AND CORRECT RESPONSE.”
NOTE: The DU roster is only displayed when adding RU member respondents. A DU
member can be added as a new proxy respondent, but it will be without a link to the DUMembers-Roster.

Display
Instructions:

Display “OR ADD {PERSON} AS” if ST33 is coded ‘2’ (NO, DU MEMBER FROM RU-{PRELOAD
LETTER} ACTING AS PROXY FOR RU-{LETTER}). Otherwise, use a null display.
For “PERSON”, display the DU member selected at ST30.
Roster 3 – add/edit/delete allowed Roster definition:
This item displays RU-Proxy-Roster for selection of proxy.
Roster filter:
None
When CTRL-A selected, display the following customized question wording in the pop-up:
ENTER NAME OF PROXY RESPONDENT.
May I have your full name? VERIFY SPELLING.
IF NO MIDDLE NAME OR INITIAL, LEAVE FIELD BLANK.
Display “ENTER NAME OF PROXY RESPONDENT” and “May I have your full name? VERIFY
SPELLING.” in lighter "grayed-out" text when cursor in middle name or last name entry field. Display
“IF NO MIDDLE NAME OR INITIAL, LEAVE FIELD BLANK.” when cursor in middle name entry
field.

Testing/Editing
Notes:

Variable collected at MEPS(Fall/Spring)YYYY.ST
Variable stored at MEPS(Fall/Spring)YYYY.ST

ST - Page 18 of 24

MEPSSpring2023

Start/Restart (ST) Section
(Ques

Full Detail Spec
ST65
Item Type:

(ST1037)
Question
Enumerated

Type Class:
Answer Type:

TSessionMode

Help Available (

BLAISE NAME: SessionMode
Field kind: Datafield

ArrayMin:

Min value:

Field Size:
Answers allowed: 1

ArrayMax:

Max value:

)

Show Card (

)

Look Up File (

)

Question Text:
HOW ARE YOU CONDUCTING THIS {SESSION OF THE} INTERVIEW?

Responses:

IN-PERSON
BY TELEPHONE
BY VIDEO (CAVI)

Programmer
Instructions:

Refused and Don’t Know disallowed.

Display
Instructions:

BOX_20

1
2
3

BOX_20
BOX_20
BOX_20

(ST1038)
(ST1038)
(ST1038)

Display “SESSION OF THE” if this is the second or later interview session. Otherwise (i.e.,
first interview session), use a null display.

(ST1038)

Item Type: Route

Type Class: If Then

ST - Page 19 of 24

MEPSSpring2023

Start/Restart (ST) Section
(Rout

Full Detail Spec

Programmer
Instructions:

If ST20 is on route and coded ‘1’ (YES), go to ST80.

If current respondent has been a respondent before (PL_Person.EverRespondent=YES or
PL_Proxy.EverRespondent=YES), go to ST70.

Otherwise, continue with ST67.

ST67
Item Type:

(ST1039)
Question

Type Class:

Enumerated

Answer Type:

TContinue

Help Available (

)

BLAISE NAME: InformPart
Field kind: Datafield
ArrayMin:

Min value:

Field Size:
Answers allowed: 1

ArrayMax:

Show Card (ST-1)

Max value:

Look Up File (

Question Text:
ST-1
{{HAND/SHOW} R THE “
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR PARTICIPATION IN MEPS”

DOCUMENT
{ FROM THE ONLINE SHOW CARD SCREEN}./INSTRUCT R TO PULL UP SHOW CARD ST-1 FROM THE MEPS
WEBSITE.}

This document describes the purpose of this research, how the data are used, and how the confidentiality of your information
is protected. Please take a minute to read it and then I’
ll continue unless you have any questions about the study.

{IF R IS NOT USING SHOW CARDS, PRESS F7 AND READ CARD TO R.}

PRESS 1 AND ENTER TO CONTINUE.

Responses:

CONTINUE

1

ST - Page 20 of 24

ST70

(ST1040)

)

MEPSSpring2023

Start/Restart (ST) Section
(Ques

Full Detail Spec

Programmer
Instructions:

Display
Instructions:

Display ‘{HAND/SHOW} R ... DOCUMENT}.’ if ST65 is coded ‘1’ (IN-PERSON) or ‘3’ (BY
VIDEO). Display ‘HAND’ if ST65 is coded ‘1’ (IN-PERSON). Display ‘SHOW’ if ST65 is coded ‘3’
(BY VIDEO). Display ‘ FROM THE ONLINE SHOW CARD SCREEN’ if ST65 is coded ‘3’ (BY
VIDEO). Otherwise, use a null display. Display ‘INSTRUCT R TO PULL UP ... MEPS WEBSITE.’ if
ST65 is coded ‘2’ (TELEPHONE).

Display ‘IF R IS NOT USING SHOW CARDS, PRESS F7 AND READ CARD TO R.’ if ST65 is
coded ‘2’ (TELEPHONE). Otherwise, use a null display.

ST70
Item Type:
Type Class:

(ST1040)
Question

Answer Type:

TQuaCntrl

Enumerated

Help Available (ForQCHelp)

BLAISE NAME: ForQC
Field kind: Datafield
ArrayMin:
Field Size:
Answers allowed: 1

ArrayMax:

Show Card (

Min value:
Max value:

)

Look Up File (

)

Question Text:
Some of this interview will be recorded for quality control purposes. I'd like to continue now, unless you have any questions.
IF THE RESPONDENT HAS QUESTIONS, PLEASE PRESS F1 TO REFER TO THE FAQS IN THE HELP SCREEN.
HELP: F1

Responses:

CONTINUE WITH RECORDING
CONTINUE, RECORDING REFUSED

1
2

ST - Page 21 of 24

BOX_30
BOX_30

(ST1045)
(ST1045)

MEPSSpring2023

Start/Restart (ST) Section
(Ques

Full Detail Spec

If ‘CONTINUE WITH RECORDING’, set CARI recording status to ON for the
respondent/proxy selected for this interviewing session.

Programmer
Instructions:

If ‘CONTINUE, RECODING REFUSED’, set CARI recording status to OFF for the
respondent/proxy selected for this interviewing session.

Display
Instructions:

Variable collected at MEPS(Fall/Spring)YYYY.ST
Variable stored at MEPS(Fall/Spring)YYYY.ST

Testing/Editing
Notes:

BOX_30

(ST1045)

Route Details:

Type Class: If Then

Item Type: Route

If case is a restart after the RE section has been completed, continue with ST80.

Otherwise, go to BOX_40.

ST80
Item Type:

(ST1050)
Instruction

Type Class:

Enumerated

Answer Type:

TContinue

Help Available (

)

BLAISE NAME: EndSTSection
Field kind: Datafield
Answers allowed: 1

Show Card (

)

Look Up File (

Question Text:
CAPI WILL NOW TAKE YOU TO THE QUESTION YOU LEFT OFF AT DURING THE LAST INTERVIEWING
SESSION.
PRESS F2 TO REVIEW WHAT HAS HAPPENED SO FAR IN INTERVIEW.
PRESS 1 AND ENTER TO CONTINUE.

Responses:

CONTINUE

1

ST - Page 22 of 24

BOX_40

(ST1055)

)

MEPSSpring2023

Start/Restart (ST) Section
(Instr

Full Detail Spec

Display
Instructions:

Testing/Editing
Notes:

BOX_40

Route Details:

Variable collected at MEPS(Fall/Spring)YYYY.ST
Variable stored at MEPS(Fall/Spring)YYYY.ST

(ST1055)

Item Type: Route

Type Class: If Then

1. If interview is a restart after the RE section, go to the field in CAPI interview where
most recent break-off occurred.
2. If interview is a restart during the RE section (e.g., RE is not yet completed) and RU is a
Student RU go to the field in the RE section where most recent break-off occurred.
3. If interview is a restart during the RE section (e.g., RE is not yet completed) and RU is a
New RU or a Standard RU, go to:
⦁ If single person RU, go to the first unanswered question in the RE section.
⦁ If preloaded number of RU members, excluding persons who were institutionalized
at the time of the last interview (InstAtTimeOfPrevint=Yes) is >1, and break-off
occurred prior to the completion of LOOP_20 (if LOOP_20 was on route), go to RE310.
Otherwise, go to the field in the RE section where most recent break-off occurred. If
any answers now fail the Blaise “rules” (e.g., because you’ve now selected a
respondent that you previously said left the RU), go to the first place where the rules
failed.
Otherwise, go to RE-A.

ST - Page 23 of 24

MEPSSpring2023

Start/Restart (ST) Section
(Rout

Full Detail Spec

Programmer
Instructions:

CAPI sets a value to determine who the respondent is for the current interview session and
whether that person is an RU member or proxy. Those fields are ST.Respondent and
RespondentPersID.
If ST30 (RespRoster)= 99 (Proxy approved by supervisor)
OR
If ST33 (RespNonRU)=2 (DU member acting as proxy)
OR
If ST35 (CurrentResp)=2 (Respondent is a proxy),
Then set ST.Respondent=2 (RespProxy). Else, set ST.Respondent=1 (RespRUMem).
RespondentPersID should be set to the RespID for the most current interview session.

[End of ST]

ST - Page 24 of 24