0648-0759 Ssb

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

U.S. Department of Commerce

National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration

North Pacific Observer Safety and Security Survey

OMB Control No. 0648-0759

SUPPORTING STATEMENT PART B

Agencies are instructed to complete Supporting Statement Part B if they are using statistical methods, such as sampling, imputation, or other statistical estimation techniques; most research collections or program evaluations should also complete Part B. If an agency is planning to conduct a sample survey as part of its information collection, Part B of the ICR supporting statement must be completed, and an agency should also complete relevant portions of Part B when conducting a census survey (collections that are sent to the entire universe or population under study). For example, an agency doing a census of a small, well-defined population may not need to describe sampling procedures requested in Part B, but it should address what pretesting has taken place, what its data collection procedures are, how it will maximize response rates, and how it will deal with missing unit and item data.

Agencies conducting qualitative research studies or program evaluations, including case studies or focus groups, should also complete the relevant sections of Part B to provide a more complete description of the use of the information and the methods for collecting the information.

B. Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods

1. Describe (including a numerical estimate) the potential respondent universe and any sampling or other respondent selection method to be used. Data on the number of entities (e.g., establishments, State and local government units, households, or persons) in the universe covered by the collection and in the corresponding sample are to be provided in tabular form for the universe as a whole and for each of the strata in the proposed sample. Indicate expected response rates for the collection as a whole. If the collection had been conducted previously, include the actual response rate achieved during the last collection.

Approximately 373 observers deployed under the North Pacific Observer Program in 2024. These 373 observers will be targeted as the respondents. No random sampling will be done; this survey will be a census as the entire population of observers who deployed in 2024 will be provided the opportunity to take the survey. Previous collections of this survey yielded a 25% response rate. To encourage greater participation, respondents will receive reminder emails once a month for the entire 4 month window that the survey is collecting responses. The email will detail the current response rate. The survey will also be discussed when observers take their annual recertification training. With these efforts to increase the response rate, a 75% response rate with 280 completed surveys is anticipated. A response rate lower than 80% will still be adequate for the purpose of this survey as this survey is focused on individual experiences.

0. Describe the procedures for the collection of information including

• Statistical methodology for stratification and sample selection,

• Estimation procedure,

• Degree of accuracy needed for the purpose described in the justification,

• Unusual problems requiring specialized sampling procedures, and

• Any use of periodic (less frequent than annual) data collection cycles to reduce burden.

This collection is a census, therefore there will be no stratification or sample selection. Respondents have 3 responses to choose from for each question. Gender, age groups and employer will be considered as possible factors impacting responses. In previous collections, only gender increased affirmative responses. Using a confidence interval of 95%, a margin of error will be calculated. Respondents will be reminded and encouraged to take the survey to increase the response rate and lower the margin of error. This is a census survey and no specialized sampling needs to be conducted. The collection will be annual, with no anticipated change in frequency as the intent is to understand experiences from a previous year.

0. Describe methods to maximize response rates and to deal with issues of non-response. The accuracy and reliability of information collected must be shown to be adequate for intended uses. For collections based on sampling, a special justification must be provided for any collection that will not yield "reliable" data that can be generalized to the universe studied.

The Office of Law Enforcement provides training to all observers during The North Pacific Observer Program’s initial training for observer certification. Training is also provided to returning observers during their annual recertification training. This exposure builds rapport and provides an opportunity to educate the observers on the survey and the importance of participation. Observers will be notified that the survey is intended to understand the frequency of behavior towards observers that create an unsafe and hostile work environment. Observers will also be notified that the survey also seeks to understand the barriers that prevent a person from disclosing their experience. Based on the results of the survey, the Office of Law Enforcement will adapt training, outreach and operational efforts to address the rate of unsafe and hostile work environments.

0. Describe any tests of procedures or methods to be undertaken. Testing is encouraged as an effective means of refining collections of information to minimize burden and improve utility. Tests must be approved if they call for answers to identical questions from 10 or more respondents. A proposed test or set of tests may be submitted for approval separately or in combination with the main collection of information.

This survey has been previously conducted, as such, no refining of the survey tools was deemed necessary.

0. Provide the name and telephone number of individuals consulted on statistical aspects of the design and the name of the agency unit, contractor(s), grantee(s), or other person(s) who will actually collect and/or analyze the information for the agency.

Jaclyn Smith, 907-271-1869.

Articles consulted:

1. National Institute of Justice & Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Prevalence, Incidence and Consequences of Violence Against Women Survey (1998).

2. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics, Rape and Sexual Victimization Among College-Aged Females, 1995-2013 (2014).

3. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics, Female Victims of Sexual Violence, 1994-2010 (2013).

4. D.S. Riggs, T. Murdock, W. Walsh, A prospective examination of post-traumatic stress disorder in rape victims. Journal of Traumatic Stress 455-475 (1992).

5. DG Kilpatrick, CN Edumuds, AK Seymour. Rape in America: A Report to the Nation. Arlington, VA: National Victim Center and Medical University of South Carolina (1992).

6. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics, Socio-emotional Impact of Violent Crime (2014).

7. Department of Defense, Fiscal Year 2014 Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military, (2015).