Examination of Data Collection Methods for the National Crime Victimization Survey

In 2007, BJS sponsored an expert panel study by The National Research Council of the National Academies of Science to review the National Crime Victimization Survey's (NCVS) methodology and provide recommendations for redesign options in conducting the NCVS. In its interim report, the panel stressed that BJS should carefully study potential changes in study design before incorporating them (Groves & Cork, 2008). BJS has initiated a methodological research program to support the redesign of the NCVS based on panel recommendations.

Under this award, RTI will conduct the following parallel studies and analyses: 1) an experiment using different data collection modes and incentives; 2) a study of mode bias; 3) an examination of the optimal number of persons to interview in each household; 4) an examination of the feasibility of using address-based samples to collect data in different modes; and 5) a pilot test of informed consent/assent procedures.

CA/NCF