National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2003: Full-Year Field Observation Report-Final

摘要

Beginning in the spring of 2001, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and RTI International staff conducted a few informal field observations of Field Interviewers (FIs) working National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) cases in the District of Columbia and North Carolina areas. The primary intent was to assess how closely FIs follow project protocols while completing fieldwork. Errors were prevalent enough to warrant further investigation. As a result, beginning in January 2002, nationwide field observations were begun. The purposes of these field observations included assessing and monitoring the nature and extent of screening and interviewing problems occurring in the field, and using the findings to improve training and field procedures in current and subsequent NSDUH surveys. In 2003, field observations were conducted during Quarters 2, 3, and 4. (Because of a delay in award of a contract modification, no field observations were conducted in Quarter 1 2003.) The 2003 field observations were conducted by NSDUH field management staff from both RTI and Headway. The design was to have these staff observe interviewers on 300 separate occasions with additional observations conducted by SAMHSA staff.