National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) Instrument Redesign and Testing Project

The National Crime Victimization Survey Instrument Redesign and Testing Project (NCVSIRTP) is to support the continuation of BJS’s evaluation, redesign, and testing of the NCVS screening and incident classification instruments. The NCVSIRTP is designed to provide scientific and technical support for the redesign and testing of the NCVS roster control card, crime screener (NCVS-1), and crime incident (NCVS-2) instruments in support of BJS’s efforts related to increasing the efficiency, reliability, and use of the NCVS. The NCVSIRTP has two primary goals: 1) modernize the NCVS instruments, including improving the victimization screener, flow and logic of the instrument, and measurement of rape and sexual assault; and 2) test the revised NCVS instrument design, including the impact of instrument changes on victimization estimates, and provide recommendations for full-scale implementation of the revised instrument design. Westat, in collaboration with BJS, has made significant progress on the NCVSIRTP deliverables since the beginning of the project in late 2013. The project team is currently working towards field test data collection preparations including, finalizing programming of the instruments, training field interviewers for the pilot test, conducting the pilot test, submitting to OMB to obtain approval to administer the field test, beginning to train the field interviewers for the field test, selecting the sample for the field test, and finalizing protocols for the field test.

The purpose of this award is to provide funding for the continuation of this project in order to complete the large-scale field test data collection and relevant activities. Funds from this award will be used for carrying forth the findings from the project so far to 1) complete training of the field interviewers for the field test; 2) conduct the field test of revised NCVS data collection instruments with a larger sample than originally planned to support the revised experimental design; 3) continue to support the TRP meetings; 4) produce the final report providing results of the field test based on the revised data collection package, identifying impact of instrument changes on national estimates, and providing recommendations maintaining series continuity, if changes affect rates; and 5) produce the final NCVS instruments and make recommendations for full-scale implementation of the revised NCVS instruments. Note: This project contains a research and/or development component, as defined by applicable law. NCA/NCF