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supervisors (FSs) were asked to handle the administrative tasks for the listers hired for their area.
These tasks included completion of the initial hiring process, segment assignment, managing the
timely completion of segments, and weekly approval of time and expense reports. For technical
supervision such as how to handle a specific segment, all listers contacted the C/L manager for
answers and advice.
Beginning in March 2002, FSs recruited listing staff from their existing staff of FIs.
Experienced listers not currently working as NSDUH interviewers were also available for hire. A
total of 363 listers were hired, certified, and worked from April through November 2002, to
complete C/L operations for the 2003 NSDUH.
All hired listers received a home study training package containing a memorandum and
materials including a project C/L manual; C/L videotape; hire letter; Data Collection Agreement;
2003 NSDUH C/L Project Specification Sheet; and a certification packet which included
questions about procedures as well as path-of-travel exercises. Staff had two weeks upon receipt
of this package to complete the certification test and return it to RTI for evaluation. Of the 388
training packages distributed, 12 hired listers did not pass the certification test. They received
feedback about their efforts including copies of the questions missed but were not allowed to
work as listers. An additional 13 certified listers did not actually complete any listing work.
A group of RTI survey specialists attended classroom training in June to learn C/L
procedures. Training included detailed instruction in proper C/L protocol and the completion of
actual segments selected for the State of North Carolina.
All certified listers received their bulk listing supplies. Newly certified listers were then
authorized to begin their C/L assignments. All listers sent their completed assignments directly to
the Sampling Department at RTI, where the assignments were carefully edited. To improve the
quality of the listing process, positive feedback as well as suggestions for improvement were
provided to all listers. Segments with significant errors were either refielded (for correction of
major errors) or were corrected by sampling staff through discussions with the lister. In some
cases, the lister returned to the segment to review the items in question.
2.3 Counting/Listing Procedures
Prior to the start of actual C/L field work, segment packets were assembled at RTI. Each
packet contained maps of the selected area, listing forms, and blank segment information sheets.
A copy of the maps remained at RTI for reference when assisting with problems encountered in
the field.
Beginning in April, segment kits were assigned and sent to those listers who had
completed the certification process and were ready to begin listing. Once the remaining staff
became certified, they received assignments as well. Listers recorded the address or description
of up to 400 DUs in each segment.
To reduce the time required to count and list segments, several procedures were
implemented to maximize efficiency. In many cases the "count" step was eliminated: the lister
could immediately list the segment unless during the initial trip around the boundaries of the
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