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OH on November 21–23, 2002. Classrooms were led by "master trainers" with assistance from
other experienced project staff. The groups reviewed the Veteran training guide and materials as
well as logistics for the January sessions.
The master trainers were RDs and other members of the management staff or
Instrumentation Team. These master trainers attended a two-day Master Trainers session at RTI
on October 29-30, 2002 to learn about the Veteran training program and the expectations for the
Training-the-Trainers session.
During the three-day session in November, master trainers briefed the training teams on
the veteran training program and gave a presentation on training etiquette. Trainers for January
then presented their assigned sections of the guide to the classroom. Presenting to this group
allowed for multiple classrooms to review the content and test the accuracy of the guide and the
training program, submitting comments to the Instrumentation Team for consideration when
making revisions. Most importantly, having the January trainers actually train gave them the
opportunity to focus on their presentation style and mastery of the material.
5.3.4 Content of Veteran Field Interviewer Training Sessions
5.3.4.1 Day 1
Day 1 began with some actual study results from the 2001 survey followed by a brief
presentation of data collection experiences from the 2002 survey, including response rates, costs,
and data quality results. After an overview of the changes for 2003, trainers focused on the "Art
of Communication," covering different communication types and styles and how they relate to
NSDUH interviewing. This two and one-half hour session included numerous interactive
activities designed to increase awareness and communication skills. The next topic was data
quality, which included detailed reviews of various NSDUH protocols and procedures noted
through field observations to sometimes be problematic. Day 1 concluded with interviewers
switching rooms to mingle with staff from other teams to attend a session of their choice. The
first option was a group discussion of ways to deal with households where finding someone at
home is a challenge, while the other session had trainees proving their knowledge of the various
project materials by participating in two exercises.
5.3.4.2 Day 2
Day 2 began with details of the 2003 changes for the Newton and for the CAI instrument.
Next the FI computer equipment was returned and a practice screening and interview exercise
completed. The next discussion section looked at obtaining cooperation from a slightly different
point of view, focusing on persuasion skills. Next, trainers presented important information
about resource management, and then wrapped up the second day of training by issuing an openbook
post-training test.
5.3.4.3 Day 3
To begin the last training morning, FSs selected and led one of three workshops to spend
more time on a topic where the region could use some improvement. Workshop choices included
Planning Field Visits; FI Presentations, in which small groups prepared and gave presentations
on a variety of NSDUH topics; and It All Ads Up, in which small groups prepared and presented
commercials designed to encourage NSDUH participation. The remainder of the training
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