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6. Data Collection
This chapter presents the basic data collection procedures given to field staff working on
the 2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). For further details or specific
instructions, consult the 2003 NSDUH Field Interviewer Manual.
6.1 Contacting Dwelling Units
Interviewers were assigned specific screener dwelling units (SDUs) to contact with the
addresses or unit/location descriptions displayed on the Newton handheld computer. The sample
was released in partitions, with additional units made available as needed depending on progress
made during the initial weeks of data collection each quarter.
6.1.1 Lead Letter
Initial contact with residents of the specific SDUs was made through a lead letter which
gave a brief explanation of the nature of the study and its methods. The letter was printed on
Public Health Service (PHS)/Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) letterhead and
signed by both the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Assistant Project Officer and the RTI National Field Director.
For all SDUs with a complete address (i.e., not a location description), prepared letters
preprinted with the addresses were included with the assignment materials distributed to field
interviewers (FIs) each quarter. Interviewers reviewed all addresses to check that they could be
mailed, signed the letters, and mailed them via first class mail prior to and throughout the first
part of the quarter so that the letters arrived fairly close to the time the FI expected to be in the
area. Any SDUs lacking a complete mailing address were not sent a letter. To allow for these
cases and other instances of delivery problems, each interviewer had extra copies to give to
respondents during a personal visit. A copy of the letter, in both English and Spanish, was also
included in the Showcard Booklet for reference.
6.1.2 Initial Approach
Before knocking on the door of an SDU, the FI selected the appropriate case for that
specific unit on the Newton. Each FI possessed a personalized letter of authorization printed on
SAMHSA/DHHS letterhead authorizing the FI by name to work on the study, and approached
the door of the SDU with his/her RTI identification badge clearly visible. The FI also carried a
variety of information materials such as Question and Answer Brochures, NSDUH Highlights,
and copies of newspaper articles about NSDUH.
6.1.3 Introduction/Study Description/Informed Consent
When contacting the unit, the FI asked to speak with an adult resident (18 or older) of the
unit who could serve as the screening respondent. The FI introduced himself/herself and the
study. As scripted on the Newton screen, during the introduction the FI mentioned the lead letter
and gave the screening respondent the Study Description. The Study Description, which was also
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