NPOS SS Part B 021218

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

North Pacific Observer Safety and Security Survey

OMB CONTROL NO. 0648-xxxx

B. COLLECTIONS OF INFORMATION EMPLOYING STATISTICAL METHODS

1. Describe (including a numerical estimate) the potential respondent universe and any sampling or other respondent selection method to be used. Data on the number of entities (e.g. establishments, State and local governmental units, households, or persons) in the universe and the corresponding sample are to be provided in tabular form. The tabulation must also include expected response rates for the collection as a whole. If the collection has been conducted before, provide the actual response rate achieved. 

Approximately 400 Alaska observers, potential respondents, are available for both 2016 and 2017. The survey will be made available to all possible respondents. Approximately 300 actual responses are expected.

2. Describe the procedures for the collection, including: the statistical methodology for stratification and sample selection; the estimation procedure; the degree of accuracy needed for the purpose described in the justification; any unusual problems requiring specialized sampling procedures; and any use of periodic (less frequent than annual) data collection cycles to reduce burden.

Survey results will be stratified, in order to compare response rates based on gender, age groups, and employer.

3. Describe the methods used to maximize response rates and to deal with nonresponse. The accuracy and reliability of the information collected must be shown to be adequate for the intended uses. For collections based on sampling, a special justification must be provided if they will not yield "reliable" data that can be generalized to the universe studied.

Alaska observers will be sent an email to explain the survey, with a link provided. In the meantime, informal outreach has been provided regarding the survey.

The Office of Law Enforcement provides training to all observers during The North Pacific Observer Program’s initial training for observer certification. Rapport is built during this training, and the Office of Law Enforcement interacts with observers in the field frequently. This working relationship, in conjunction with the Office of Law Enforcement’s active attempts to improve the safety and security of the observer work environment may compel observers to voluntarily participate in the survey. The survey itself contains questions that are brief, with a simple multiple choice response.

 4.   Describe any tests of procedures or methods to be undertaken.  Tests are encouraged as effective means to refine collections, but if ten or more test respondents are involved OMB must give prior approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act.

Trial runs with the survey were conducted with staff from the Office of Law Enforcement, staff from Sustainable Fisheries, and staff from the North Pacific Observer Program.

5.  Provide the name and telephone number of individuals consulted on the statistical aspects of the design, and the name of the agency unit, contractor(s), grantee(s), or other person(s) who will actually collect and/or analyze the information for the agency.

Jaclyn Smith, 907-271-1869.

Articles consulted:

1. National Institute of Justice & Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Prevalence, Incidence and Consequences of Violence Against Women Survey (1998).

2. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics, Rape and Sexual Victimization Among College-Aged Females, 1995-2013 (2014).

3. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics, Female Victims of Sexual Violence, 1994-2010  (2013).

4. D.S. Riggs, T. Murdock, W. Walsh, A prospective examination of post-traumatic stress disorder in rape victims. Journal of Traumatic Stress 455-475 (1992).

5. DG Kilpatrick, CN Edumuds, AK Seymour. Rape in America: A Report to the Nation. Arlington, VA: National Victim Center and Medical University of South Carolina (1992).

6. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics, Socio-emotional Impact of Violent Crime (2014).

7. Department of Defense, Fiscal Year 2014 Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military, (2015).