NCSES - Request for approval of two tests for the Survey of Doctorate Recipients (SDR)

Attachment C: DIS Pilot Study One-Stage Dependent Interview (DI1) Questionnaire
Background
This document includes the Survey of Doctorate Recipients (SDR) DIS Pilot Study web
instrument information for the one-stage dependent interviewing (DI-1) approach. As a general
procedure within the DI instruments, respondents who are missing information for a given
question from the prior cycle will receive the INDI version of that item, but stay within the DI
instrument overall. For each DI item in the DI-1 instrument, the main difference from INDI is an
additional instruction requesting that they update the information shown from 201x to reflect
their current situation. Specifically, rather than the INDI approach in which the respondent is
asked about the current reference period without acknowledgement of how they have answered
the question in prior cycles, the one-stage DI-1 approach follows this format:
•

•
•
•
•

The respondent is told that the information displayed on the screen shows the responses
they provided in the 201x SDR for the particular item.
On the same screen, the respondent is asked to think about the current reference period
(September 1, 2020) and to make any updates to this information on the same screen.
If the displayed information has not changed and is still correct, the respondent is
instructed to select the box “Information has not changed since 201x.”
If the respondent leaves the screen without a change nor checking the “no change” box,
they receive a soft error message for the first two items in which the respondent leaves
the screen without indicating a response.
If the respondent did not answer the question in 201x, they are sent to the INDI version of
the particular question.

The table below lists the SDR items proposed for inclusion in the DIS Pilot Study. For each item,
the table shows whether the instrument will use dependent interviewing approach, if the
question is newly added for this test and the reason for including the item in the test.

In addition to the items listed below, the DIS Pilot Study instruments will also include the three
initial screens from the SDR web instrument: Introduction, Survey Information Screen, and an
Instruction screen. The introduction screen has been modified to inform respondents that this is
a test of methods to streamline the collection of employment information in the SDR, but the
other two screens will remain the same as in the 2019 SDR other than noting that the expected
time to complete the DIS Pilot Study survey is 15 minutes.
Questionnaire
Section

Uses DI approach
(shows prefill info)

V1

Yes

V2a

Yes

DIS Pilot
Study
specific?
Modified
for DI
approach
Modified
for DI
approach

Reason for inclusion in the DIS
Pilot Study
Sample person verification
Sample person verification

43

V2b

Yes

V2c

Yes

V4
SDR Item: A1

No
No

SDR Item: A9

Yes

SDR Item:
Reason – New

No

SDR Item:
When Leave –
New

No

SDR Item: A2

No

SDR Item: A3

No

SDR Item: A4

No

SDR Item: A5

No

SDR Item: A6

No

SDR Item: A8

No

SDR Item:
A8YY

No

Modified
for DI
approach
Modified
for DI
approach

New for
DIS Pilot
Study
New for
DIS Pilot
Study

SDR Item: A10 Yes
SDR Item: A11 Yes
SDR Item: A12 Yes
SDR Item: A14 Yes

Modified
for DI
approach

Sample person verification
Sample person verification

Collects working status; determines
routing for subsequent questions
Determines changes in employer;
used for occupational coding
Determines routing for subsequent
questions
Determines when the employer
change occurred and is input for
calculating time in each
employment state
Establishes if those not working are
still in labor force
Modified question from SDR –
identifies reasons for not working;
Captures impact of COVID on
reasons for not working
Existing question from SDR identifies employment duration
Needed for occupational coding of
last job
Needed for occupational coding of
last job
Existing question from SDR identifies retirees who return to
work
Existing question from SDR identifies date retirees return to
work, when applicable
Tests DI with a single-response
item, with Other Specify field;
used for occupational coding
Tests DI with an open-text item,
short response, employer specific;
used for occupational coding
Tests DI with a single-response
item, no other specify; used for
occupational coding
Tests DI with dichotomous
response – INDI shows as yes/no
format but modified in DI approach
44

SDR Item: A15 Yes
SDR Item: A16 Yes

Modified
INDI
approach streamlines
back-end
processing

SDR Item: A17 Yes
SDR Item: A18 Yes
SDR Item: A19 Yes
SDR Item: A20 Yes

SDR Item: A26 No
SDR Item: A30 Yes
SDR Item:
No
A31a/b
SDR Item: A32 Yes

SDR Item: A33 No
SDR Item: A34 No
SDR Item: A35 No
SDR Item: A36 No
SDR Item:
SALDOLLAR
SDR Item:
A36b

No
No

Modified
for DI
approach

for clarity; used for occupational
coding
Tests DI with a single-response
item, with Other Specify field
Tests DI with a grid-style yes/no
question; Modified other specify
response category in INDI version
to explicitly show a category of
“Not in an academic position”
which SDR previously only offered
in CATI; used for occupational
coding
Tests DI with a single-response
item, with Other Specify field;
used for occupational coding
Tests DI with a single-response
item; used for occupational coding
Tests DI with an open-text item,
short response, respondent specific;
used for occupational coding
Tests DI with an open-text item,
complex response, respondent
specific; used for occupational
coding
Existing question from SDR identifies employment duration;
used for occupational coding
Tests DI with a grid-style yes/no
question; used for occupational
coding
Existing question from SDR - used
for occupational coding
Tests DI with dichotomous
response– INDI shows as yes/no
format but modified in DI approach
for clarity; used for occupational
coding
Existing question from SDR - used
for occupational coding
Existing question from SDR – used
for occupational coding
Existing question from SDR – used
for occupational coding
Existing question from SDR – used
for occupational coding

45

SDR Item:
A36e

No

SDR Item:
A36f

No

SDR Item: A37 No
SDR Item: A38 No
SDR Item:
B1/B2
SDR Item: B3

No

SDR Item: E1

No

SDR Item: E7

No

No

New for
DIS Pilot
Study
New for
DIS Pilot
Study

Captures impact of coronavirus on
salary
Captures impact of coronavirus on
salary
Existing question from SDR – used
for occupational coding
Existing question from SDR – used
for occupational coding
Modified question from SDR –
used for occupational coding
Modified question from SDR –
Captures impact of COVID on
reasons changing employer/job
Existing question from SDR –
demographic variable
Existing question from SDR –
demographic variable

Introduction
Thank you for participating in this special study to support the Survey of Doctorate Recipients
(SDR), which is sponsored by the National Center for Science & Engineering Statistics (NCSES), a
statistical agency within the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Health
(NIH).
Our records show that in 201x, you completed the SDR. This study is a follow-up to the 201x SDR to
help us improve the way we ask questions about employment experience so that future cycles of SDR
can reduce the burden on survey participants. Your participation is greatly appreciated.

Survey Information
Assurance of Confidentiality
• The information collected in the Survey of Doctorate Recipients (SDR) questionnaire is
solicited under the authority of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended, and
the Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act of 2002.
• These laws require that the survey sponsors (National Center for Science and Engineering
Statistics within the National Science Foundation, and National Institutes of Health) treat all
information you provide as confidential. The information you provide will be used only for
research and statistical purposes by the survey sponsors, their contractors, and collaborating
researchers for the purpose of analyzing data and preparing scientific reports and articles. Any
information publicly released (such as statistical summaries) will be in a form that does not
personally identify you.
• Per the Federal Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2015, your data are protected from
cybersecurity risks through screening of the Federal systems that transmit your data.
• The responses you provide today are being collected with software that is designed to secure
your data and provide you with confidentiality. However, please be apprised that all Internet46

based communication is subject to the remote likelihood of tampering from an outside source.
OMB Control Number: xxxx-xxxx
• OMB approval for this study expires on xx/xx/xxxx.
• An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection
of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB Control Number.
Participation Information
• The average time to complete this survey is about 15 minutes. Actual time may vary depending
on your circumstances.
• Your response is voluntary and failure to provide some or all of the requested information will
not in any way adversely affect you.
• If you have questions about the SDR study, please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions. If
you have any further questions, please contact Westat toll-free within the U.S. at 1-855-4605324, or 301-637-8195 outside of the U.S. You can also send an email to sdr@westat.com.
Thank you for participating in the SDR!

Instructions
Navigation Instructions
•

Move forward or backward one question at a time by clicking on the Next or Previous buttons.
(DO NOT use your browser's Back or Forward buttons.)

Suspending the Survey
•
•
•

If you need to exit the survey prior to completion, please click on the Save & Continue Later
button at the bottom of any screen. All responses that you have provided to that point are
securely stored, and you can resume the survey at your convenience.
In order to resume your survey, you will need your PIN.
If you exit the survey another way, for example by closing the browser window without
clicking the Save & Continue Later button, all responses that you provided to that point are
saved.

Sample Person Verification
V1 – DI-1
Please review the following information to help us verify that our records are correct. Either make any
needed corrections, or select the box indicating all information is correct.
Title: {PERSPRFX}
First Name: {PERSNAMF}
Middle Name: {PERSMID}
47

Last Name: {PERSNAML}
Suffix: {PERSSUFX}
[ ] Information is correct
V2a – DI-1
Please review the following information to help us verify that our records are correct. Either make any
needed corrections, or select the box indicating all information is correct.
Ph.D. Institution: {PHDINSTNM}
[ ] Information is correct
V2b – DI-1
Please review the following information to help us verify that our records are correct. Either make any
needed corrections, or select the box indicating all information is correct.
Ph.D. Field: {PHDFIELDV}
{(Note: You have also described your field as {FIELDFIX_LAST}.)}
[ ] Information is correct
V2c – DI-1
Please review the following information to help us verify that our records are correct. Either make any
needed corrections, or select the box indicating all information is correct.
Ph.D. Year: {PHDCY}
[ ] Information is correct
V4 – current
On {REFERENCE DATE}, were you living in the…
United States or Puerto Rico
Another U.S. territory
Another country
SKIP BOX 1
Update DOC_CODE based on answers to v2a/inst_chk, v2b/fieldchk, and v2c/date_chk, where each
match adds '1' to the value of the variable
AT LEAST 2 OF 3 Ph.D. PRELOADS MATCH (DOC_CODE=2 or 3), then go to SDR A1.
Else, go to FINAL SCREEN (after RAS)
48

Survey Items
SDR A1 - current
Were you working for pay or profit during the week of {REFERENCE DATE}? Working includes
being self-employed and not getting paid that week, on a postdoctoral appointment, traveling while
employed, or on any type of paid or unpaid leave, including vacation.
Yes
No

SKIP TO SDR A8
GO TO WHEN LEAVE

Variable: WRKG
[SOFT ERROR MESSAGE: If no response given, display error message “It is very important that we
get an answer to this question.
This information is used to determine the size of the doctoral workforce. Please answer to the best of
your ability.”
If no response given, go to SDR CLOSE1.]
SDR CLOSE1 - Modified
This is one of the few questions that are critical to this survey, and we cannot continue with questions
about your current employment without your answer to this question. Would you please reconsider
and answer the question as best as you can?
Click "Previous" to return to the question and provide an answer.
Click "Next" to continue.
Previous – go to SDR A1
Next – go to RAS section
SDR A8 - current
Although you were working during the week of {REFERENCE DATE}, had you previously retired
from any position?
Examples of retirement include mandatory retirement, early retirement, or voluntary retirement.
Yes – go to SDR A8YY
No – go to INTRO1
SDR A8YY - current
In what year did you previously retire?
YEAR: _____ (YYYY)

49

INTRO1
The following questions ask about your principal employer during the week of [REFENCE DATE].
For many of the questions, you will be shown the answers you provided in the 201x Survey of
Doctorate Recipients and will be asked to confirm or update the information.
SDR A9 - DI-1
The information below displays the responses you provided in the 201x SDR about your principal
employer.
Now thinking about your principal employer during the week of {REFERENCE DATE}, please
update the information shown below. If all of the information was still correct during the week of
{REFERENCE DATE}, please select the box “Information has not changed since 201x.”
Employer Name: [Employer Name from 201x SDR A9]
Department/Division: [Department/Division from 201x SDR A9]
City: [City from 201x SDR A9]
State: [State from 201x SDR A9]
ZIP code: [ZIP code from 201x SDR A9]
Country: {COUNTRY from 201x SDR}
__ Information has not changed since 201x – GO TO SDR A10 - DI-1
[SOFT ERROR MESSAGE: If no information was updated, and the check box was not selected, add
error message to state “We noticed you did not make any changes on this page. Please either select the
box indicating “Information has not changed since 201x” or provide updated information.”]
IF ANY CHANGES WERE MADE TO A9-DI, CONTINUE TO REASON. OTHERWISE GO TO
A10-DI
Reason - New
Did the information about your principal employer change since 201x for any of the following
reasons? (SELECT YES OR NO FOR EACH ITEM)
You still work for this employer, but…
You now work for a different department or division of this employer – Go to When Leave.
Your employer/division changed its name or location – Go to SDR A10-DI.
Your 201x responses were incorrect – Go to INTRO2 then SDR A10-DI.
You no longer work for this employer – Go to When Leave
Some other reason _____________________________________________ –Go to INTRO2 then SDR
A10.
When Leave - New
When did you leave [Employer Name/Department name from 201x SDR A9]?
MM/YYYY
50

[IF WRKG/A1=2 “You are not currently employed”, Go to A2. ELSE, CONTINUE TO A10-DI.]
SDR A2 - current
[If no to SDR A1 = “You are not currently employed”] Did you look for work during the four weeks
preceding {REFERENCE DATE}? This would be between {REFERENCE MONTH/DAY MINUS
28 days} and {REFERENCE MONTH/DAY}.
Yes
No
[SOFT ERROR MESSAGE: If no response given, display error message “It is critical that we get an
answer to this question. NSF uses this information to determine the unemployment rate of the doctoral
population. Please answer as best as you can.”
If no response given, go to SDR CLOSE2.]
SDR CLOSE2 - Modified
This is one of the few questions that are critical to this survey, and we cannot continue with questions
about your current employment without your answer to this question. Would you please reconsider
and answer the question as best as you can?
Click "Previous" to return to the question and provide an answer.
Click "Next" to continue.
Previous – go to SDR A2
Next – go to RAS section
SDR A3 - current
What were your reasons for not working during the week of {REFERENCE DATE}?
Select Yes or No for each item.
A3_1 Retired
A3_2 On layoff from a job due to the coronavirus pandemic
A3_3 On layoff from a job for reasons unrelated to the coronavirus pandemic
A3_4 Student
A3_5 Family responsibilities (e.g., childcare, eldercare), due to the coronavirus pandemic
A3_6 Family responsibilities, for reasons unrelated to the coronavirus pandemic
A3_7 Chronic illness or permanent disability
A3_8 Suitable job not available
A3_9 Did not need or want to work
A3_10 Other reason (specify)
SDR A4 - current
Prior to the week of {REFERENCE DATE}, when did you last work for pay or profit?
MM/YYYY
51

SDR A5 - current
What was the title of the last job you held prior to the week of {REFERENCE DATE}?
Example: Physics professor
[Call the autocoding occupation dictionary and compare job title (A5) to list.
If there is a match, set job code to the autocode value and go to SDR A6 - current.
If there is no match, go to occupation coding module, then go to SDR A6 - current.]
SDR A6 - current
What kind of work were you doing on this last job – that is, what were your duties and responsibilities
on your last job? Please be as specific as possible, including any area of specialization.
Example: Taught physics and conducted research. Specialized in high energy physics.
[SOFT ERROR MESSAGE: If no response given, display error message “It is critical that we get an
answer to this question. This information is used to determine the types of jobs held by the doctoral
population and to study employment patterns. Please answer to the best of your ability.”
If no response given at A5, A6 and no job code, go to SDR CLOSE3. Else, go to E1.]
SDR CLOSE3 - Modified
This is one of the few questions that are critical to this survey, and we cannot continue with questions
about your current employment without your answer to this question. Would you please reconsider
and answer the question as best as you can?
Click "Previous" to return to the question and provide an answer.
Click "Next" to continue.
Previous – go to SDR A6
Next – go to RAS section
SDR A9 - current
[IF SDR A9 IS ENTIRELY MISSING FROM 201x, CONTINUE. ELSE GO TO SDR A10-DI]
Who was your principal employer during the week of {REFERENCE DATE}?
If you had more than one job, report the one for which you worked the most hours that week.
If your employer had more than one location, report the location that employed you.
If you worked for a contracting or consulting company, report the name of that company, not the client
organization.
Employer Name:
Department or Division:
City/Town:
State:
Or {Country}:
ZIP/Postal Code:

52

SKIP LOGIC RULES FOR DI ITEMS:
•
•
•
•

IF REASON= “You no longer work for this employer” SKIP ALL DI QUESTIONS AND
ONLY ASK INDI ITEMS
IF 201x DATA IS MISSING FOR AN ITEM, SKIP TO INDI VERSION FOR THAT ITEM.
FOR GRID-FORMAT DI ITEMS, FILL ALL BLANK RESPONSES FROM 201x AS “NO”.
Note that the programming will detect whether any answers changed.

SDR A10 - DI-1
In your responses to the 201x SDR, you described your principal employer as shown below.
Now thinking about your principal employer during the week of {REFERENCE DATE}, please
update the information to describe your principal employer. If the answer shown below was still
correct during the week of {REFERENCE DATE}, please select the box “Information has not changed
since 201x.”
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
10
9

SELF-EMPLOYED or a BUSINESS OWNER
In a non-incorporated business, professional practice, or farm
In an incorporated business, professional practice, or farm
PRIVATE SECTOR employee
In a for-profit company or organization
In a non-profit organization (including tax-exempt and charitable organizations)
U.S. GOVERNMENT employee
In a local government in the U.S. (e.g., city, county, school district)
In a U.S. state government (including U.S. state colleges/universities)
In the U.S. military service, active duty or Commissioned Corps (e.g., USPHS, NOAA)
In the U.S. federal government (e.g., civilian employee)
OTHER type of employee
In a non-U.S. government (at any level)
Other  specify

__ Information has not changed since 201x
ALL IN SDR A10-DI, GO TO SDR A11-DI
[SOFT ERROR MESSAGE: If no response given, display error message “It is critical that we get an
answer to this question. This information is a key employment characteristic of the academic doctoral
population in the United States. Please answer as best as you can.”]
SDR A10 – Current
[IF SDR A10 IS ENTIRELY MISSING FROM 201x, CONTINUE. ELSE GO TO SDR A11-DI]
Which one of the following best describes your principal employer during the week of {REFERENCE
DATE}? Were you...
1
2

SELF-EMPLOYED or a BUSINESS OWNER
In a non-incorporated business, professional practice, or farm
In an incorporated business, professional practice, or farm
PRIVATE SECTOR employee
53

3
4
5
6
7
8
10
9

In a for-profit company or organization
In a non-profit organization (including tax-exempt and charitable organizations)
U.S. GOVERNMENT employee
In a local government in the U.S. (e.g., city, county, school district)
In a U.S. state government (including U.S. state colleges/universities)
In the U.S. military service, active duty or Commissioned Corps (e.g., USPHS, NOAA)
In the U.S. federal government (e.g., civilian employee)
OTHER type of employee
In a non-U.S. government (at any level)
Other (specify)

[SOFT ERROR MESSAGE: If no response given, display error message “It is critical that we get an
answer to this question. This information is a key employment characteristic of the academic doctoral
population in the United States. Please answer as best as you can.”]
SDR A11 - DI-1
In your responses to the 201x SDR, you reported your employer’s main business or industry as shown
below.
Now thinking about your principal employer during the week of {REFERENCE DATE}, please
update the information to describe your employer’s main business or industry. If the answer shown
below was still correct during the week of {REFERENCE DATE}, please select the box “Information
has not changed since 201x.”
[verbatim response from 201x SDR A11]
__ Information has not changed since 201x
ALL IN SDR A11-DI, GO TO SDR A12-DI
SDR A11 - current
[IF SDR A11 IS ENTIRELY MISSING FROM 201x, CONTINUE. ELSE GO TO SDR A12-DI]
What was {that employer's/your} main business or industry - that is what did {that employer/your
business} make or do?
Please refer to your {principal employer/business} during the week of {REFERENCE DATE}.
If {your principal employer/you} had more than one type of business, report the type of business
primarily performed at the location where you worked.
Example: Production of microprocessor chips
MAIN BUSINESS:__________
SDR A12 - DI-1
In your responses to the 201x SDR, you reported the number of people who worked for your employer
across all locations where this employer operates, as shown below.
54

Please update the information to indicate how many people worked for your principal employer during
the week of {REFERENCE DATE}, counting all locations where this employer operates. If the answer
shown below was still correct during the week of {REFERENCE DATE}, please select the box
“Information has not changed since 201x.”
10 or fewer employees
11-24 employees
25-99 employees
100-499 employees
500-999 employees
1,000-4,999 employees
5,000-24,999 employees
25,000 or more employees
__ Information has not changed since 201x
ALL IN SDR A12-DI, GO TO SDR A14-DI
SDR A12 - current
[IF SDR A12 IS ENTIRELY MISSING FROM 201x, CONTINUE. ELSE GO TO SDR A14-DI]
Counting all locations where {this employer/your business} operates, how many people work for
{your principal employer/your business}? Your best estimate is fine.
Select one answer.
10 or fewer employees
11-24 employees
25-99 employees
100-499 employees
500-999 employees
1,000-4,999 employees
5,000-24,999 employees
25,000 or more employees
SDR A14 - DI-1
In the 201x SDR, you were asked if your employer was an educational institution. Your answer is
shown below.
Please update the information to indicate whether or not your employer during the week of
{REFERENCE DATE} was an educational institution. If the answer shown below was still correct
during the week of {REFERENCE DATE}, please select the box “Information has not changed since
201x.”
Employer was an educational institution
Employer was not an educational institution
__ Information has not changed since 201x – If educational institution in 201x, go to A15-DI; If not
educational institution in 201x, go to A19-DI}
55

IF FINAL RESPONSE IS EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION, GO TO A15-DI
IF FINAL RESPONSE IS NOT EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION, GO TO A19-DI
[SOFT ERROR MESSAGE: If no response given, display error message “It is critical that we get an
answer to this question. This information is a key employment characteristic used to determine the
sectors where the doctoral population is employed. Please answer as best as you can.”]
SDR A14 - current
[IF SDR A14 IS ENTIRELY MISSING FROM 201x, CONTINUE.]
Was your {principal employer/business} an educational institution?
Please refer to your {principal employer/business} during the week of {REFERENCE DATE}.

Yes – Go to SDR A15-DI
No – Go to SDR A19-DI
[SOFT ERROR MESSAGE: If no response given, display error message “It is critical that we get an
answer to this question. This information is a key employment characteristic used to determine the
sectors where the doctoral population is employed. Please answer as best as you can.”]
SDR A15 - DI-1
In your responses to the 201x SDR, you described the type of educational institution where you
worked, as shown below.
Please update the information to indicate the type of educational institution where you worked during
the week of {REFERENCE DATE}. If the answer shown below was still correct during the week of
{REFERENCE DATE}, please select the box “Information has not changed since 201x.”
Preschool, elementary, middle, or secondary school or system – Go to SDR A19-DI
Two-year college, community college, or technical institute
Four-year college or university, other than a medical school
Medical school (including university-affiliated hospital or medical center)
University-affiliated research institute
Other – specify
__ Information has not changed since 201x
ALL IN SDR A15-DI, GO TO SDR A16-DI
SDR A15 - current
[IF SDR A15 IS ENTIRELY MISSING FROM 201x, CONTINUE. ELSE GO TO SDR A16-DI]
Was the educational institution where you worked a…
Please refer to your {principal employer/business} during the week of {REFERENCE DATE}.

Preschool, elementary, middle, or secondary school or system – Go to A19-DI
Two-year college, community college, or technical institute
Four-year college or university, other than a medical school
56

Medical school (including university-affiliated hospital or medical center)
University-affiliated research institute
Other – specify
SDR A16 - DI-1
In your responses to the 201x SDR, you reported that you held the following types of academic
positions at this institution, as shown below.
Please update the information to indicate the types of academic positions you held at this institution
during the week of {REFERENCE DATE}. If the answers shown below were still correct during the
week of {REFERENCE DATE}, please select the box “Information has not changed since 201x.”
[DISPLAY YES OR NO ANSWERS FROM 201x SDR IN GRID FORMAT]
A16_1 President, Provost or Chancellor (any level)
A16_2 Dean (any level), department head or department chair
A16_3 Research faculty, scientist, associate or fellow
A16_4 Teaching faculty
A16_5 Adjunct faculty
A16_6 Postdoc (e.g., postdoctoral fellow or associate)
A16_7 Research assistant
A16_8 Teaching assistant
A16_9 Other position (specify)
A16_10 I was not in an academic position (ONLY DISPLAY THIS CATEGORY IF PRIOR CYCLE
WAS CATI MODE)
__ Information has not changed since 201x
ALL IN SDR A16-DI, GO TO SDR A17-DI
SDR A16 - current
[IF SDR A16 IS ENTIRELY MISSING FROM 201x, CONTINUE. ELSE GO TO SDR A17-DI]
During the week of {REFERENCE DATE}, what type of academic position(s) did you hold at this
institution?
Select Yes or No for each item.
A16_1 President, Provost or Chancellor (any level)
A16_2 Dean (any level), department head or department chair
A16_3 Research faculty, scientist, associate or fellow
A16_4 Teaching faculty
A16_5 Adjunct faculty
A16_6 Postdoc (e.g., postdoctoral fellow or associate)
A16_7 Research assistant
A16_8 Teaching assistant
A16_9 Other position (specify)
A16_10 I was not in an academic position (ONLY DISPLAY THIS CATEGORY IF PRIOR CYCLE
WAS CATI MODE)

57

SDR A17 - DI-1
In your responses to the 201x SDR, you reported your faculty rank as shown below.
Please update the information to indicate your faculty rank during the week of {REFERENCE DATE}.
If the answer shown below was still correct during the week of {REFERENCE DATE}, please select
the box “Information has not changed since 201x.”
Not applicable; no ranks designated at this institution
Not applicable; no ranks designated for my position
Professor
Associate Professor
Assistant Professor
Instructor
Lecturer
Other – Specify
__ Information has not changed since 201x
[SOFT ERROR MESSAGE: If no response given, display error message “It is critical that we get an
answer to this question. This information is a key employment characteristic of the academic doctoral
population in the United States. Please answer as best as you can.”]
ALL IN SDR A-17, GO TO SDR A18-DI
SDR A17 - current
[IF SDR A17 IS ENTIRELY MISSING FROM 201x, CONTINUE. ELSE GO TO SDR A18-DI]
What was your faculty rank?
Please refer to your faculty rank during the week of {REFERENCE DATE}.

Not applicable; no ranks designated at this institution
Not applicable; no ranks designated for my position
Professor
Associate Professor
Assistant Professor
Instructor
Lecturer
Other – Specify
[SOFT ERROR MESSAGE: If no response given, display error message “It is critical that we get an
answer to this question. This information is a key employment characteristic of the academic doctoral
population in the United States. Please answer as best as you can.”]
SDR A18 - DI-1
In your responses to the 201x SDR, you reported your tenure status as shown below.
Please update the information to indicate your tenure status during the week of {REFERENCE
DATE}. If the answer shown below was still correct during the week of {REFERENCE DATE},
please select the box “Information has not changed since 201x.”
58

Not applicable; no tenure system at this institution
Not applicable; no tenure system for my position
Tenured
On tenure track but not tenured
Not on tenure track
__ Information has not changed since 201x
[SOFT ERROR MESSAGE: If no response given, display error message “It is critical that we get an
answer to this question. This information is a key employment characteristic of the academic doctoral
population in the United States. Please answer as best as you can.”]
ALL IN SDR A18-DI, GO TO SDR A19-DI
SDR A18 - current
[IF SDR A18 IS ENTIRELY MISSING FROM 201x, CONTINUE. ELSE GO TO SDR A19-DI]
What was your tenure status?
Please refer to your tenure status during the week of {REFERENCE DATE}.

Select one answer.
Not applicable; no tenure system at this institution
Not applicable; no tenure system for my position
Tenured
On tenure track but not tenured
Not on tenure track
[SOFT ERROR MESSAGE: If no response given, display error message “It is critical that we get an
answer to this question. This information is a key employment characteristic of the academic doctoral
population in the United States. Please answer as best as you can.”]
SDR A19 - DI-1
In your responses to the 201x SDR, you reported the title of the principal job you held as shown below.
Please update the information to indicate your job title during the week of {REFERENCE DATE}. If
the answer shown below was still correct during the week of {REFERENCE DATE}, please select the
box “Information has not changed since 201x.”
[verbatim response from 201x SDR A19]
__ Information has not changed since 201x
If checkbox is checked, assign job code to the job code on record.
[If job title is revised, call the autocoding occupation dictionary and compare job title (A19) to list.
If there is a match, set job code to the autocode value and go to SDR A20-DI.
If there is no match, go to occupation coding module, then go to SDR A20-DI.]
59

SDR A19 - current
[IF SDR A19 IS ENTIRELY MISSING FROM 201x, CONTINUE. ELSE GO TO SDR A20-DI]
What was the title of the principal job you held during the week of {REFERENCE DATE}?
Example: Physics professor
[Call the autocoding occupation dictionary and compare job title (A19) to list.
If there is a match, set job code to the autocode value and go to SDR A20-DI.
If there is no match, go to occupation coding module, then go to SDR A20-DI.]
SDR A20 - DI-1
In your responses to the 201x SDR, you reported your duties and responsibilities on your principal job
as shown below.
Please update the information to indicate your job duties and responsibilities during the week of
{REFERENCE DATE}. If the answer shown below was still correct during the week of
{REFERENCE DATE}, please select the box “Information has not changed since 201x.”
[verbatim response from 201x SDR A20]
__ Information has not changed since 201x
[SOFT ERROR MESSAGE: If no response given, display error message “It is critical that we get an
answer to this question. This information is used to determine the types of jobs held by the doctoral
population and to study employment patterns. Please answer to the best of your ability.”
If no response given at A19, A20 and no job code, go to SDR CLOSE4. Else, go to A26.]
SDR CLOSE4 - Modified
This is one of the few questions that are critical to this survey, and we cannot continue with questions
about your current employment without your answer to this question. Would you please reconsider
and answer the question as best as you can?
Click "Previous" to return to the question and provide an answer.
Click "Next" to continue.
Previous – go to SDR A20
Next – go to RAS section

60

SDR A20 - current
[IF SDR A20 IS ENTIRELY MISSING FROM 201x, CONTINUE. ELSE GO TO SDR A26]
What kind of work were you doing on this job– that is, what were your duties and responsibilities on
your principal job? Please be as specific as possible, including any areas of specialization.
Example: Taught physics and conducted research. Specialized in high energy physics.
[SOFT ERROR MESSAGE: If no response given, display error message “It is critical that we get an
answer to this question. This information is used to determine the types of jobs held by the doctoral
population and to study employment patterns. Please answer to the best of your ability.”
If no response given at A19, A20 and no job code, go to SDR CLOSE4. Else, go to A26.]
SDR CLOSE4 - Modified
This is one of the few questions that are critical to this survey, and we cannot continue with questions
about your current employment without your answer to this question. Would you please reconsider
and answer the question as best as you can?
Click "Previous" to return to the question and provide an answer.
Click "Next" to continue.
Previous – go to SDR A20
Next – go to RAS section
SDR A26 - current
During what month and year did you start this job (that is, the principal job you held during the week
of {REFERENCE DATE})?
MM/YYYY
[SOFT ERROR MESSAGE: If no response given, display error message “It is critical that we get an
answer to this question. This information is used to determine the employment changes in the doctoral
population in the United States. Please answer the question as best as you can.”]
SDR A30 - DI-1
In your responses to the 201x SDR, you reported the work activities that occupied at least 10 percent
of your time in your principal job as shown below.
Please update the information to indicate the work activities that occupied at least 10 percent of your
time in a typical week in your principal job you held during the week of {REFERENCE DATE}. If the
answer shown below was still correct during the week of {REFERENCE DATE}, please select the box
“Information has not changed since 201x.”
[DISPLAY YES OR NO ANSWERS FROM 201x SDR IN GRID FORMAT]
A30_1
Accounting, finance, contracts
A30_2
Basic research - study directed toward gaining scientific knowledge primarily for its own
sake
A30_3
Applied research - study directed toward gaining scientific knowledge to meet a
recognized need
61

A30_4
A30_5
A30_6
A30_7
A30_8
A30_9
A30_10
A30_11
A30_12
A30_13
A30_14

Development - using knowledge gained from research for the production of materials,
devices
Design of equipment, processes, structures, models
Computer programming, systems or applications development
Human resources - including recruiting, personnel development, training
Managing or supervising people or projects
Production, operations, maintenance (e.g., chip production, operating lab equipment)
Professional services (e.g., health care, counseling, financial services, legal services)
Sales, purchasing, marketing, customer service, public relations
Quality or productivity management
Teaching
Other activity

__ Information has not changed since 201x
[SOFT ERROR MESSAGE: If no response given, display error message “Your answers to these
questions are important because it helps describe the kind of work you were doing.”]
ALL IN SDR A30-DI, GO TO SDR A31
SDR A30 - current
[IF SDR A30 IS ENTIRELY MISSING FROM 201x, CONTINUE. ELSE GO TO SDR A31]
The next question is about your work activities in your principal job. Which of the following work
activities occupied at least 10 percent of your time during a typical work week on this job?
Please refer to your principal job held during the week of {REFERENCE DATE}.

Select Yes or No for each item.
A30_1
Accounting, finance, contracts
A30_2
Basic research - study directed toward gaining scientific knowledge primarily for its own
sake
A30_3
Applied research - study directed toward gaining scientific knowledge to meet a
recognized need
A30_4
Development - using knowledge gained from research for the production of materials,
devices
A30_5
Design of equipment, processes, structures, models
A30_6
Computer programming, systems or applications development
A30_7
Human resources - including recruiting, personnel development, training
A30_8
Managing or supervising people or projects
A30_9
Production, operations, maintenance (e.g., chip production, operating lab equipment)
A30_10
Professional services (e.g., health care, counseling, financial services, legal services)
A30_11
Sales, purchasing, marketing, customer service, public relations
A30_12
Quality or productivity management
A30_13
Teaching
A30_14
Other activity (specify)
[SOFT ERROR MESSAGE: If no response given, display error message “Your answers to these
questions are important because it helps describe the kind of work you were doing.”]

62

SDR A31 - current
A31a: What was the activity on which you worked the most hours during a typical week on this job?
Please refer to the principal job you held during the week of {REFERENCE DATE}.
A31b: What was the activity on which you worked the second most hours during a typical week on this
job?
Please refer to the principal job you held during the week of {REFERENCE DATE}.
SDR A32 - DI-1
In the 201x SDR, you were asked if you supervised the work of others as part of the principal job you
held. This includes recommending or initiating personnel actions such as hiring, firing, evaluating, or
promoting others, not including students. Your answer is shown below.
Please update the information to indicate whether or not you supervised others during the week of
{REFERENCE DATE}. If the answer shown below was still correct during the week of
{REFERENCE DATE}, please select the box “Information has not changed since 201x.”
You supervised others
You did not supervise others
__ Information has not changed since 201x
IF FINAL RESPONSE IS SUPERVISE OTHERS, GO TO A33
IF FINAL RESPONSE IS DO NOT SUPERVISE OTHERS, GO TO A34
SDR A32 - current
Did you supervise the work of others as part of the principal job you held during the week of
{REFERENCE DATE}?
Select 'Yes' if you recommended or initiated personnel actions such as hiring, firing, evaluating, or
promoting others.
Teachers: Do not count students.
Yes – go to SDR A33 - current
No – go to SDR A34 - current
SDR A33 - current
How many people did you typically…
Supervise directly?
Supervise indirectly through subordinate supervisors?

63

SDR A34 - current
Thinking about your principal job held during the week of {REFERENCE DATE}, please rate your
satisfaction with that job’s…
Select one answer for each item.
Very satisfied
Somewhat
Somewhat
Very dissatisfied
satisfied
dissatisfied
Salary
Benefits
Job security
Job location
Opportunities
for advancement
Intellectual
challenge
Level of
responsibility
Degree of
independence
Contribution to
society
SDR A35 - current
How would you rate your overall satisfaction with the principal job you held during the week of
{REFERENCE DATE}?
Very satisfied
Somewhat satisfied
Somewhat dissatisfied
Very dissatisfied
SDR A36 - current
As of the week of {REFERENCE DATE}, what was your basic annual salary on your principal job,
before deductions?
Do not include bonuses, overtime, or additional compensation for summertime teaching or research.
If you are not salaried, please estimate your earned income, excluding business expenses.
(Enter whole numbers only; do not enter commas.)
ANNUAL SALARY/EARNED INCOME: {$}__________.00
SDR SALDOLLAR - Current
In which currency did you report your salary above?
1
2

U.S. dollars
Another currency – please specify: ________
64

SDR A36b – current
(IF NO RESPONSE TO A36) Salary information is important data used to study employment
conditions of the doctoral workforce. If you would rather give your salary in ranges, please indicate
whether your basic annual salary on your principal job as of the week of {REFERENCE DATE} was...
Do not include bonuses, overtime or additional compensation for summertime teaching or research.
If you are not salaried, please estimate your earned income, excluding business expenses.
1
Less than $20,000
2
$20,000 - $34,999
3
$35,000 - $49,999
4
$50,000 - $64,999
5
$65,000 - $79,999
6
$80,000 - $99,999
7
$100,000 - $119,999
8
$120,000 or more
-9
BLANK
SDR A36e - new
For the principal job you held during the week of {REFERENCE DATE}, has your basic annual salary
been affected at any time by the coronavirus pandemic?
Yes – go to SDR A36f
No – go to A37
SDR A36f - new
How has your basic annual salary been affected by the coronavirus pandemic?
Select Yes or No for each item.
A36f _1
It was decreased temporarily due to the coronavirus pandemic
A36f _2
It is currently decreased due to the coronavirus pandemic
A36f _3
It was increased temporarily due to the coronavirus pandemic
A36f _4
It is currently increased due to the coronavirus pandemic
A36f _5
It was impacted but has returned to normal
A36f _6
I did not receive an expected raise due to the coronavirus pandemic
A36f _7
I no longer have this job
SDR A37 - current
Was this salary based on a 52-week year, or less than that?
Include paid vacation and sick leave.
52-week year
Less than 52 weeks – Number of weeks per year: __

65

SDR A38 - current
During a typical week on your principal job, how many hours did you work?
Please refer to the principal job you held during the week of {REFERENCE DATE}.
Please round to the nearest whole hour.
NUMBER OF HOURS WORKED PER WEEK: __________
SDR B1/B2 - Modified
(IF R IS CURRENTLY WORKING) You reported that you were working for pay or profit during both
of these time periods – the week of February 1, 201x, and the week of {REFERENCE DATE}.
During these two time periods – the week of February 1, 201x and the week of {REFERENCE DATE}
– were you working for…
Select one answer.
Same employer and in same type of job – Go to SDR E1
Same employer but in different type of job – Go to SDR B3
Different employer but in same type of job – Go to SDR B3
Different employer and in different type of job- Go to SDR B3
SDR B3 - current
Why did you change your {job/employer/employer and your job}?
Please refer to your employment situations during the weeks of February 1, 201x and {REFERENCE
DATE}.
Select Yes or No for each item.
B3_1 Pay, promotion opportunities
B3_2 Working conditions (e.g., hours, equipment, working environment)
B3_3 Job location
B3_4 Change in career or professional interests
B3_5 Family-related reasons due to the coronavirus pandemic (e.g., childcare, eldercare)
B3_6 Family-related reasons unrelated to the coronavirus pandemic (e.g., children, spouse's job
moved)
B3_7 School-related reasons (e.g., returned to school, completed a degree)
B3_8 Laid off or job terminated due to the coronavirus pandemic
B3_9 Laid off or job terminated, for reasons unrelated to the coronavirus pandemic (includes
company closings, mergers, buyouts, grant or contract ended)
B3_10 Retired
B3_11 Some other reason (specify)
SDR E1 - current
On {REFERENCE DATE}, were you…
Select one answer.
Married
Living in a marriage-like relationship
Widowed
66

Separated
Divorced
Never married
SDR E7 - current
On {REFERENCE DATE}, were you a…
U.S. citizen
Non-U.S. citizen
Go to Response Analysis Survey.

67