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Technical Information and Data

Numbered Memos

BRFSS POLICY MEMO 2000.2
STATE PURCHASE OF ADDITIONAL SAMPLE

As discussed in Policy Memo 99.2, BSB developed a mechanism by which BRFSS projects can obtain sample records from a commercial sample provider through BSB at no direct cost to them. Increases in needs for sample among states have exceeded BSB’s current funding. This memo outlines the policy for states purchasing additional sample for inclusion in their BRFSS data files. Projects are expected to follow this BRFSS policy when purchasing sample above that provided by BSB. The advantages for the projects and for the BRFSS as a whole are the assurance of uniformly and appropriately generated sample and the inclusion of a large number of fields on the sample records useful for improving data collection as well as methodological and substantive analyses. The provisions of this policy apply to contractors collecting data for projects as well as to projects collecting their own data.

States wanting to purchase additional sample to increase the number of completes above the number originally targeted and who wish the respondent records from this additional sample to be included in their BRFSS data file are expected to comply with the following:

(1) The original survey design specified at the beginning of the data collection year by the state must be maintained. Specifically, there can be no change in the number of geographic strata nor in the sample ratio.

(2) All BRFSS protocols and sample management policies must be followed for both sample provided from BSB and state-purchased sample. This requirement includes, but is not limited to all released sample being followed through appropriately and called 15 times unless fully resolved in fewer attempts. In order to be processed by SOS, records from all direct purchase must be used in the same way as BSB provided sample: all eligible respondents must be asked every core and selected module questions, regardless of whether they come from direct purchase or BSB provided sample.
 




(3) The sample for direct purchase must be generated at the same time as the BSB provided sample; and the direct purchase sample and the BSB purchased files must be sent at the same time and be in the same specified format. The state needs to request that Genesys provide BSB with information (eg. replicate number) which will identify which records were purchased by BSB and which records were direct purchase.

(4) The state is responsible for developing a procedure for paying the sample provider for the state-purchased sample and for providing consent to Genesys to provide a copy of the sample records to BSB.

(5) Additional state-purchased sample needs to be ordered for the start of new quarter. If purchasing sample directly from Genesys, we ask that you notify SOS by the following dates so that BSB-purchased sample orders can be generated and arrangements made with Genesys to send all sample records for a state to SOS. Luann Rhodes is the SOS sample manager ( or 770-488-2484).

Quarter 1 November 15 (prior year)
Quarter 2 February 15
Quarter 3 May 15
Quarter 4 August 15

If a state increases their target completes and purchases sample for this purpose, BSB will only be able to supply sample for the original targeted completes for any quarter after the state increases their target. If the state is unable to reach the new target complete level, SOS will not provide any additional BSB-purchased sample since SOS will not be able to determine what portion of any non-attained level is from the BSB purchase versus state purchase.

SOS will process as part of the state BRFSS file all records generated from state-purchase or BSB purchase so long as the above procedures are followed.

 




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This page last reviewed June 22, 2005

United States Department of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Division of Adult and Community Health