From Experiment to Insight: Shaping the Future of Justice Surveys

Session Submission Type: Complete Thematic Panel

Abstract/Description

In general, collections conducted by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) have largely been spared dramatic declines in survey response rates. Partially this is due to the specific attributes of each of the collections, but it is also related to ongoing survey experimentation within BJS to maintain or increase response rates.
In this panel, we showcase methodological research from four recent BJS collections designed to lower respondent burden and nonresponse bias while providing high quality data. This panel includes a discussion of contact strategies to elicit response for a survey of law enforcement agencies; experiments embedded in a survey of attorneys; the introduction of virtual interviewing in a survey of prison inmates; and the challenges and opportunities of respondent recruitment from tribal communities. In addition, the panel will focus on discussing upcoming survey methodological experiments in justice-related collections, including sharing noteworthy insights, lessons learned, and guiding principles to inform the wider field.

Sub Unit

• Area XI. Methodology / 83. Advances in Experimental Methods

Individual Presentations

• Innovations in Improving Response Rates for Law Enforcement Agency Surveys - Alexia Cooper, Bureau of Justice Statistics

• Methodological Considerations for the Pilot Survey of Public Defenders - Ryan Kling, Bureau of Justice Statistics

• Exploratory Virtual Interviewing for the Survey of Prison Inmates (SPI) Research and Development Field Test - Emily Buehler, Bureau of Justice Statistics

• Improving Tribal Justice Data: Consultation, Recruitment and Cognitive Testing Strategies for Law Enforcement Agencies and Court Systems in Indian Country - Steven Perry, DOJ / OJP / Bureau of Justice Statistics

Chair

• Melissa Cidade, Bureau of Justice Statistics

Discussant

• Shelley Hyland, Bureau of Justice Statistics

Organized by a Division or external group?

Bureau of Justice Statistics