A multistage area probability sample for each of the 50
states and the District of Columbia was used since 1999. The 2005 NSDUH is the
first survey in a coordinated five-year sample design. Although there
is no overlap with the 1999-2004 samples, the coordinated design for
2005 through 2009 facilitated a 50 percent overlap in second-stage
units (area segments [see below]) between each two successive years
from 2005 through 2009. This design was intended to increase the precision of
estimates in year-to-year trend analyses because of the expected
positive correlation resulting from the overlapping sample between
successive survey years. The 2005 design allows for computation of
estimates by state in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia.
States may therefore be viewed as the first level of stratification as
well as a reporting variable. Eight states, referred to as the large
sample states, had a sample designed to yield 3,600 respondents per
state for the 2005 survey. This sample size was considered adequate to
support direct state estimates. The remaining 43 states (which include
the District of Columbia) had a sample designed to yield 900 respondents
per state in the 2005 survey. In these 43 states, adequate data were
available to support reliable state estimates based on SAE methodology.
Within each state, sampling strata called state sampling (SS) regions
were formed. Based on a composite size measure, states were partitioned
geographically into roughly equal-sized regions. In other words,
regions were formed such that each area yielded, in expectation,
roughly the same number of interviews during each data collection
period. The eight large sample states were divided into 48 SS regions
each. The remaining states were divided into 12 SS regions each.
Therefore, the partitioning of the United States resulted in the
formation of a total of 900 SS regions. Unlike the 1999 through 2004
surveys, the first stage of selection for the 2005 through 2009 NSDUHs
was Census tracts. The first stage of selection began with the
construction of an area sample frame that contained one record for each
Census tract in the United States. If necessary, Census tracts were
aggregated within SS regions until each tract had, at a minimum, 150
dwelling units in urban areas and 100 dwelling units in rural areas.
These Census tracts served as the primary sampling units (PSUs) for the
coordinated five-year sample. One area segment (one or more Census blocks) was selected within each sampled Census tract. In advance of the survey period, specially
trained listers had visited each area segment and listed all addresses
for housing units and eligible group quarters units in a prescribed
order. Systematic sampling was used to select the allocated sample of
addresses from each segment. Each respondent who completed a full
interview was given a $30 cash payment as a token of appreciation for
his or her time. To improve the precision of the estimates, the sample
allocation process targeted five age groups: 12 to 17 years, 18 to 25
years, 26 to 34 years, 35 to 49 years, and 50 years or older. The size
measures used in selecting the area segments were coordinated with the
dwelling unit and person selection process so that a nearly
self-weighting sample could be achieved in each of the five age groups.
The achieved sample size for the 2005 survey was 68,308 persons. The
public use file contains 55,905 records due to a subsampling step used
in the disclosure protection procedures. A key step in the data
processing procedures established the minimum item response
requirements in order for cases to be retained for weighting and
further analysis (i.e., "usable" cases). These requirements, as well
as full sampling methodology, are detailed in the codebook.
The civilian, noninstitutionalized population of the
United States aged 12 and older, including residents of
noninstitutional group quarters such as college dormitories, group
homes, shelters, rooming houses, and civilians dwelling on military
installations.
individual
survey data
audio computer-assisted self interview (ACASI)
computer-assisted personal interview (CAPI)
Strategies for ensuring high rates of participation
resulted in a weighted screening response rate of 91 percent and a
weighted interview response rate for the CAI of 76 percent. (Note that
these response rates reflect the original sample, not the subsampled
data file referenced in this document.)