Methodological Research to Support the National Survey of Children’s Exposure to Violence

This report describes comprehensive efforts to review and assess the National Survey of Children’s Exposure to Violence (NatSCEV) and recommend revised approaches. The NatSCEV study design and methodology warranted reassessment because response rates have seriously declined over NatSCEV cycles, decreasing from 79% of eligible respondents in 2003 to rates as low as 10% for some components of the sample in 2014. To improve future NatSCEV response rates, Westat and the Crimes Against Children Research Center at the University of New Hampshire collaborated with the Bureau of Justice Statistics and Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to consider a range of design options, such as by using online questionnaire and internet panels.