APPENDIX
Methodology
Survey Population
Varying Degrees was administered using NORC’s AmeriSpeak® Panel for the sample source. Funded and operated by NORC, AmeriSpeak is a probability-based panel designed to be representative of the US household population. A general population sample of U.S. adults 18 years of age and older was selected from NORC’s AmeriSpeak Panel for this study. Additional African-Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, and Asian Americans were also selected from NORC’s AmeriSpeak Panel for three specific race-ethnicity oversamples.
In total, NORC collected 1,512 interviews, 116 by phone mode and 1,396 by web mode.
Table of Sample Sizes, Margin of Error, and Design Effect
| Samples | Sample Size | Margin of Error | Design Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Population | 1,512 | 3.59% | 2.02378 |
| African-American | 269 | 7.64% | 1.63509 |
| Asian-American | 225 | 8.63% | 1.7447 |
| Hispanic/Latino | 330 | 7.76% | 2.06809 |
Data Collection Procedures
To administer the phone-survey, NORC dialed the sampled phone-mode panelists throughout the field period. To encourage study cooperation among web-mode panelists, NORC sent email and SMS text message reminders after the initial contact between Sunday, February 15th and Monday, February 24th. These web panelists were allowed to complete the survey via phone if convenient. Panelists were offered the cash equivalent of $3.
About AmeriSpeak
Funded and operated by NORC at the University of Chicago, AmeriSpeak® is a probability-based panel designed to be representative of the US household population. Randomly selected US households are sampled using area probability and address-based sampling, with a known, non-zero probability of selection from the NORC National Sample Frame. These sampled households are then contacted by US mail, telephone, and field interviewers (face to face). The panel provides sample coverage of approximately 97 percent of the U.S. household population. Those excluded from the sample include people with P.O. Box only addresses, some addresses not listed in the USPS Delivery Sequence File, and some newly constructed dwellings. While most AmeriSpeak households participate in surveys by web, non-internet households can participate in AmeriSpeak surveys by telephone. Households without conventional internet access but having web access via smartphones are allowed to participate in AmeriSpeak surveys by web. AmeriSpeak panelists participate in NORC studies or studies conducted by NORC on behalf of governmental agencies, academic researchers, and media and commercial organizations. For more information, email AmeriSpeak-BD@norc.org or visit AmeriSpeak.norc.org.