Interviewers - Description

There are more than 1600 CPS field representatives or interviewers nationwide; most live in their assigned areas. The typical interviewer is a woman in her late 40s with over 5 years of CPS experience. A vast majority of CPS interviewers also work for the Bureau of the Census on other survey programs.

New CPS interviewers receive extensive training before they begin to collect data. First, they complete a 20-hour self study on the basics of interviewing and labor force concepts. Next, they attend 3 days of classroom training, where they learn about area segment listing, how to answer respondents questions, and using the computer. They also practice interviewing each other using their assigned laptop computer. Upon completing classroom training, interviewers complete a 10-hour home study, which includes a 'live' practice interview with a Census field supervisor.

During their first two months of interviewing, they will receive on-the-job training from a field supervisor. Subsequently, they will be observed at least once each year and receive any special training deemed appropriate by the supervisor. In addition, interviewers receive feedback on their current month's performance within 3 working days of the end of data collection.

In many PSUs, a single interviewer is responsible for all data collection activities. Partly to give interviewers an opportunity to meet with other interviewers and, partly, to prepare for the Annual Demographic Survey, one-day group training sessions are held before interviewing week each March. Often, in-depth discussions are held on special topics, like keeping response rates high, improving occupational descriptions, or distinguishing between active and passive job search activities.

Interviewers also hone their skills by completing a self-study each month. The topics vary and help reinforce concepts which may be rarely used. For example, an interviewer may only occasionally encounter someone on jury duty, a school teacher on summer vacation, or a free-lance writer working for several magazines. In these types of situations, the interviewer may have to answer questions from the respondent or ask probing questions.

Annual Demographic Survey (March 1996 CPS) -Data Collection - Interviewers Page

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