NCJ Number
249477
Date Published
December 2015
Length
58 pages
Annotation
This Appendix E of the "User's Guide to National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) Direct Variance Estimation" provides examples of the use of SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) with NCVS data.
Abstract
In SPSS, the NCVS sample design must be appropriately specified within a complex samples analysis plan, which is saved and referenced in all complex samples procedures. This plan specifies the analysis weight, stratification variables, and cluster variable. Because the analysis plan specifies the weight variable in addition to the stratification and cluster variables, separate plans must be created for analyses based on the modified incident-level, person-level, and household-level files. Analysis plans can be produced from the code provided in this appendix or by using the "Analysis Preparation Wizard." Before interpreting results produced by SPSS, the analyst must ensure that the appropriate analysis plan has been specified based on the type of estimate produced. Examples 1 and 2 in this appendix show how to estimate the total number of victimizations. Examples 3 and 4 demonstrate how to calculate the proportion of victimizations with given characteristics. Examples 5 and 6 indicate the calculation of personal and property victimization rates for victimization characteristics included on the modified person and household files. Example 7 involves the calculation of victimization rates for victimization characteristics not on the modified files. Examples are included for both single- and pooled-year estimates. Example 8 demonstrates how to identify low-quality estimates and implement the rounding recommended, which is discussed in "Section 4" of the user's guide.