Learning Objectives: Understand the data processing procedures used for the YTS. Attendees will be able to apply these techniques to similar surveys.
Abstract: This presentation will discuss the data processing techniques used for the YTS. The YTS is a national and state-based, multi-stage school-based survey administered to middle and high school students in either the fall or spring semester. States use the YTS to establish and maintain surveillance of youth tobacco behaviors and attitudes and to develop, implement, and evaluate state tobacco control programs. This processing strategy has been applied to over 300 data sets in approximately 40 states since the inception of the YTS in 1998. States conducting the YTS use a common sampling methodology, “core” questionnaire, and similar field procedures. CDC has developed a data processing strategy that begins with scanning respondent data into an electronic format and ends with production of tables, codebooks, sample description documentation, and cleaned, edited, and weighted data sets. The presenter will discuss the data flow and the steps involved in creating final YTS data products. This will include a detailed explanation of the cleaning/editing of the data, the rationale and formation of created variables, and calculation of response rates. An explanation of weighting procedures including non-response adjustments (school, class, and student) and post-stratification will also be covered. Participants will become informed data users of their states’ YTS data and other organizations will be able to apply this model to other surveys preformed by state and independent organizations.
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