2015 NSDUH Methodology Resources

The 2014 and 2015 Redesign Changes report describes changes in the 2014 and 2015 NSDUHs. These changes were designed to increase the efficiency of data collection and processing, as well as improve the quality of data collected. In 2015, changes were made to the survey questionnaire to improve the quality of the data collected, expand the number of prescription drugs covered, and address changing substance use and mental health policy and research needs. The report provides information on the key changes made as well as some of the potential implications for data users.

2015 Methodological Summary and Definitions report summarizes the information users need to properly interpret NSDUH estimates related to substance use and mental health. This report provides information on overall methodology, key definitions for terms used in 2015 NSDUH reports, and analyses of these measures and of the survey as a whole. This report is organized into seven sections:

• Section A describes the survey, including information about the sample design; data collection procedures; and key aspects of data processing, such as development of analysis weights.
• Section B presents technical details on the statistical methods and measurement, such as suppression criteria for unreliable estimates, statistical testing procedures, and issues for selected substance use and mental health measures.
• Section C describes changes that were made to the 2015 NSDUH questionnaire and the effects of these changes on the comparability of estimates between 2015 and earlier years.
• Section D includes a glossary that covers key definitions used the NSDUH reports and tables.
• Section E describes other sources of data on substance use and mental health issues, including data sources for populations outside the NSDUH target population.
• Section F lists references cited in the report.
• Section G lists contributors to the report.

This Methodological Resource Book (MRB) is intended to serve as documentation of survey materials and methodology associated with the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). The MRB includes details associated with data collection and processing, including sampling, instrument testing and development, weighting, imputation, and statistical analyses and inferences.