Data Collection Procedures
The Pathways study relies primarily on self-report information from study participants. Study participants completed a
- baseline interview (first baseline interview completed in November, 2000; last baseline interview completed in March, 2003)
- follow-up interviews at the 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 48, 60, 72 and 84 months past baseline (first follow up interview completed in May, 2001; last follow up interview completed in March, 2010)
- release interviews within 30 days of release from a stay in a residential facility
Data were collected with computer-assisted interviews that took place in the participants' homes, in libraries (or other public places), or in facilities. All measures and associated skip patterns were programmed onto laptop computers. Trained interviewers read each item aloud, and to maximize privacy, respondents could choose to enter their responses on a key pad. Honest reporting was encouraged, and confidentiality was assured by confidentiality protections provided by statute to the Department of Justice.
This self-report information is supplemented and validated through
- interviews with collateral reporters
- official record information
- FBI records of arrest
- Juvenile and adult court records from each jurisdiction
Detailed information regarding the enrollment process, study procedures, and sample characteristics (for participants and excluded cases) can be found in:
Schubert, C.A., Mulvey, E.P., Steinberg, L., Cauffman, E., Losoya, S.H., Hecker, T., Chassin, L., Knight, G.P. (2004). Operational Lessons from the Pathways to Desistance Study. Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice, 2(3), 237-255.