At a glance
As you prepare for a CASPER, there are many planning questions to address. Work with leadership, key partners, and CASPER subject matter experts (SMEs) within your jurisdiction or CDC to help plan and prepare.
Background
Keep in mind that preparing for a CASPER can take several hours (e.g., during a response). Or, if time allows, it can take several months (e.g., in a non-disaster setting). The length of time to prepare is ultimately dependent on your CASPER objectives. The objectives will determine when field work needs to be conducted.
The first step is to develop clear objectives. Every CASPER will have different objectives, but they are important in determining if CASPER is the appropriate methodology. If so, the objectives will also determine the sampling frame and the questions to include on the questionnaire. See CASPER Toolkit Section 2.2 for more information.
Know the purpose
Vison, scope, and objectives
Understanding how the information is going to be used will help create a clear vision and narrow the scope. Having clear objectives helps ensure that you collect the appropriate data and that information is useful for public health action.
Partners
Partners will help inform the objectives of the CASPER. Identifying who will use the CASPER data is integral to the questions you will ask and how the results will be used.
Examples of partners are:
- Emergency management partners
- State health partners
- Local health partners
Timing
A CASPER can be conducted any time that the public health needs of a community, and the magnitude of those needs, are not well known. This could be during a disaster response or within a non-emergency setting. During a response, the following factors may affect the timing of the CASPER:
- Safety of the interview teams in the impacted area
- Population displacement
- Changing community needs
- Available resources
The objectives and timing of the CASPER are closely linked and should complement each other. Typically, a CASPER conducted with approximately 15 teams can be completed within two midweek (e.g., Tuesday-Thursday) afternoons (e.g., 2pm-7pm). Fewer teams, other days, or earlier hours will likely increase the length of data collection. Weekends and morning hours are less effective and may increase frustration among teams. Contact CDC for guidance and suggestions on scheduling your CASPER fieldwork.
Know your setting
Area of interest
It is important to decide what area of the territory, state, county, or city you want the results to reflect when determining the sampling frame (i.e., area in which the sample is drawn). If relevant, obtain information from other assessments conducted (e.g., flyovers and area damage assessments, state or national surveys). This information can be beneficial in determining your objectives and assessment area(s). CASPER results are descriptive of the entire sampling frame when there is at least an 80% completion rate. Keep this in mind when determining your sampling frame as it will affect the interpretation of your data.
Deadlines
Keep in mind your deadlines. A CASPER can be conducted in as short as 1-2 days in the field with preliminary results produced within 36 hours of completion of field data collection.
Know your sample
CASPER is a two-stage cluster sampling methodology. In the first stage, there are traditionally 30 clusters. The clusters are selected with a probability proportional to the estimated number of households within the clusters.
Identify someone who can select the sample appropriately. CDC SMEs are available for sampling and mapping assistance. Learn more about CASPER's Sampling Methodology.
Know your resources
Resources and approvals
Identify the necessary resources and approvals. These include:
- Interview team members (including transportation)
- Headquarters location
- Any funding needed and corresponding paperwork
- Institutional Review Board (IRB) paperwork
- Supplies and more
You can collect CASPER data via paper forms or electronic devices. Know what is available and the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Institutional review board (IRB) and CASPER
Be sure to follow your local IRB guidance for all CASPER-related activities and materials. CASPER typically does not require full IRB review. However, have your local IRB review the proposed activities in advance for confirmation.
Many times, especially during a response, you will complete a determination form to exempt the CASPER from the full IRB process. This is because CASPERs tend to be classified as public health non-research or practice and are not considered research.
Data analysis and results
After field data collection, data will need to be entered, cleaned, and analyzed. Once analysis is complete, it is important to disseminate the results for prompt action. The local lead of the CASPER is often the lead of this effort. The local lead helps coordinate the team members and actions involved throughout all phases of the CASPER. However, CDC SMEs are available for assistance.
Learn More
Check out the CASPER Toolkit, Section 2 for more information. A CASPER task list is also available to help as you plan and conduct the CASPER.