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SUPPORTING STATEMENT – PART B
B. COLLECTIONS OF INFORMATION EMPLOYING STATISTICAL METHODS
1. Description of the Activity
The purpose of the project is to answer the following two questions:
1. What types of military settings may have unique structural or systemic characteristics
that may help or hinder integrated primary prevention (i.e., complex military
settings)?
2. How might the structural and systemic enablers, barriers and gaps at these complex
military settings impact the effectiveness of integrated primary prevention?

To answer these questions, this project will conduct focus groups to gather qualitative data,
described below.
This data collection involves conducting 3 to 4 virtual focus groups with participants from
exemplars of the types of complex military settings facing unique structural or systematic
barriers (e.g., joint base, remote, isolated) to understand the impact that the barriers and
facilitators are having on prevention efforts. The focus groups could include military service
members and civilians employed at military installations as an IPP personnel. We anticipate 5-8
participants in each virtual focus group. The focus group will be 60 minutes and be conducted
using an online meeting software. Focus group participants will be asked about the occupational,
functional structures, geographic or other organizational features that may be associated with
barriers/facilitators or gaps in the prevention system or unique needs at their locations; what the
most impactful barriers/facilitators; and what are the highest priority barriers/facilitators to
address/maintain.

2. Procedures for the Collection of Information
To identify focus group participants, RAND will seek nominations from DoD
Services/component POCs as well as work with DoD SAPRO to identify appropriate Service
members. We anticipate that nominations could come in two ways: a military location (e.g.,
installation or ship) that is an exemplary of the complex military is nominated and RAND works
with DoD SAPRO to identify a POC for that location; or an individual is nominated and RAND
works with the nominating person for recruitment. Once the potential focus group participants
are identified, we will solicit input on their availability via email. Those who volunteer will be
placed into one of the 3-4 focus groups. Virtual 60-minute focus groups will then be conducted
using Zoom.gov or Microsoft Teams. During the focus groups, notes will be taken electronically
by a RAND staff member.
3. Maximization of Response Rates, Non-response, and Reliability

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Non-applicable. This is a qualitative data collection among identified volunteers. As such, it
doesn’t seek to maximize response rates, non-response, and reliability. Instead, this qualitative
data collection focuses on maximizing participation among the volunteers by scheduling the
focus groups based on participant availability and sending an email reminder to participants
about the focus groups the day before and the day of the focus group.
4. Tests of Procedures
For focus group protocols and questions, we solicited input from DoD SAPRO and from a group
of DoD Service/component staff. This feedback enhanced the utility of the focus group protocol
and questions.
5. Statistical Consultation and Information Analysis
a. Provide names and telephone number of individual(s) consulted on statistical aspects of the
design.
Non-applicable. There are no statistical aspects of this work – it is all qualitative.
b. Provide name and organization of person(s) who will actually collect and analyze the collected
information.
No statistical analysis will be performed. Only a qualitative synthesis of the collected
information will occur.
Joie Acosta*

Kyleanne Hunter*

Jill Donaghy*

Jessica Phillips*

*RAND Corporation.

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Sapna Mendon-Plasek*