Research and Development Survey (RANDS)

The Research and Development Survey (RANDS) is an ongoing series of surveys conducted by the Division of Research and Methodology at the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). These surveys use recruited, probability-sampled, commercial survey panels and are designed to explore the feasibility of using these panels to collect information on national health outcomes and to supplement NCHS’ question evaluation and research program with quantitative methodologies for measuring error.

Research involving RANDS has included methods to identify measurement error and to calibrate survey estimates. Several topics have been included on the RANDS questionnaires, including access to and use of health care, chronic conditions, general health, health insurance, opioid use, physical activity, psychological distress, smoking, and COVID-19. Questions on RANDS have been used for comparisons with the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS), and the National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG).