ERIC Number: EJ842859
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2004
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1538-8220
EISSN: N/A
Data Quality in Student Risk Behavior Surveys and Administrator Training
Cross, Jennifer E.; Newman-Gonchar, Rebecca
Journal of School Violence, v3 n2-3 p89-108 2004
This study examined the influence of survey validity screening on the results from three group-administered school surveys administered to samples totaling approximately 5500 students in 19 schools. The estimated levels of risk behaviors, antisocial behaviors, and victim experiences were substantially reduced when respondents who gave multiple inconsistent or extreme responses to other survey items were screened out of the data. The researchers also observed that the percentage of students giving inconsistent and illogically extreme responses was greater among those surveys given by an untrained administrator, raising the hypothesis that administrator training could be a critical factor in obtaining more consistent and trustworthy survey data. These results indicate that it may be important to train school staff in survey administration and to screen surveys for validity in order to improve the accuracy of student self-report surveys. (Contains 5 tables and 3 notes.)
Descriptors: School Surveys, Risk, Student Behavior, Research Administration, Research Methodology, Research Problems, Research Skills, Experimenter Characteristics, Statistical Bias, Response Style (Tests), Item Analysis, Statistical Studies, Behavior Problems
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Secondary Education
Audience: Administrators
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A