ERIC Number: EJ1228379
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1932-5037
EISSN: N/A
Addressing Bias in Email Surveys on College Students' Alcohol Use: A Comparison of Strategies and Implications for Health Promotion
American Journal of Health Education, v50 n5 p272-282 2019
Background: Email surveys of health behaviors are convenient and low cost, but concerns remain regarding data accuracy and implications for health promotion. Purpose: Compare the accuracy of email-collected survey data with classroom-collected data on college students' alcohol use, and compare strategies for addressing inaccuracies, including demographic weighting and continuum of resistance model. Methods: Data were gathered via email survey of 2,991 community college and research university students in October 2016 and via an in-person survey of 737 students at these same institutions in February 2017. Results: Classroom respondents were significantly more likely to report alcohol use and high-risk alcohol use, and reported more average weekly drinks than email respondents. Demographic weighting and the continuum of resistance model improved estimates but did not fix all inaccuracies. Discussion: Use caution in interpreting results from email surveys on alcohol use if those results do not include information on estimated nonresponse bias. Translation to Health Education practice: Results from email alcohol surveys should be weighted for demographic differences -- particularly age and sex -- and should use the continuum of resistance modification if indicated. Recommend collecting additional data through anon-email method to improve accuracy of estimates and inform decision-making about interventions and programs.A AJHE Self-Study quiz is online for this article via the SHAPE America Online Institute (SAOI) http://portal.shapeamerica.org/trn-Webinars
Descriptors: Electronic Mail, Student Surveys, Health Behavior, College Students, Drinking, Accuracy, Two Year College Students, Alcohol Abuse, Research Methodology, Gender Differences, Age Differences, Responses, At Risk Persons, Test Bias
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education; Two Year Colleges
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A