- Title
- An internet-based survey method for college student drinking research
- Creator
- Kypri, Kypros; Gallagher, Stephen J.; Cashell-Smith, Martine L.
- Relation
- Drug and Alcohol Dependence Vol. 76, Issue 1, p. 45-53
- Publisher Link
- http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2004.04.001
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Resource Type
- journal article
- Date
- 2004
- Description
- The purpose of this study was to describe and assess the utility of an Internet-based survey method for characterizing the alcohol consumption of college students. After extensive pilot research, a random sample of 1910 students aged 16–29 years was invited to complete a questionnaire, consisting of a series of web-pages linked to a relational database on a secure web-site. A branch structure allowed for tailoring of survey items by age and gender. The students received up to nine contacts, including a pre-notice letter with a token gift and an e-mail invitation (Phase 1), a reminder letter and e-mail message (Phase 2), and then telephone reminders and replacement access codes (Phase 3). Non-computer-users were offered a pen-and-paper alternative, making this a mixed-mode survey. The overall response to the survey was 82% (n=1564). The median completion time was 16.7 min. Participants’ comments showed high levels of satisfaction with the survey. Comparison of web (n=1501) versus pen-and-paper completions (n=63) revealed no modality effects. Technical problems addressed during the course of implementation included web-browser-operating system incompatibilities, and periodic network errors, although these resulted in little lost participation. Internet-based surveys are feasible for college student research and with carefully managed recruitment, can yield a high response.
- Subject
- college; student; drinking; internet; survey
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/30410
- Identifier
- uon:2675
- Identifier
- ISSN:0376-8716
- Language
- eng
- Full Text
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