NCJ Number
211030
Journal
Journal of Drug Education Volume: 34 Issue: 4 Dated: 2004 Pages: 373-383
Date Published
2004
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This study explored the feasibility of using a self-administered Web-based survey to collect data on alcohol and other drug use from secondary students.
Abstract
The widespread use of computers within elementary and secondary schools in the United States has brought up the question of using Web-based surveys to collect data from students. The current study explored the feasibility of collecting data on alcohol and other drug use using a self-administered Web-based survey in a racially and economically diverse urban school setting. Variables under examination included response rate, data quality, substantive responses, data processing time, and school district acceptance. The entire population of 1,723 students in grades 6 through 11 in an urban public school district in the Midwest were recruited for the study; the final sample consisted of 1,536 students, a response rate of 89.1 percent. Overall, the findings demonstrate that Web-based surveys can be successfully implemented in urban public school districts among secondary school students. The fast turn around time for data analysis has important implications for prevention and intervention programs assessing student risk. Future success of Web-based surveys will depend on school administration and parent support, as well as easy computer access for all students. Table, references