NCJ Number
185363
Journal
Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy Volume: 7 Issue: 2 Dated: May 2000 Pages: 139-146
Date Published
May 2000
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This article reviews the application and limitations of two studies that attempted to find out about young people's ideas on drugs and drug use.
Abstract
The first study assessed primary school children's drug education needs and the second study evaluated secondary school students' life skills programs. The studies' methods comprised individual questionnaires using structured observation, unstructured questions, stories, classroom observation, and focus groups. Methodology problems and limitations that are of particular importance in the drug education context are validity, partnership in learning, and confidentiality. Within the category of validity, the article discusses approximation, generalizability, and evaluating future drug use. It stresses the importance of being honest with young subjects, and some limits to the concept of confidentiality. The article also describes some practical problems, including planning and administering questionnaires, and other techniques and analyzing and interpreting data obtained. The article presents suggestions on how researchers and teachers might select the most appropriate methodology or technique for the experience and ability of the respondents and for their own particular purposes. Figure, references