Increasing the Validity of Self-Report Data in Effectiveness Trials (From Drug Abuse Prevention Intervention Research: Methodological Issues, P 235-247, 1991, Carl G. Leukefeld and William J. Bukoski, eds. - see NCJ-140135)

• NCJ Number: 140148
• Author(s): S G Forman; J A Linney
• Date Published: 1991
• Length: 13 pages
• Corporate Author: US Dept of Health and Human Services
• Sale Source: Superintendent of Documents, GPO; National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: NIDA Research Monograph 107

Annotation

While the self-report alcohol and drug use survey remains the most common instrument for assessing the effectiveness of preventive interventions, some problems can arise concerning the validity of such data. Participant underreporting of drug and alcohol use, perceptions of the intervention program, and selection criteria for participation in the intervention may bias self-reports.

Abstract

Researchers have proposed several methods of increasing the validity of self-report data used in both effectiveness and efficacy trials. The self-report instrument could include unambiguous time-and-event-grounded items to prevent participants from misrepresenting or withholding information about their behaviors. The use of multiple items assessing the same or contingent behaviors in the survey instrument could also increase confidence in the validity of results. Self-monitoring techniques have been used to increase the accuracy and specificity of self-report data. Bogus pipeline procedures and physiological measures could enhance the validity of self-reports. A construct validity model for effectiveness trials would include informants (peers, teachers, parents), additional methods (direct observation), and the collection of archival data on related indicators. 32 references