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A procedure for reducing errors in reports of life events
L C Sobell1, T Toneatto, M B Sobell
1Clinical Institute, Addiction Research Foundation, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Journal of Psychosomatic Research
|January 1, 1990
Summary
Memory aids significantly reduce errors in reporting life events by improving recall consistency and accuracy. This technique aids in recalling more events and provides more reliable responses between interviews.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Cognitive Psychology
- Research Methodology
Background:
- Life event inventories are widely used, but reporting errors remain a concern.
- Limited research exists on the effectiveness of recall techniques in mitigating these errors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of memory aids in reducing errors in life event reports.
- To explore participant explanations for inconsistent life event reporting across interviews.
Main Methods:
- Seventy-one college students were randomly assigned to a memory aid (MA) group or a no memory aid (NMA) group.
- Data were collected over two interviews, assessing life event recall accuracy and reliability.
Main Results:
- The memory aid group demonstrated significantly fewer errors in reporting dating events.
- Memory aids enhanced response consistency and test-retest reliability between interviews.
- Participants using memory aids recalled more life events and exhibited fewer inconsistencies.
Conclusions:
- Memory aid procedures can effectively reduce errors in reporting life events.
- These aids differentially improve recall for subjective versus objective life events.