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Inconsistent responses to questions about alcohol consumption in specified settings
The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse
|January 1, 1986
Summary
Survey respondents sometimes reported drinking more alcohol in specific settings than their total alcohol consumption. This suggests context-specific questions may distort drinking behavior data.
Area of Science:
- Social Science Research Methods
- Alcohol Consumption Studies
Background:
- National surveys are crucial for understanding public health behaviors.
- Accurate data on alcohol consumption is vital for policy and intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate response distortions in survey data on drinking practices.
- To assess the impact of specific contextual cues on self-reported alcohol consumption.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of a 1979 national survey on drinking practices.
- Examination of inconsistencies in reported alcohol consumption across different settings.
Main Results:
- A significant number of respondents reported higher alcohol intake in specific contexts (bars, parties) than overall.
- This inconsistency suggests a systematic bias in self-reporting when contexts are specified.
Conclusions:
- Context-specific questions in surveys may lead to response distortions.
- Caution is advised when interpreting survey data on drinking in specified contexts.