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Contradictory subject response in longitudinal research

K P Weinfurt1, P J Bush

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, D.C. 20007, USA.

Journal of Studies on Alcohol
|May 1, 1996
PubMed
Summary

Longitudinal substance abuse surveys reveal significant logical and estimation errors in student self-reports. Researchers must account for these data inaccuracies in adolescent substance use studies.

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Area of Science:

  • Adolescent Health
  • Substance Abuse Research
  • Longitudinal Studies

Background:

  • Investigating substance abuse in elementary and junior high school students.
  • Understanding the prevalence of logical and estimation errors in self-reported data.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the frequency of logical and estimation errors in a four-year longitudinal survey of substance abuse among students.
  • To identify factors associated with these errors in adolescent populations.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal survey data collected annually for four years from predominantly Black students in the District of Columbia (grades 4/5 to 7/8).
  • Calculation of logical and estimation errors for alcohol, cigarette, and marijuana use.
  • Assessment of demographic and academic variables as potential correlates of errors.

Main Results:

  • Logical errors decreased with age, while estimation errors remained stable across the study period.
  • Marijuana use showed the highest frequency of logical errors but the lowest estimation errors.
  • Students making errors were more likely to have lower grades, be perceived as untrustworthy, and be male; prior errors predicted future errors.

Conclusions:

  • The high prevalence of logical and estimation errors in longitudinal substance abuse surveys is a critical concern.
  • Researchers should implement methods to assess and report error rates in adolescent data.
  • Acknowledging and reporting these data limitations is essential for accurate interpretation of findings.

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