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The effect of question structure on self-reports of heavy drinking: closed-ended versus open-ended questions
Objective:
We compared open-ended versus closed-ended questions on the frequency of consuming five or more drinks in a single sitting.
Method:
From a general population survey of Ontario adults (N = 2,022, 62% male), we analyzed a subsample of 649 respondents who reported drinking five or more drinks in a single sitting at least once in the past year. Differences in agreement between the two questions and rates of missing data were evaluated.
Results:
For the most part, the two measures were not consistent, with the closed-ended question eliciting higher rates of heavier drinking. Rates of missing data were also higher for the open-ended question.
Conclusions:
Open-ended question may not necessarily be more suitable than closed-ended questions for estimating the frequency of heavy alcohol use.