An Internet-based survey method for college student drinking research

• Published in: Drug and alcohol dependence 2004-10, Vol.76 (1), p.45-53
• Main Authors: Kypri, Kypros, Gallagher, Stephen J., Cashell-Smith, Martine L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Addictive behaviors; Adolescent; Adult; Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Alcohol consumption; Alcohol Drinking - epidemiology; Australia; Biological and medical sciences; College; Colleges; Data Collection - methods; Data Collection - standards; Drinking; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Internet; Internet - standards; Medical sciences; Psychoanalysis; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Random Allocation; Student; Students; Students - statistics & numerical data; Survey; Surveys; Universities - statistics & numerical data
• ISSN: 0376-8716; 1879-0046
• DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2004.04.001

The purpose of this study was to describe and assess the utility of an Internet-based survey method for characterizing the alcohol consumption of college students. After extensive pilot research, a random sample of 1910 students aged 16–29 years was invited to complete a questionnaire, consisting of a series of web-pages linked to a relational database on a secure web-site. A branch structure allowed for tailoring of survey items by age and gender. The students received up to nine contacts, including a pre-notice letter with a token gift and an e-mail invitation (Phase 1), a reminder letter and e-mail message (Phase 2), and then telephone reminders and replacement access codes (Phase 3). Non-computer-users were offered a pen-and-paper alternative, making this a mixed-mode survey. The overall response to the survey was 82% ( n=1564). The median completion time was 16.7 min. Participants’ comments showed high levels of satisfaction with the survey. Comparison of web ( n=1501) versus pen-and-paper completions ( n=63) revealed no modality effects. Technical problems addressed during the course of implementation included web-browser-operating system incompatibilities, and periodic network errors, although these resulted in little lost participation. Internet-based surveys are feasible for college student research and with carefully managed recruitment, can yield a high response.