%0 Journal Article
%T Addressing bias in email surveys on college students' alcohol use: a comparison of strategies and implications for health promotion
%J American journal of health education
%D 2019
%A Penn, Jeremy D.
%A Thompson, Erika L. Beseler
%V 50
%N 5
%P 272-282
%X BACKGROUND: Email surveys of health behaviors are convenient and low cost, but concerns remain regarding data accuracy and implications for health promotion. <br><br>PURPOSE: Compare the accuracy of email-collected survey data with classroom-collected data on college students' alcohol use, and compare strategies for addressing inaccuracies, including demographic weighting and continuum of resistance model. <br><br>METHODS: Data were gathered via email survey of 2,991 community college and research university students in October 2016 and via an in-person survey of 737 students at these same institutions in February 2017. <br><br>RESULTS: Classroom respondents were significantly more likely to report alcohol use and high-risk alcohol use, and reported more average weekly drinks than email respondents. Demographic weighting and the continuum of resistance model improved estimates but did not fix all inaccuracies. <br><br>DISCUSSION: Use caution in interpreting results from email surveys on alcohol use if those results do not include information on estimated nonresponse bias. Translation to Health Education practice: Results from email alcohol surveys should be weighted for demographic differences - particularly age and sex - and should use the continuum of resistance modification if indicated. Recommend collecting additional data through anon-email method to improve accuracy of estimates and inform decision-making about interventions and programs.A AJHE Self-Study quiz is online for this article via the SHAPE America Online Institute (SAOI) http://portal.shapeamerica.org/trn-Webinars<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
%G en
%I Informa - Taylor and Francis Group
%@ 1932-5037
%U http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/19325037.2019.1642813