NCJ Number
224016
Journal
Journal of Alcohol and Drug Education Volume: 52 Issue: 2 Dated: August 2008 Pages: 49-72
Date Published
August 2008
Length
24 pages
Annotation
This study compared techniques used in data collection on sensitive issues related to alcohol consumption and sexual decisionmaking.
Abstract
Using a difference of proportion test, the results suggest that the unmatched-count technique (UCT) method was more effective in eliciting affirmative responses to sensitive questions. Gender effects were also identified, as both males' and females' responses challenged cultural stereotypes of perpetration and victimization. This work, drawing on the literature on alcohol consumption, sexual behavior, and researching sensitive topics, sought to test the efficacy of the unmatched-count technique (UCT) in establishing higher rates of truthful self-reporting when compared to traditional survey techniques. It was posited that traditional techniques grossly underestimated the scope of problems when the questions asked were socially sensitive. The work was said to have addressed several shortcomings in existing literature, contributed to the emergent empirical research employing the UCT, and cast a critical eye on prevailing base rates. Additional discussion included policy implications and avenues for future research. The study employed a large student sample from a midwestern university, in which randomly assigned students completed either a traditional or UCT self-report survey. Data were derived from a sample consisting of 842 students, 306 males and 536 females, with 70 percent between the ages of 21 and 23, and no significant between-group differences in sample demographics. Tables, references, appendix A and B