title: Drug use surveys: method and madness.
abstract: There are many measurement problems inherent in the drug survey field, e.g., defining dosages and choosing user categories. This paper discusses the pros and cons of interview techniques, mailed questionnaires, and group-administered questionnaires. The particular importance of the social psychology of the data gathering process is noted, including the provision of anonymity for the respondents and the establishment of credibility for the investigators. Means for dealing with these and also for improving reliability and validity are discussed, along with reasons for performing a survey, the nature and intent of the questions asked, and some other political and ethical issues.
mesh_terms: D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D011593:Psychology, Social; D012107:Research Design; D012494:Sampling Studies; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires