Collecting data on alcohol use and alcohol-related victimization: a comparison of telephone and Web-based survey methods.
OBJECTIVE
Traditionally, personal contact with an experienced interviewer has been thought to facilitate collection of data on alcohol use and victimization experiences. Recent studies indicate that Web-based surveys may be an efficient alternative for gathering these sensitive data. To date, telephone interviewing and Web-based collection of data on alcohol-related negative consequences, particularly victimization, have not been compared. This study was designed to compare data from an interviewer-administered and Web-based survey on alcohol use and alcohol-related negative consequences in a sample of college women.


METHODS
Seven hundred women from a second semester freshmen college class were randomly selected to participate in either the telephone interview or Web-based modes of survey administration.


RESULTS
Fifty-three percent of invited women (N = 370) completed the survey. Completion rates were higher, and estimated dollar costs were significantly lower, for the Web-based survey. There were no differences in reported rates of alcohol or drug use by survey method; however, there were differences in several specific alcohol-related negative consequences.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that, for college women, Web-based surveys versus telephone interviews can be an effective and more cost-efficient means for collecting data on alcohol use and related negative consequences, particularly victimization. In addition, we found some evidence that women may be more forthcoming when responding to a Web-based survey as compared with an interviewer-administered telephone survey.
State University of New York at Buffalo, Research Institute on Addictions, 1021 Main Street, Buffalo, New York 14203, USA. parks@ria.buffalo.edu
Kathleen A
KA
Parks
Ann M
AM
Pardi
Clara M
CM
Bradizza
D000293:Adolescent; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003625:Data Collection / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D020407:Internet / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D009518:New York; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012737:Sex Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology
D013287:Illicit Drugs