title: Tracking Biases: An Update to the Validity and Reliability of Alcohol Retail Sales Data for Estimating Population Consumption in Scotland.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To highlight the importance of monitoring biases when using retail sales data to estimate population alcohol consumption.
  
  
  METHODS
  Previously, we identified and where possible quantified sources of bias that may lead to under- or overestimation of alcohol consumption in Scotland. Here, we update findings by using more recent data and by quantifying emergent biases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Underestimation resulting from the net effect of biases on population consumption in Scotland increased from -4% in 2010 to -7% in 2013.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Biases that might impact on the validity and reliability of sales data when estimating population consumption should be routinely monitored and updated.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK.
authors.forename: Audrey
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Henderson
authors.affiliation: Public Health Observatory, Public Health Science Directorate, NHS Health Scotland, Glasgow, UK markrobinson1@nhs.net.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.affiliation: Public Health Observatory, Public Health Science Directorate, NHS Health Scotland, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McAdams
authors.affiliation: Public Health Observatory, Public Health Science Directorate, NHS Health Scotland, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: Gerry
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: McCartney
authors.affiliation: Public Health Observatory, Public Health Science Directorate, NHS Health Scotland, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: Clare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Beeston
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000434:Alcoholic Beverages / Q000191:economics*; D003132:Commerce / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012606:Scotland / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult