Eliminating invalid self-report survey data

Psychol Rep. 2001 Aug;89(1):166-8. doi: 10.2466/pr0.2001.89.1.166.

Abstract

A sample of 6,370 students in Grades 6 to 8 completed a questionnaire on their attitudes and use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. A subsample showed questionable data based on three criteria: missing responses, invalid responses, and inconsistent responses. Analysis indicated that this subsample was significantly different from the main group on demographic variables and self-reported life-time tobacco use. Results support efforts to identify and eliminate invalid data.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Alcohol Drinking / epidemiology*
  • Bias
  • Chicago / epidemiology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Health Surveys*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Self Disclosure
  • Smoking / epidemiology*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / epidemiology*