ScholarLens Back to search
1997•Journal of Studies on AlcoholRequires access

The effect of question structure on self-reports of heavy drinking: closed-ended versus open-ended questions.

Frank Ivis, Susan J. Bondy, Edward M. Adlaf

Open publisher page 36 citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: We compared open-ended versus closed-ended questions on the frequency of consuming five or more drinks in a single sitting. METHOD: From a general population survey of Ontario adults (N = 2,022, 62% male), we analyzed a subsample of 649 respondents who reported drinking five or more drinks in a single sitting at least once in the past year. Differences in agreement between the two questions and rates of missing data were evaluated. RESULTS: For the most part, the two measures were not consistent, with the closed-ended question eliciting higher rates of heavier drinking. Rates of missing data were also higher for the open-ended question. CONCLUSIONS: Open-ended question may not necessarily be more suitable than closed-ended questions for estimating the frequency of heavy alcohol use.

About this research paper

What this paper is about

OBJECTIVE: We compared open-ended versus closed-ended questions on the frequency of consuming five or more drinks in a single sitting. METHOD: From a general population survey of Ontario adults (N = 2,022, 62% male), we analyzed a subsample of 649 respondents who reported drinking five or more drinks in a single sitting at least once in the past year. Differences in agreement between the two questions and rates of missing data were evaluated. RESULTS: For the most part, the two measures were not consistent, with the closed-ended question eliciting higher rates of heavier drinking. Rates of missing data were also higher for the open-ended question. CONCLUSIONS: Open-ended question may not necessarily be more suitable than closed-ended questions for estimating the frequency of heavy alcohol use.

Why it matters

OpenAlex reports 36 citations for this work. Citation counts describe recorded attention and do not establish research quality.

Key contribution

A contribution statement is not available in the OpenAlex record.

Method / approach

Method details are not available in the OpenAlex metadata.

Main findings

Findings are not separately available in the OpenAlex metadata.

Limitations

Limitations are not available in the OpenAlex metadata.

Applications

Application details are not available in the OpenAlex metadata.

Available abstract

OBJECTIVE: We compared open-ended versus closed-ended questions on the frequency of consuming five or more drinks in a single sitting. METHOD: From a general population survey of Ontario adults (N = 2,022, 62% male), we analyzed a subsample of 649 respondents who reported drinking five or more drinks in a single sitting at least once in the past year. Differences in agreement between the two questions and rates of missing data were evaluated. RESULTS: For the most part, the two measures were not consistent, with the closed-ended question eliciting higher rates of heavier drinking. Rates of missing data were also higher for the open-ended question. CONCLUSIONS: Open-ended question may not necessarily be more suitable than closed-ended questions for estimating the frequency of heavy alcohol use.

Key concepts: Closed-ended question, Sitting, Psychology, Demography, Heavy drinking, Population, Medicine, Social psychology

Related papers

Related paper 1Related paper 2Related paper 3
Back to paper searchBrowse research topicsOriginal source
The effect of question structure on self-reports of heavy drinking: closed-ended versus open-ended questions. — Research Paper | ScholarLens