Reaching a representative sample of college students: A comparative analysis. Issue 3 (2nd April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Giovenco, Daniel P.; Gundersen, Daniel A.; Delnevo, Cristine D.
• Is Part Of: Journal of American college health. Volume 64:Issue 3(2016)
• Page Start: 262
• Page End: 267
• Publication Date: 2016-04-02
• Subjects: Cellular phone, college students, random-digit dial, sampling, survey methodology; College students -- Health and hygiene -- United States -- Periodicals; College students -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; College students -- Mental health -- Periodicals; Universities and colleges -- Health promotion services -- Periodicals; 362.10883781980973
• DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2015.1088018
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0744-8481

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Objective : To explore the feasibility of a random-digit dial (RDD) cellular phone survey in order to reach a national and representative sample of college students.Methods : Demographic distributions from the 2011 National Young Adult Health Survey (NYAHS) were benchmarked against enrollment numbers from the Integrated Postsecondary Education System (IPEDS). The sample quality was compared with the Harvard School of Public Health College Alcohol Study (1993), National College Health Risk Behavior Survey (1995), and National College Health Assessment (2011).Results : Overall, the NYAHS performed as well, if not better, than previous college health surveys at reaching important demographic subgroups.Conclusions : Cellular phone RDD is one feasible approach for studies of the general population of college students that can potentially generate national estimates of health behavior.