Learning Objectives: The presentation will introduce attendees to methods for assessing differences in national survey estimates. At the end of the presentation, attendees will be able to describe a process for critically assessing survey data.
Abstract: Objective:
The National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) and National Youth Risk Behavior Survey (NYRBS) are primary sources of national youth tobacco use data. The tobacco control community often struggles to interpret differing findings from these national surveys. The purpose of this study is to examine and assess these differences.
METHODS:
Differences in estimates from the NYTS and NYRBS have been observed, despite their comparable sampling methodologies, identical wording of tobacco questions, modes of data collection (school-based and self-report), and data collection implemented by the same survey contractor (Macro International, Inc.).
RESULTS:
Estimated prevalence rates for several commonly reported smoking measures from the spring 1999 NYRBS were found to be 3.7 to 6.9 percentage points higher than for comparable estimates from the fall 1999 NYTS. A similar pattern of differences is observed over most demographic subgroups. Several hypotheses to better understand observed differences between the surveys are explored, including the comparative effect of differences in school response rates and variation in the measurement context for the two studies (e.g., fall versus spring survey administration).
Discussion: An explanation of the findings from a comparative analysis of the NYTS and NYRBS will provide tobacco control researchers, advocates, practitioners, and policy makers with a basis for better interpretation of disparate survey findings.
Back to Assessing Youth Acquisition, Brand Preference, Ability To Quit, and National Survey Data
Back to Evaluation and Surveillance
Back to The 2002 National Conference on Tobacco or Health