Abstract:
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School-level nonresponse is a serious threat to the validity of estimates from statewide student surveys that are used for alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use (ATOD) planning and assessment. Yet, there has been limited research to understand the district or school-level decision to participate in a substance use survey and to determine strategies that can increase participation. We drew on the Willimack, Nichols, and Sudman (2002) model of business survey participation to identify features of the school as an organization and survey design features such as the timing or topic that may drive this decision. We conducted a study of nonresponse in the Indiana Youth Survey that involved four components: (1) assessment of the characteristics of nonrespondents using matched data from the Department of Education, (2) surveys of staff conducting other statewide substance use surveys, (3) in-depth interviews with principals and superintendents and (4) a web survey of 296 principals and 102 superintendents. Findings revealed a varied set of factors involved in participation suggesting the need for a tailored survey design and multiple strategies to reduce barriers to participation.
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