Assignment 1: Discussion Question By March 7, 2015

Assignment 1: Discussion Question By Saturday, March 7, 2015 respond to the discussion question

Imagine you were to create a survey that examined the frequency of drug use in middle school children. Referring back to the considerations for creating surveys presented in this module and in your textbook, what specific factors would you need to consider when developing this survey? Make sure you address considerations related to age (early adolescence) and nature of the topic (drug use).

Paper For Above instruction

Developing an effective survey to assess drug use among middle school children necessitates a thorough understanding of both the developmental stage of early adolescence and the sensitive nature of the topic. The unique cognitive, emotional, and social characteristics of middle school students significantly influence how questions should be framed, structured, and presented to obtain reliable and valid data while ensuring ethical standards are upheld.

First and foremost, considerations related to age are paramount. Middle school children, typically aged between 11 and 14, are in a transitional developmental phase marked by rapid cognitive and emotional changes. These students are developing greater abstract thinking skills but may still be prone to concrete thinking and peer influence. Therefore, survey questions need to be age-appropriate: language should be clear, simple, and free of jargon, and questions should be both engaging and understandable without being patronizing. For instance, avoiding complex or abstract terminology helps ensure that the respondents accurately interpret each question, reducing misinterpretation and response bias.

Additionally, ethical considerations surrounding confidentiality and privacy are particularly critical when dealing with sensitive topics such as drug use among minors. Assurances of anonymity or confidentiality must be clearly communicated to encourage honest responses. For example, framing questions in a way that emphasizes the confidentiality of responses can reduce social desirability bias and fear of repercussions, which are often heightened in adolescent populations due to peer and familial pressures.

The nature of the topic—drug use—requires careful question design to balance the need for truthful data collection with ethical concerns about stigma and harm. Questions should be phrased in a non-judgmental and neutral manner, avoiding language that might shame or alienate respondents. For instance, instead of directly asking “Have you ever used drugs?” it may be more effective to ask about the frequency of specific behaviors or involve hypothetical scenarios that diminish stigma and encourage honest disclosure.

Furthermore, the survey should incorporate age-appropriate skip patterns or branching questions to naturally guide respondents through the survey according to their experiences. This reduces respondent fatigue and prevents confusion, especially among younger students who may find lengthy or complex surveys overwhelming. It is also essential to pilot test the questionnaire with a small sample of the target population to identify any misunderstandings or sensitive items that need rephrasing.

In considering the nature of drug use, questions should be precisely targeted to capture various forms, frequencies, and contexts of use—whether experimental, occasional, or frequent. Including a mix of closed-ended questions for quantitative data and some open-ended questions to gather qualitative insights can provide a comprehensive understanding of the behaviors and attitudes surrounding drug use in this age group.

Finally, cultural sensitivity is vital because drug attitudes and prevalence can vary across different communities and backgrounds. The survey should be adaptable and respectful of diverse values and beliefs concerning drug use, which can influence how questions are interpreted and answered.

In summary, designing a survey on drug use among middle school students requires careful consideration of developmental appropriateness, ethical safeguards, clear and neutral language, and comprehensive question structuring. By accounting for these factors, researchers can gather meaningful data that can inform prevention and intervention programs aimed at reducing early adolescent substance use.

References

• Brener, N. D., Billy, J. O., & Grady, W. R. (2003). Assessment of factors affecting the validity of self-reported health-risk behavior among adolescents: Review and recommendations. Journal of School Health, 73(7), 229-236.
• Fowler, F. J. (2014). Survey research methods (5th ed.). Sage Publications.
• Tourangeau, R., & Yan, T. (2007). Sensitive questions in surveys. Psychological Bulletin, 133(5), 859–883.
• Johnson, R., & Clasen, J. (2018). Ethical considerations in adolescent health surveys. Journal of Adolescent Health, 62(2), 124-130.
• Brener, N. D., et al. (2004). Methodology and procedures for CDC's youth risk behavior survey. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 53(SS-2), 1-13.
• Reiss, D., & Oliver, R. (2011). Ethical issues in conducting research with adolescents. Journal of Applied Research on Children, 2(1), 1-15.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2011). Youth risk behavior survey (YRBS): Data overview and survey methodology.
• Bradshaw, C. P., & McKnight, M. (2019). Designing effective surveys for adolescent health research. Journal of School Nursing, 35(4), 306-316.
• Nairn, A., & Cowie, H. (2009). Managing sensitive topics in youth surveys: Ethical and practical issues. Youth & Society, 41(1), 35-45.
• Fowler, F. J. (2013). Survey research methods (5th ed.). Sage Publications.