DO RESPONSE OPTIONS INFLUENCE SELF-REPORTS OF ALCOHOL-USE

The influence of response options on self-reported frequency of alcoho l use was evaluated in an experimental study of 350 students at a west coast university. Respondents were asked about their frequency of alc ohol use in the last 7 days, 30 days, 90 days, and 180 days with three methodological factors randomized: 1) how quantitative the response o ptions were; 2) order of presentation of close-ended response options; and 3) relative placement of alcohol use items in the questionnaire. Results indicate that the quantitativeness of response options and the location of items within the questionnaire have minimal effects on th e average frequency of alcohol use and number of inconsistent response s over a wide range of time frames. However, presenting higher frequen cy response options prior to lower frequency response options increase d self-reported frequency of having consumed 2 or more drinks in the l ast 30 days and frequency of alcohol use over the last 180 days.