How To Reduce High-Risk College Drinking: Use Proven Strategies, Fill Research Gaps
Methodology and Caveats
The Panel considered several issues related to the quantity and quality of studies used in
evaluating the research literature. They provide an important context for the results reported
here and include:
Number of available studies. The quantity of studies available—and deemed of
sufficient quality for inclusion—differed substantially among topics. For example, many more
studies have been conducted on individual-focused interventions and the minimum drinking age laws
than on most environmental activities, policies, and comprehensive community interventions. When
interpreting the recommendations that follow, it is important to understand that approaches with
fewer proven strategies are not necessarily less effective overall; there simply may be less known
about them.
Research design. Authors of commissioned papers adopted different
criteria for including studies in their literature reviews depending on the
research base available in their topic areas. All looked for high-quality,
controlled trials with randomized, representative samples that were not based
solely on self-report. However, this type of research design was not always
available—and, in some cases, almost never
available. Individual papers describe the research consulted and criteria
for inclusion in detail. Some reviews included unpublished material to capture
recent trends because that information can be slow to appear in the traditional
literature. Where feasible, authors weighed studies based on methodological
strength in developing their conclusions. The confidence level from one methodologically
sound trial could outweigh the findings and conclusions from several weaker
studies.
Lack of college-specific studies. In many cases, only general
population studies or research on college-age individuals was available.
As a result, effectiveness in campus situations was unknown. Where appropriate,
approaches proven effective in a broader population including college students
are included in the recommendations. In the absence of more specific studies,
they may provide useful direction to program planners and suggest areas where
more focused research is needed.
Lack of setting-specific studies. Colleges and universities differ substantially
in parameters such as size, average age, composition of the student body, geographic location, and
whether they are public or private institutions, offer 2- or 4-year programs, and provide
extensive on-campus student housing. Although such differences may be highly pertinent to the
effectiveness of specific alcohol interventions, virtually no existing research addresses the
impact of setting-specific factors on program outcomes.
The following section of the report presents the Panel’s top recommendations for colleges and
universities and researchers in four major areas: environmental intervention approaches;
individual- and group-focused approaches; comprehensive campus and community approaches; and
program implementation. A summary of relevant research findings introduces and provides the
context for each set of recommendations. For more detailed information on these approaches and the
literature reviewed, please refer to the original papers listed in the References section of this report.