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Self-Reported Frequency of Drinking Assessed with a Closed- or Open-Ended Question Format: A Split-Sample Study in Switzerland
Gerhard Gmel, Osango Lokosha
Objective: This study was designed to determine whether reporting of drinking frequency differed according to whether the question asked was open or closed ended. Method: In a split-sample design with 994 participants responding to a questionnaire, the question on usual frequency of drinking for one sample (n = 457) was open ended, and for the other (n = 537) was closed ended (participants were offered seven response alternatives, ranging from three times a day to never ). Results: The closed-ended question elicited higher frequencies of drinking than the open-ended question. No significant interactions could be found between sociodemographic background variables and question format. Conclusion: This study does not support the general recommendation of survey methodologists that questions about frequency of behavior be open ended. (J. Stud. Alcohol 61: 450-454, 2000)
