QUALITY IN COLLEGE-STUDENT DRINKING RESEARCH - CONCEPTUAL AND METHODOLOGICAL ISSUES

Recent years have seen an increase in efforts to reduce student drinking on college campuses. Such efforts are associated with claims that college student drinking has grown into a problem of epidemic proportions. Yet some research suggests that there has been little or no increase in consumption, or even that consumption has recently decreased. A review of the latest research on the topic was undertaken in order to ascertain the extent to which the contradictions were based in research methodology. Sixty-five reports, dated 1986 through 1990, focusing on college student consumption patterns were reviewed. The review shows that shortcomings in research design, analysis, and presentation of results make it difficult to draw conclusions regarding the present nature and problem of college student drinking.