Empirically Based, Containing Sections on Methodology (Sampling,

¶ … empirically based, containing sections on methodology (sampling, measurement, design, and findings). In paragraph form students are to utilize (Exercise #1) in Chapter 3 of a Developmental Guide to Research, as a guide on how to critique an article. The article review should be approximately 3 pages and include a discussion of how the Saint Leo University core value of integrity is demonstrated in the research.

Psychology article review

Donovan, Elizabeth, Mollie Wood, Kezia Frayjo, Ryan A. Black, Daniel A. Surette (2012). A

randomized, controlled trial to test the efficacy of an online, parent-based intervention for reducing the risks associated with college-student alcohol use. Addictive Behaviors. 37: 27-35. Retrieved: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306460311002929

The question of how to treat the growing problem of alcohol abuse amongst college students is the subject of the journal article "A randomized, controlled trial to test the efficacy of an online, parent-based intervention for reducing the risks associated with college-student alcohol use" (Donovan et al. 2012: 25). Using an online intervention program linking students and parents before alcohol abuse occurs is attractive because of its relative low cost and the low time commitment for participants. The aim of the study was to see if such an approach could be potentially effective. The program was based on the philosophy that parents can have a substantial impact upon their children's behavior, even though face-to-face interactions may not be possible while the child is at college.

The stated aim of the online intervention was to increase parent-child communication on the subject of alcohol and to reduce alcohol usage amongst students. 558 participants, comprising 279 parent -- teen dyads, were studied. The design was randomized and controlled study design, specifically a Solomon four-group design "on data collected from the baseline assessment and from the first follow-up assessment, conducted 30 days post-baseline" (Donovan et al. 2012: 26). One experimental group received the baseline assessment, while the other experimental did not; one control group received the baseline assessment while the other control group did not. This was to minimize the impact that simply 'being studied' could produce a result -- i.e., that self-consciousness about being studied could act as a facilitator of communication between the dyads and lead to greater self-monitoring of alcohol consumption.

The participants in the study were not 'balanced' demographically. 85% of the parents were female and, 62% were female. It was essential that both the teen and the parent agreed to participate in the study, and if one or the other refused, than the other party was told that they were ineligible. The participants were compensated for their time, "Participants (teens and parents) were paid $25 each for completing the baseline assessment, $25 for completing the post-test, $40 for completing the three-month assessment, and $50 for completing the six-month assessment, for a possible total of $140 per person" (Donovan et al. 2012: 26). The reasons for monetary compensation were not specified, although it was presumably to encourage participation. The online program MyStudentBody-Parent the experimental group viewed was comprised of articles, web videos, photographs, interactive tools, and 'cheat sheets' parents could download to spur discussion on the topic. The control group was merely given an e-newsletter of information.