The impact of email recruitment on our understanding of college smoking

Addict Behav. 2009 Jun-Jul;34(6-7):531-5. doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2009.03.017. Epub 2009 Mar 24.

Abstract

Email recruitment is growing in popularity; however, this convenience sampling method may yield very different results from prior convenience sampling methods. Participants in the current study were 825 undergraduate students, 446 recruited through a campus wide email and 379 recruited through Introductory Psychology courses, who completed an on-line survey on smoking and health. Outcomes varied significantly by group. Introductory Psychology students reported higher smoker self-concept, more pros of smoking, and were more likely to view smoking as a method of negative affect reduction. The current study suggests that recruitment method can bias our understanding of smoking behaviors among college students.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Electronic Mail
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Patient Selection*
  • Psychometrics
  • Research Design
  • Selection Bias
  • Self Concept
  • Smoking / adverse effects
  • Smoking / psychology*
  • Students / psychology
  • Universities
  • Young Adult