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Survey Administration MAOD generally recommends to school districts that the most cost effective approach is to participate in the MAOD survey every two years. The first year establishes baseline data, and subsequent administrations provide a simple tracking mechanism following up many of the same students (since the survey covers 8th, 10th, and 12th graders). This method of systematic survey research provides school districts with an ongoing evaluation of their education and prevention programs. The approach used by the MAOD project is to schedule with a school district contact person the times and days for the survey to be administered. Once a tentative date is scheduled, an information packet is sent to the school. This outlines the responsibilities of the school contact person, the teachers, the students and the parents of students. The information packet, which is mailed to the district contact person, includes an informational letter, a description of the informed consent process (i.e., directions regarding the distribution of informed consent forms and the exact wording that must appear on the forms themselves), a message to all school personnel describing the survey process, and a copy of the MAOD Survey. At about this time, tentative decisions are made regarding classroom-based versus group administration of the survey. A contract is also sent, which delineates the obligations of the district and the University. Once the survey date is recorded on the master calendar, research associates are assigned to the school district for the administration of the MAOD survey. On the appointed days, one or more MAOD research associates travel to the schools involved and carry out the actual administration. Immediately following the data collection, the research associates return the completed surveys directly to the MAOD offices at Western Michigan University where they are scanned, processed, and a report is produced. A summary report of results is provided to each local school district that contracts with MAOD. Some use the information as an assessment tool for monitoring trends and patterns of drug and alcohol use and exposure to violence within their districts. Others use it as a technique for targeting prevention and rehabilitation programs that are being designed. Still others use it to identify student perceptions of peer pressure regarding use and/or access to such controlled substances, and to provide an evaluation mechanism for education and prevention programs currently implemented in their schools. |
