Description

The Monitoring the Future (MTF) Survey is an annual national survey that examines the attitudes, beliefs, and drug and alcohol use among young people in the United States. It collects data related to drug consumption, the attitudes of young people towards drug use, as well as the approval or acceptance of drug use in society.

Analysis and Use of Data

The analysis of data regarding the acceptance or disapproval of drug use includes:
Scoring: Participants evaluate their attitudes towards drug use, rating their acceptance or disapproval on a scale.
Descriptive Statistics: Calculation of the mean and standard deviation to determine the general attitude towards drug use.
Correlation: Examination of the correlation between acceptance and factors such as age, gender, and socioeconomic conditions.
Comparative Analysis: Comparison of attitudes between different groups (e.g., boys and girls or various age groups).

Objective

The goal of the MTF survey is to understand the attitudes of young people towards drug use, monitor trends over time, and provide data that could be used for developing educational and preventive programs.

Calibration

The calibration of the MTF survey includes:
Management and Development of Tools: Ensuring that the questions are clear and understandable for participants.
Reliability Analysis: Using methods such as Cronbach’s alpha to confirm the internal consistency of the questions.
Validity Testing: Ensuring that the survey reflects the actual attitudes of young people towards drug use.

References

Johnston, L. D., O’Malley, P. M., & Bachman, J. G. (2000). Monitoring the Future: National Survey Results on Drug Use, 1975-1999. Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan.
Bachman, J. G., Johnston, L. D., & O’Malley, P. M. (1998). Explaining the Recent Decline in Drug Use Among American Youths. Journal of Drug Issues, 28(3), 575-598.