How Can Statistical Approaches Enhance Transdisciplinary Study of Drug Misuse Prevention?

Abstract

Application of statistical techniques in transdisciplinary research includes statistical model selection and model specification. This paper presents statistical models used in drug misuse prevention research. The historical roots of these models are discussed to illustrate the numerous disciplines from which different techniques originated. Single and multilevel approaches are described to illustrate methods of synthesizing perspectives from different scientific arenas. Using single-level approaches in transdisciplinary research, these models can easily incorporate broader theoretical considerations and more integrated hypotheses by representing each discipline with a set of variables. Simultaneous testing of every set of variables obtained from different disciplines may provide more comparable results to identify critical factors associated with substance-use behavior. Using multilevel approaches, more powerful syntheses across disciplines can be achieved by representing each discipline at a different level.

• Transdisciplinary
• Technology transfer
• Risk factors
• Protective factors
• Refusal skills
• Multivariate statistics
• Path model
• Structural equation model
• Multilevel model

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“I can only say that there is a vast field of topics that fall under the laws of correlation, which lies quite open to the research of any competent person who cares to investigate it.” (Galton, )

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“I can only say that there is a vast field of topics that fall under the laws of correlation, which lies quite open to the research of any competent person who cares to investigate it.” (Galton, )

Notes

¹The journal's style utilizes the category substance abuse as a diagnostic category. Substances are used or misused; living organisms are and can be abused. Editor's note.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Chih-Ping Chou

Chih-Ping Chou, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Research in the Department of Preventive Medicine at the University of Southern California. His interests are in research methodologies, statistical analyses, and evaluation of substance use prevention and treatment studies. He has published articles on development and application of statistical techniques development and application in prevention research and effects of substance use prevention intervention for adolescents. He received his doctorate in research and evaluation from Graduate School of Education at UCLA.

Donna Spruijt-Metz

Donna Spruijt-Metz, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Research in the Keck School of Medicine, Department Preventive Medicine, at the Institute of Health Promotion. Her main area of interest is theory development on determinants of adolescent health and risk behaviors. She has published articles on determinants of obesity, diet, physical activity, smoking and drug abuse, and a book on adolescent health. She received her doctorate in adolescent health from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in 1996.

Stan P. Azen

Stanley Azen, Ph.D., is Professor and Co-Director of Biostatistics in the Department of Preventive Medicine at the University of Southern California. His interests are in epidemiology, clinical trials and prevention studies. He has published over 220 papers and is a Fellow of the American Statistical Association. He received his doctorate in biostatistics from UCLA.