| |
RESEARCH
Research serves as a primary focus of GMU’s CAPH personnel. While
many projects focus on evaluation approaches, strategic planning and
related efforts, the primary foundation is upon advancing knowledge through
research-based approaches. The orientation underlying GMU’s CAPH
efforts represent grounded, thoughtful and sound methodological approaches.
Through blending a variety of approaches, and through funded and unfunded
research, GMU’s CAPH seeks to advance the utilization of helpful
findings and insights gleaned through numerous approaches.
College Alcohol Survey |
|
The College Alcohol Survey is the national longitudinal survey on alcohol,
tobacco, other drug and violence issues at institutions of higher education.
This co-authored research is longitudinal in nature, initiated in 1979.
Gathered from Chief Student Affairs Officers at a sampling of 330 colleges
and universities across the nation, this identifies programs, strategies,
policies, and related initiatives to address alcohol issues on campus.
This unfunded research provides a helpful review of current, as well
as historical, efforts to address these needs.
|
|
Secondary Schools Substance Abuse Survey |
|
High schools are an important part of a community’s efforts to address drug, alcohol and tobacco use among youth. The nature and extent of school-based efforts is documented with results from the Virginia Secondary School Substance Abuse Survey. These results demonstrate the limited effort provided to address these health issues in an organized, orchestrated manner. It is important to note that policies, programs and services are also important in the middle and elementary school settings, as well as in the larger community setting.
|
Promising Practices: Campus Alcohol
Strategies
|
|
|
Research conducted in conjunction with this project included telephone
interviews with those who received materials or who may be able to provide
leadership with the materials. The research included telephone interviews
with Chief Student Affairs Officers, Chiefs of Police, Alcohol Abuse
Prevention Coordinators, and others on campus. The results obtained provided
insights and direction for project implementation.
|
Traffic Safety
|
|
|
CAPH faculty and staff
have conducted research students on several traffic safety issues.
Typically, these studies include a range of methodological approaches,
including a national survey, focus groups, telephone interviews,
key informant interviews, expert panels, stakeholder discussions,
and literature reviews. CAPH personnel have prepared in-depth,
thoughtful studies on older drivers, young drivers, and distracted
driving. In addition, CAPH has prepared studies on curfew laws
and bicycle safety. The study on older drivers is entitled: Study
of Driver’s License Options for Applicants Age 70 or Older
in Virginia.” The young driver study is entitled: “Young
Drivers: A Study of Policies and Practices.” For distracted
driving, the title “Distracted Driving: Review of Current
Needs, Efforts, and Recommended Strategies.” In addition
to these three major studies, CAPH has authored the “Strategic
Planning for Mature Driver: Foundations and Strategies.”
|
Articles
- VIRGINIA PREVENTION STANDARDS
(Standards | Summary | Letter
of Support)
Brief
summary of initiatives undertaken by Virginia has demonstrates
the long term scope and breadth of efforts to address alcohol
abuse and related concerns with college students. The heartfelt
commitment to address alcohol abuse in meaningful ways underpins
many of these efforts. It is that same heartfelt commitment
that serves as the foundation and motivating factor for the
development of this document.
- VIRGINIA ISSUES AND ANSWERS
Workshops
Coming soon . . .
Research activities have been conducted for and/or with grants from
the following groups and organizations:
THE CENTURY COUNCIL
|
|
- PROMISING PRACTICES: CAMPUS ALCOHOL STRATEGIES. This
project, through its three national solicitations, identifies
a wide range of resources and strategies used by campuses to
reduce alcohol abuse. The Sourcebook 2001 compiles these strategies
into a framework that parallels that of a comprehensive approach
for campus efforts. The research is organized around campus-based
efforts designed to promote healthier and safer campus environments.
Campus efforts were assessed using multiple criteria, including
evidence of success, desired outcomes, cost effectiveness, context,
participation, and replicability. This project provides campus
and community leaders, as well as state and national leaders,
with a compilation of strategies of helpful strategies for consideration
for their respective audiences. See also http://centurycouncil.org/
|
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
- HEALTHY EXPECTATIONS. The core research
questions within
this innovative initiative targeting first year students is whether
a proactive, indirect approach can make a difference with reducing
alcohol abuse Through promoting healthy living, life planning, and
clearly defined goals, the project monitors student attitudes, perceptions,
and behaviors surrounding alcohol issues. Further, through regular
probes of students, attention is provided to addressing alcohol abuse
from a preventative point of view. See also http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osdfs/index.html
VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES
|
|
- DISTRACTED DRIVING STUDY. “Distracted
Driving: Review of Current Needs, Efforts and Recommended Strategies” incorporated
a broad-based methodology and detailed recommendations. This
study’s methodology included a literature review, a national
survey, interviews of state leaders across the nation, Virginia
leader interviews, key informant interviews, focus groups, a
behavioral monitoring study, intercept interviews, and a stakeholder
discussion. Findings and recommendations on identified issues
were provided in priority order. Recommendations focused on research,
education awareness and training, legislation and policy, enforcement,
confounding social factors, culture lag, lack of clarity in defining
the issue, leadership and human factors, and behaviors. See also http://www.dmvnow.com/
- MATURE DRIVER STUDY. The “Study of
Driver’s License Options for Applicants Age 70 or Older
in Virginia” incorporated a literature review, legal research,
a survey of state licensing agencies across the nation, key informant
interviews, Virginia crash data, and a problem solving workshop.
Findings and recommendations were included in the report with
recommendations addressing legislation, current methods of assessment
and response, perceptions, and gaps and challenges. See also http://www.dmvnow.com/webdoc/general/safety
/maturedriver/index.asp
- MATURE DRIVER STRATEGIC PLANNING DOCUMENT. The
report “Strategic Planning for Mature Drivers: Foundations
and Strategies” is based on a national review of literature
and other states’ strategic plans on mature drivers, conducted
by CAPH personnel. The strategic plan foundational document for
Virginia includes documentation on findings and issues that emerge
from published materials. The report is written within the framework
of informational foundation, implications, potential strategies,
and strategic plan considerations. It is organized around the
following areas: Background Information, Physical Considerations
(eyesight, reaction speed, turning and driving, fragility, and
other), Self Determination, Essential Services, Medication, Knowledge,
Self Sufficiency and Independence, Quality of Life, Intermediaries
(medical/health professionals, families), and Staying Current
and Cost Effective. See also http://www.dmvnow.com/webdoc/general/safety
/maturedriver/index.asp
- PEDESTRIAN SAFETY STUDY. Conducted in conjunction
with other colleagues, this project involves research designed
to understand pedestrian and driver behavior at intersections.
Specific behaviors include location, looking and crossing behaviors,
as well as differences between regular and countdown crosswalk
signals. Research incorporates the impact of educational fliers
and posters, as well as the presence of law enforcement personnel,
on behavior. See also http://www.dmvnow.com/webdoc/general/safety/
pedestrian/index.asp
- YOUNG DRIVER STUDY. “Young Drivers:
A Study of Policies and Practices” used multiple methodological
strategies, including a national survey, national interviews,
key informant interviews, interviews with Virginia community
leaders, focus groups, and a literature review. This study synthesized
major themes and findings and made a series of recommendations.
The recommendations are offered in priority order by theme: Parents;
The Youth Role; An Understanding of Youth; Changes in Youth and
Society; Driver Education; Organization and Oversight; Enforcement,
Consistency, and Judicial Role, Perspective of the Graduated
Driver’s License; Urban and Rural Distinctions; Need for
Evaluation and Dissemination; and Emerging Approaches. See also http://www.dmvnow.com/webdoc/general/safety/
youngdriver/index.asp
|
|
Affiliated Sites
COMPASS: A Roadmap to Healthy Living
Promising Practices
Traffic Safety
Legacy of Life
Teen Alcohol Cultures
CEHD and RHT
College of Education and
Human Development
(CEHD)
School of Recreation, Health
and Tourism (RHT)
New to Our Site!
Legacy of Life:
Creating Healthy Futures
Presented for the Prince William County Coalition for Human Services on
June 19, 2008
The IMPACT Evaluation Resource for NCAA CHOICES Grantees
LEGACY OF LIFE:
Creating Healthy Futures
CD-ROM and
Powerpoint Show!
The 2006 College Alcohol Survey Results
|
