Ennet Et Al Evaluate

Question 0

Generalisability?

Answer 0

Fairly large sample from adolescents from 5 different schools so can be at least generalises onto that age group in the USA. However a lot of data was discarded which could have been v important and leaves sample less generalisable.

Question 1

High in Validity?

Answer 1

High in validity as asking participants about what is relevant to them (ie friendships) so reduces social desirability as no motivation to lie. Also high in validity and self reports backed up with CO tests.

Question 2

Low in validity?

Answer 2

Self report data such as questionnaires can reduce the validity as adolescents may not be truthful about their behaviour because of a ocial desirability?

Question 3

Issue with the time of the study?

Answer 3

Data actually collected in 1980s and smoking behaviour may have changed significantly since then. Researchers argue that smoking behaviour has not changed but this can be questioned because of the exposure to new media and health campaigns

Question 4

Ethics?

Answer 4

Investigating friendship groups may cause distress to those who have issues with their friendships or don’t want their teachers/parents to find out

Question 5

Application to real life?

Answer 5

Useful applications of the findings include the suggestion that non smoking role models should be used to encourage others not to smoke and peer mentors might be used to prevent smoking in school.