FAQ

What are the main data sources used in the study, and what information do they provide?

The study primarily utilizes data from two sources: the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Education Campus Safety and Security (CSS) database and the National College Health Assessment (NCHA) survey. The CSS database provides institutions' reported crime statistics, including on-campus rape and fondling offenses, and alcohol-related arrests and disciplinary actions. The NCHA survey provides student self-report data on the prevalence of sexual assault experiences and binge drinking.

What was the primary objective of the research?

The primary objective was to assess the relationship between data on sexual assault from the CSS and NCHA. Specifically, the researchers wanted to see if colleges reporting higher rates of rape and fondling offenses on the CSS also showed a higher prevalence of sexual assault based on female students' reports on the NCHA.

What were the key findings regarding the relationship between sexual assault data from CSS and NCHA?

The study found consistent positive associations at the institution level. Institutions with a higher prevalence of female students reporting sexual assault experiences (sexual touching, attempted penetration, and penetration) on the NCHA also reported a higher number of on-campus rape offenses per capita on the CSS.

How did the study investigate the connection between problematic alcohol behaviors and sexual assault?

The study examined the relationship between student-reported binge drinking prevalence on the NCHA and alcohol-related incidents (arrests and disciplinary actions) and sexual assault offenses (rape and fondling) reported on the CSS. They hypothesized that a higher prevalence of binge drinking would be associated with more alcohol-related incidents and sexual assault offenses on campus.

What were the findings regarding the association between binge drinking and alcohol-related incidents reported by institutions?

The study found significant positive associations. Institutions with a higher prevalence of student-reported binge drinking on the NCHA also reported higher numbers per capita of on-campus arrests and disciplinary actions for liquor law violations on the CSS.

What was the relationship found between binge drinking prevalence and sexual assault offenses on campus?

The findings partially supported the hypothesis. A higher prevalence of student-reported binge drinking on the NCHA was associated with a larger number of on-campus rape offenses per capita on the CSS. However, there were no significant associations between NCHA binge drinking prevalence and CSS fondling offenses.

How do the researchers interpret the convergence between NCHA and CSS data?

The researchers suggest that the correspondence between NCHA and CSS variables indicates the presence of cultural or systemic contexts on campuses where both problematic alcohol behaviors and sexual assault are more prevalent. They view the findings as evidence of convergent validity between the two data sources, suggesting both can be useful indicators of these issues, rather than implying a direct one-to-one reporting of specific incidents.

What are some limitations of the study?

Limitations include potential selection bias of institutions participating in the NCHA, low student response rates on the NCHA with underrepresentation of certain groups, and lack of access to individual-level data from both sources. Additionally, NCHA self-report items on sexual assault are not limited to on-campus incidents, while CSS data on offenses, arrests, and disciplinary actions are restricted to on-campus events, and it cannot be assumed that those involved in on-campus crime were students.