Article Critique

Summary of the Article

As much as the use of alcohol along with the problems related to it are highly prevalent in adolescents, it is acknowledged that college students drink more relative to what their peers who are not college materials (Quinn, & Fromme, 2011). In this case, the social and personal influences that underline this issues have not yet been explored. The present study tried to investigate whether sensation seeking, self-regulation, and peer influence play a crucial role to the differences that exist between the statuses of the college students.

Critique Analysis

The choice of the methodology of this research was instrumental in the realization of the research objectives. In essence, the current study examined drinking rates among students relative to their peers. It explored the competing roles that social influences and personality play in the drinking status of the college students. It is clear from the methodology that this issue is not a simple matter (Quinn, & Fromme, 2011). In fact, based on a few paragraphs of the article in the methodology section, the author states that based on conflicting findings of research regarding the consequences of drinking, it is essential for the study to extend its comparisons as far as alcohol-related problems are concerned. Therefore, it is also crucial to note that, the findings of this research filled existing gaps.

The research methodology was also appropriate since it involved contact and follow-up on the research respondents by taking their birthday cards, emails and phone numbers (Quinn, & Fromme, 2011). In so doing, the research ensured that the respondents are always up to date with any updates and latest developments as far as the research is concerned. In other words, maintaining contact with the college students was important especially following the randomization of the research sample.

According to this article, the findings postulated that college students drunk slightly more alcohol. The difference that was established between the respondents can be attributed to personality suppression. The findings of Quinn, & Fromme (2011) can as well be said to be in line with the results of other studies such as White, & Hingson (2013) which indicates that there is a definite association between college students and heavy drinking. As much as this article did well regarding linking the research findings to the data that was collected, it was also crucial for this research to include the fact that non-college students also experience the same drinking challenges that college students are experiencing.

Overall Opinion on the Research Article

From an overall perspective, this research article is not straight forward from the onset, and it is only after reading the introduction part that the audience realizes the primary objective and problem statement of the article. As such, for this article to have more readers on board, it requires having a more concise and precise abstract; not just a snapshot of the critical research areas. However, from a general perspective, the research article is excellent and well-stipulated regarding research methodology, findings, and discussions coupled with an essential message for college and non-college students. When looked at from a healthcare perspective, it is convincing and relevant in theory, but the only challenge is that, it does not pinpoint the problem that it is addressing in the executive summary section.

References

Quinn, P. D., & Fromme, K. (2011). Alcohol use and related problems among college students and their noncollege peers: The competing roles of personality and peer influence. Journal of studies on alcohol and drugs, 72(4), 622-632.