Studying college alcohol use: widening the lens, sharpening the focus.

OBJECTIVE The study was designed to assess current trends in studying, and emerging approaches to furthering understanding of, college drinking. METHOD A literature review was conducted of findings and methods highlighting conceptual and methodological issues that need to be addressed. RESULTS Most studies address clinical, developmental and psychological variables and are conducted at single points in time on single campuses. Factors affecting college alcohol use and methods of studying them are discussed. CONCLUSIONS Most current studies of college drinking do not address the influence of the college and its alcohol environment. Our understanding of college drinking can be improved by expanding the scope of issues studied and choosing appropriate research designs.