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A call to improve sampling methodology and reporting in young novice driver research
  1. B Scott-Parker1,2,3,
  2. T Senserrick4
  1. 1Adolescent Risk Research Unit (ARRU), Sunshine Coast Mind and Neuroscience—Thompson Institute, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, Queensland, Australia
  2. 2Faculty of Arts, Business and Law, School of Social Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, Queensland, Australia
  3. 3Sustainability Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, Queensland, Australia
  4. 4Transport and Road Safety (TARS) Research, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
  1. Correspondence to Dr Bridie Scott-Parker, Adolescent Risk Research Unit (ARRU), School of Social Sciences University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs, Maroochydore DC, QLD 4556, Australia; bscottpa{at}usc.edu.au

Abstract

Young drivers continue to be over-represented in road crash fatalities despite a multitude of research, communication and intervention. Evidence-based improvement depends to a great extent upon research methodology quality and its reporting, with known limitations in the peer-review process. The aim of the current research was to review the scope of research methodologies applied in ‘young driver’ and ‘teen driver’ research and their reporting in four peer-review journals in the field between January 2006 and December 2013. In total, 806 articles were identified and assessed. Reporting omissions included participant gender (11% of papers), response rates (49%), retention rates (39%) and information regarding incentives (44%). Greater breadth and specific improvements in study designs and reporting are thereby identified as a means to further advance the field.

  • Methodology

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Footnotes

  • Funding BS-P is supported by a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Research Fellowship. TS was supported during this work by a Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Fellowship, the University of New South Wales.

  • Competing interests None declared.

  • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.

  • Data sharing statement The Excel data file in which each paper is summarised according to the coding categories is available upon request from BS-P.