FAQ: Monitoring the Future Restricted-Use Geographic Variables
Monitoring the Future: A Continuing Study of American Youth Restricted-Use Data
Q: Can my project focus on one or more states?
A: MTF is not designed for nor is it appropriate to generate state-, county-, or zip code-level prevalence estimates of any outcome for individual states. In addition to small sample size, the schools in these states were not drawn to be state-representative and they are not state-representative. Therefore, the use of MTF data to generate state-, county-, or zip code-level prevalence estimates will not pass disclosure review.
Results will not pass disclosure review from NAHDAP if they include comparisons with any single state or small group of states (this includes replications and/or extensions of analyses that were published before this requirement regarding state-level analyses went into effect in 2018).
In order to gain access to the MTF restricted data, you agree that no data will be published or made public that might allow identification of specific individual respondents, particular schools, or particular geographic entities smaller than the four geographic areas of which the sample is representative (Northeast, Midwest, South, and West).
Q: How can I use the MTF state-, county-, or zip code-level identifiers to answer my research question?
A: MTF is not designed for nor is it appropriate to generate state-, county-, or zip code-level prevalence estimates of any outcome for individual states. In addition to small sample sizes the schools in these states were not drawn to be state-representative and they are not state-representative.
Use of MTF data to generate state-, county-, or zip code-level prevalence estimates will not pass disclosure review.
However, state, county and zip code information is suitable for aggregate analyses that include all or the vast majority of states. Examples that would likely pass disclosure review include:
- An analysis that reported estimates such as "a one unit increase in the concentration of dispensaries in a school's zip code area was associated with an xx% increase in a school's level of marijuana use."
- A correlation or regression showing that higher levels of state taxes on tobacco use are associated with lower prevalence of adolescent tobacco use.
If an application for a specific question like these is submitted, the application reviewers will inform the researcher at the start of the project about its likelihood of passing disclosure review.