Alcohol Consumption Among Butler University Students: Athletes vs. Non-Athletes

Indianapolis, IN

Prior research indicates that college students who participate in athletics are more likely to engage in binge drinking compared to students who are not involved in athletics. The main purpose of this research is to investigate the role of social factors in explaining differences between athletes and non-athletes drinking habits. Using a non-random convenience sample I will look at a number of variables including: amount of alcohol consumed by the student regularly, athletic status (whether or not a student participates in a school sponsored varsity sport), and social factors of the student (Religion, Ethnicity, Family, Friends, Amount of free time). I will collect my data through a survey distributed to students at Butler University. I will have a desired sample size of 100 students consisting of 50 athletes and 50 non-athletes. I hypothesize that athletes will have higher rates of drinking compared to non-athletes. I will analyze my data using the analysis of variance statistical test. I will use this test to compare the social factors and the athletic status of the students and determine whether these variables have a significant effect on drinking habits of the students.