Oral

The purpose of this session is to describe the challenges in: 1) measuring tobacco use in special populations; 2) dealing with missing follow-up data; and 3) analyzing observational smoking cessation study data. These topics are extremely important to tobacco control researchers who focus on smoking cessation studies. In addition, the topics presented will have relevance for behavioral science researchers in other disciplines, as these issues tend to broadly affect studies that involve behavioral change.

Session Objectives: Following the session, audience members will be able to: 1. Describe the measurement issues in smoking cessation research. 2. Describe the statistical problem with assuming smoking cessation trial participants who fail to complete a follow-up are current smokers. 3. Discuss the benefits of using propensity score matching in the analysis of observational smoking cessation study data.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH)