ICAR Research Data Repository for Knowledge Management

This dataset represents a group of paper records (a "series") within the Harvard School of Public Health Harvard Prevention Research Center records, 1992-2003 (inclusive), 1994-2003 (bulk), which can be accessed on-site at the Center for the History of Medicine at the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine in Boston, Massachusetts. The series consists of raw data surveys completed by middle and high school students in Boston, Massachusetts, during the Harvard Prevention Research Center's Play Across Boston study. Surveys concern youth physical activity and participation in community physical fitness programs. The bulk of the surveys were administered during the 2002-2003 school year. An earlier version of the survey (omitting a question regarding neighborhood of residence) was administered at two schools during the 2001-2002 school year. The series also includes student lists and parental consent forms for student participation.

Survey topics include: students' demographics; height and weight; health or physical conditions that hinder physical activity; neighborhood of residence; weekly time spent engaged in physical activity; participation in sports teams, lessons, camps, or other organized physical activities; issues that hinder participation in physical activity; types of locations and facilities visited to engage in physical activity; availability of physical activities near home; proximity of home to physical fitness locations and facilities; proximity of home to retail locations selling healthy or unhealthy foods; methods of transportation to and from school; participation in physical education classes; students' self-assessed sports ability; television viewing habits; parents' education and exercise habits; whether a doctor or nurse discussed health, nutrition, and exercise habits at a recent physical examination; and the likelihood of changing health habits as a result of nutrition and exercise advice from a doctor or nurse.

Attached to the “Student Surveys, 2002-2003” dataset are electronic dataset files created from the original paper surveys using Survey Monkey. Because the complete dataset includes identifying information for subjects, only summary data is provided. To illustrate potential analysis that can be conducted using the complete dataset, a filtered summary dataset is also provided comparing responses for subjects from three geographically diverse neighborhoods with high response rates (Roxbury, Allston-Brighton, and Charlestown). The summary dataset and the comparison summary dataset are both provided in three filetype choices: Microsoft Excel (XLS), portable document format (PDF), and Microsoft Powerpoint (PPT). In addition to these files, a methodology is also included explaining the process used by the archivist to convert the paper surveys into a digital dataset. Additional data and associated records are accessible onsite at the Center for the History of Medicine per the conditions governing access described below.

Conditions Governing Access to the Complete Electronic Dataset: Researchers may apply for access to the complete dataset. Please contact the Center for History of Medicine's Public Services for more information.

Conditions Governing Access to Original Collection Materials: The series represented by this dataset includes health information that is restricted for 80 years from the date of record creation. Researchers should contact Public Services for more information.

The Harvard School of Public Health Harvard Prevention Research Center records were processed with grant funding from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, as awarded and administered by the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) in 2016. View the Harvard Prevention Research Center Records finding aid for a full collection inventory of both paper and digital records, and for more information about accessing and using the collection.