RESEARCH DOESN'T VALIDATE TESTING

In her Aug. 12 front-page story on drug testing in Faulkner County schools,
Tammy Keith reports on Dr. David Bangs' research findings concerning drug
testing in Arkansas (his dissertation is available in the University of
Arkansas at Little Rock's Ottenheimer Library). While I applaud Dr. Bangs
for his efforts in this area, it is important to know that by his own
admission his research sample was too small to be meaningful. On Page 50 of
his work, he writes, "After researching numerous (statistical) techniques,
it was concluded the data set was too small to meet statistical
assumptions." This is just one of the methodological problems he explains.

In discussing the implications of his research (on Page 67 of his work), it
is very telling that he writes, "It was apparent from this study there was
little data involving jurisdiction for testing other than among those who
administer the test."

This information attests to Dr. Bangs' honesty that he could find no
scientific jurisdiction for student drug testing, and I feel this
information should have been included in Ms. Keith's story. It is important
for the public to know the complete findings of such important research.