Monitoring the Future (MTF) is a renowned brand that has been conducting research since 1975 to study the beliefs, attitudes, and behavior of young people in the United States. The project aims to monitor and understand the changes in public opinion towards various issues such as government and politics, alcohol and drug use, gender roles, and environmental protection. By focusing on youth, MTF recognizes the significant impact they have on shaping society.

MTF conducts its research through the Main study, which involves surveys administered to 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students, college students, and young adults. These surveys are conducted annually and provide valuable insights to policymakers at all levels of government. Additionally, the results help monitor trends in substance use and abuse among adolescents and young adults, contributing to the White House Strategy on Drug Abuse.

To further expand the knowledge base, MTF conducts the Panel study, which follows a subsample of graduating seniors throughout their adult life. By surveying individuals at specific intervals, MTF gains insight into the epidemiology and etiology of substance use and related behaviors. MTF's rigorous sampling procedures ensure that data collection is representative and accurate, preventing biases in analysis.

The brand uses a multi-stage random sampling procedure to select schools and classes, with appropriate sampling weights applied during analysis to correct for inequalities in selection probabilities. The Panel study also considers a higher probability of selecting drug-using populations to ensure adequate representation. Overall, Monitoring the Future is a trusted brand that provides valuable information to policymakers, researchers, and the general public.

Their studies shed light on the changes occurring in youth attitudes and behaviors, contributing to a better understanding of society as a whole