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intro.psych (Psyco 105) Discussion: Group 1 Discussion Group: Reading the Research - Social Development: Is the research design appropriate for the research question?
By Ivanka on Sunday, October 11, 1998 - 01:46 pm:
Considering that the research subjects were all adolescents and given what we know about human development at this age, it might have been more appropriate if the questionnaire was not given verbally. This is because people at the subject's age are very self-conscious and have a tendency to want to conform more than an adult might. Therefore, with a verbal questionnaire, they might simply answer how they think the adult who was questioning them might want them to answer. Adults are seen as an authority for young people and a student might not feel as comfortable telling an adult that he/she is attracted to very young or very old people. A student might feel more comfortable writing this information down on a piece of paper. Since this questionnaire was done verbally, I think it was good to have a person of the same sex asking the questions. A student might feel intimidated by someone of the opposite sex. I think the questions were appropriate and it is important that they stated that money and parental permission were not an issue. that way, they are getting a more precise response without personal circumstance complicating the issue.
By Jep on Sunday, October 11, 1998 - 05:12 pm:
I agree, I also answered "Are the measures appropriate for addressing the research question, and said close to the same thing. Kids at this age are very easy to sway, with what they think and say to avoid trouble or being looked down apon. I feel this group is appropriate considering that the questions were about kids their age I don't know who else you could ask. Although they only chose a "few" students, and it hard to get an accurate conclusion, from such a small sample group that may not be correctly proportionate to the "whole world".
By Ivanka on Monday, October 12, 1998 - 02:23 pm:
After coming back to this today, I realize that I must have clicked on the wrong balloon. The discussion above by me actually belongs to "are the measures appropriate?" Sorry!!
By Ivanka on Monday, October 12, 1998 - 02:34 pm:
"Is the research design appropriate?"
It is appropriate to study and note the correlation between age of subject and age of dating preference in order to answer the research question. An experiement would be difficult to stage for this topic. it would probably have to include some information to be witheld from the subjects which would be considered deception and it would not be ethically permissible considering that they are dealing with adolescents and their emotions. A descriptive study would require that researchers follow these young people around secretely which again would go against ethical standards.
By Mike on Monday, October 12, 1998 - 02:37 pm:
I think that the research design is appropriate because the researchers are getting direct feedback from the subjects, and not just taking the data from personals or other related sources. But, I also think they should have studied more schools than just one. Personally, one school just doesn't seem enough to convince me that all teens think in the same way or have the same preferences.
By Ivanka on Tuesday, October 13, 1998 - 10:29 pm:
SUMMARY - It seems that a correlational design is appropriate for this type of study. To try to run an experiment or do a descriptive study may involve some deception and witheld information which would not be ethically permissible. It is necessary that the kids themselves are directly involved in order to gain the information needed and there are probably not a great amount of resources out there for a descriptive study to take place and be accurate. It is agreed that this sample size is too small to make any definate conclusions about adolescent mating preference.