Think Sample Size Per Psy520 Module 1 Discussion
In this course, you will go beyond the research proposal that you created in PSY 510 (ATTACHED) and actually collect and analyze data in an attempt to answer your research question. In this discussion, address some of the challenges that you see in actually collecting data on your research question. How can these challenges be remedied?
When responding to your classmates, offer suggestions for how they can address the challenges they have identified.
To complete this assignment, review the Discussion Rubric document (attached).
AFTER COMPLETING THIS INITIAL POST, PLEASE ALSO RESPOND TO THE FOLLOWING TWO STUDENTS REGARDING THE SAME TOPIC!
STUDENT ONE:
I think sample size per group will be challenging while I’m collecting data. I am comparing students who have pets with students who do not have pets and evaluating which group reports more stress. Because of this, I need to have enough data in both groups. It will be very challenging for me if I don’t get enough participants from either the pet owner or non pet owner group to participate in my experiment. There should be enough information for both non owners and owners to be represented in my sample because 68% of Americans have pets (American Pet Product Association, 2018), but our class could be statistically uneven one way or the other. This survey also was collected based off American averages and not student specific, so this statistic could be incorrect for student demographics. I hope to remedy this challenge by simply having lots of students complete my survey. If I have enough students complete my survey, I won’t have to worry about a small sample size.
References
American Pet Product Association. (2018). Pet industry market size & ownership statistics. Retrieved from https://www.americanpetproducts.org/press_industry…
STUDENT TWO:
Rosnow and Rosenthal discuss the limitations for a questionnaire study and express the concern for volunteer research participants versus non-volunteers (2013). This is because of the possible hints and cues and they understand their role as “research subject” and possible expectations from the researchers (Rosnow & Rosenthal, 2013, p. 45). This is a real concern in collecting data and analysis for the research question. However, this is not a situation to remedy as the sample size is from the PSY 510 and 520 classes. Another potential problem I foresee is that the participants all need to create their own survey and we all know the purpose but what if they feel compelled to complete surveys for other students because they would like the same reciprocated.
Another potential factor is my ability to obtain results through use of my questions. I fear my own survey questions might be lacking. I have tried to look at other research studies to see how they ask questions of what might be pertinent to the survey. We already see that Dr. Kube mentioned we need to tighten up our questions for the survey and set our focus. Hopefully, with her advice we are all able to formulate the questions accordingly to obtain the best results.
References
American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct.Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/ethics/code/index?item=5
Rosnow, L. & Rosenthal, R. (2013). Beginning Behavioral Research: A Conceptual Primer (7th ed). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.