COM 316: How do same-sex friendships compare with cross-sex friendships?

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COM 316 Mini-Research Project 100 points

GOAL: To experience the process of data collection, data analysis, and reporting of research results.

THE SURVEY

You will be administering a survey that attempts to answer the following research questions:

1. How do same-sex friendships compare with cross-sex friendships?

2. Why do men and women create cross-sex friendships?

3. What challenges do cross-sex friends face in their friendship?

4. Do your participants prefer their same-sex friendships or their cross-sex friendships?

The survey to be administered is found under Course Documents in Blackboard.

It is designed to be administered in a face-to-face setting with you recording the participants’ answers. In face-to-face interviews, you may ask probing questions or clarifying questions, if needed.

You may add or modify survey questions if you would like.

You should make 10 copies of the survey per team member. You might want to add space under each question for the recording of their responses. You may add questions to the survey if you would like.

THE RESEARCH TEAM

Your research team is responsible for administering the survey to 10 people per team member. The team will then analyze the data and write one research report. The team members’ names must appear on this report.

THE SAMPLE

The sample for this study should have the following characteristics:

1. Ages between 20-30 years old.

2. The sample should have engaged in both same-sex friendship and cross-sex friendship in their post-high school years.

3. Type of Relationship—the relationships under study should NOT be romantic in nature.

4. Men and Women. 50% of your sample should be men; 50% women. In your analysis you may compare the responses of men vs. women.

5. Participants may be either heterosexual or homosexual.

The participant’s number is one you assign to them in order to keep track of the surveys. The respondent’s must remain anonymous so this numbering allows you to ensure anonymity.

Make sure you share with your participants the instructions as printed on the survey. Make sure you answer their questions prior to administering the survey. The survey should take only 15-20 minutes of their time (unless they are quite verbal!). Let them know their time commitment when asking if they will participate.

DATA ANALYSIS

Your team will need to calculate averages for the participant’s ages and closeness of their friendships. Frequencies should be calculated for other survey questions, such as preference for type of friendship, etc. Qualitative analysis should be conducted on the open-ended questions, such as the benefits of cross-sex friendship and the challenges of this friendship. For qualitative analysis, you should look for major themes in their responses.

In order to assess the influence of gender on level of satisfaction with the long distance relationship, divide your participants into a female group and a male group. Calculate the average of each group’s scores on the level of satisfaction question. Compare their averages.

You need to provide at least 4 quotes from your participants in your research findings section to illustrate your findings (review presenting qualitative findings in your text).

THE REPORT

Your report should follow the APA guidelines (formatting throughout as learned for Activity 1). You do not have to conduct a literature review; just present an overview of the problem, citing research when appropriate. Include headings and sub-headings in your paper. Remember, when you cite specific research reports, you must include a Reference Page at the end of the report. The report will be lengthy—typically between 15-20 pages. Each partner in the research team is expected to contribute to the report equally. All partners’ names should appear on the submitted report.

I am doing this research paper with a partner. She is writing the first 7 1/2 pages and I’m writing the last 7 1/2 pages. Below is our outline we came up with. So start this research paper with #7 the 4 quotes and then go from there.

1. Background of the topic

2. Intro study/ goal/ purpose of this study

3. Who studied

4. Ages, orgin, sex

5. Closeness of the relations of the person they are talking about. ( x amount of years)

6. Go into details about the studying

7. Quotes of 4 people

8. More background via google

9. Comparison of our study to another study

10. History of cross sex friendships

11. What makes a cross sex friendship successful

12. Factors of failed cross sex friendships

13. Examples of cross sex friendships in the media

14. What we conclude of the study.

15. Google info