Here is a brief summary of the data collection plan of a
fictitious study. Read the summary and then respond to the
questions that follow.
Traina conducted a study to investigate the relationship
between adults' blood pressure and their suppression of anger. Data
were gathered from a sample of 347 healthy men and women aged 22 to
60 who were members of a gym in Washington DC. Subjects completed
two paper and pencil scales: The Feeling of Anger Scale and the
Expression of Anger Scale. The scales used a 9 point rating scales.
Responses to each scale were summed to yield a total score for each
variable. The subjects' BP was measured by nurses using zero
calibrated aneroid sphygmomanometers. Weight was measured with
subjects wearing only gym shorts and a t-shirt on an upright scale
to the nearest 10th of a pound. Heights was measured without shoes,
feet together. All instruments were assessed at being below the
eighth grade level. The results indicated for both men and women
higher diastolic and systolic BP was associated with higher levels
of suppressed anger even when various variables were statistically
controlled.
a. Which of the following types of data were collected in this
study (self-report, observation, biophysiologic, records)?
b. Were the data collection methods structured or
unstructured?
c. For which variables did Traina NOT derive numeric
information?
d. Which of the following specific methods were used
(likert-type scale, semantic differential scale, event history
calendar, rank-order questions, Q-sort)?
e. Which type of data collection was used: telephone
interview, personal interview, web-based interview, or
self-administered questionnaire?
f. Was readability assessed? At what level?
g. Provide at least one way that data collection and
measurement effort be improved in this study based on your
readings.