Research Methods
- State general hypothesis(es). Identify dependent variable and independent variable.
The hypotheses for this study are as follows:
- Men show signs of stress/distress in more obvious ways, such as anti-social behavior, through physical and/or verbal hostility.
- Women show signs of stress/distress in less observable ways, such as depression, anxiety, etc., and physical pains related to stress.
- Men are more likely to attribute their stress to financial issues.
- Women are more likely to attribute their stress to interpersonal relationship issues.
Dependent variable: what each category’s stressor is self-reported to be and the
outcomes (hostility or anxiety, for example)
Independent variable: gender categories - men and women
- Qualitative or quantitative? Why?
This is an example of qualitative research because by definition qualitative research is “a relatively unstructured approach to social science, involving an interpretive, naturalistic method, attempting to make sense of, or interpret, phenomena in terms of the meanings people bring to them” (Dorsten, p.64). The researchers look at the sex of the individual and what they individually attribute their stress to. The researchers also look at what the results of their stressors are, such as physical ailments or behavioral issues. This research did not generate a set of raw numbers to be interpreted and analyzed, thus making it qualitative research.
- Summarize findings.
Within the research parameters, the results of this study followed the hypotheses closely. Men were found to be more likely to report stress as a result of financial situations, but also work issues were reported to be a stressor for men (which was not originally hypothesized). In addition, women reportedly were more affected by family problems in a negative capacity. It was also found that women were not stressed by issues concerning their network of friends. Regarding the type of stressor, financial concerns were reported to elevate hostility in men more so than in women. It was also found that women reported somatic responses to financial stresses.
research methods in psychology
Reference:
Dorsten, Linda Eberst & Lawrence Hotchkiss. Research Methods and Society:
Foundations of Social Inquiry. New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005.
