Research evaluation of article

Student

Course

Tutor

Date

 

Which type applies to the article selected?

Quantitative study

Location of Researcher’s Observation (Experiment)?

School

Were children involved?
NO
INTRODUCTION
Research Hypothesis/Research Questions(s)/Problem Behavior(s)

The study aimed at examining engagement premarital status based on the satisfaction of relationship, as well as idealistic expectations in marital status among the beliefs of young adults.

For more understanding, the study focused on determining whether there is identifiable differences on Evaluation and nurturing Relationship Issues, Communication and Happiness (ENRICH) Marital Satisfaction Scale (EMS) against, Idealistic Distortion(ID) and Marital Satisfaction(Bonds-Raacke et al., 2001). Further to correlate the aspect of marital satisfaction against length of marriages. This factor was facilitated by satisfaction aspects especially on happiness, connected to decreasing levels in marriage status.

Operational definition(s)

Marriage satisfaction- in the study satisfaction in marriage refers to the social, emotional, sexual as well as the financial factors that enhance the belief happiness in marriage. Further, Bonds-Raacke et al. (2001) maintains that, initial stages in marriage portrays satisfaction coupled with sexual activities

Marital expectations in the study refer to the set standard and qualities in reference to factors that enhance happiness as construed by varied individuals.

To measure the outcomes of these aspects, this analysis wills determine the results of the study in respect to satisfaction and expectations correlation.
Is the need for the study clearly stated in the introduction?

YES. Purpose of conducting the study is indicated on the notions implied on marriage; happiness/satisfaction and expectation. These factors are mostly held by persons in premarital status.

Hypothesis

More so, the research hypotheses are clearly stated within the purpose of the study, based on application of several theories for applicability in determining satisfaction and expectations.

Review of Literature as relevant to the study

The literature for this study is short and precise enabling the reader to understand the concepts to be evaluated. This section elaborates the satisfaction and expectation concepts for this study, with factors associated by most individuals as happiness in marriage leading to satisfaction.

METHOD
Sample size and Size per group/cell

The study employed a cluster sampling technique in selecting the participants. A sample size of 104 students was selected with consideration of two groups segregated on gender basis. Further, these groups were segregated according to the marital statuses to garner more understanding on satisfaction and expectation factors. Therefore, the two groups included 23 men against 81 women while the marital statuses groups had 15 married participants, 19 participants who were engaged and 70 participants in dating relationships. In addition, the study considered the age factor with the mean age considered to be 22 of all the participants in the study.

Questions
were the methods described so that the study could be replicated
without further information? Yes____ No______ Then explain why.

YES- to sustain the focus of the study

Subjects
Were subject recruitments and selection methods described? Yes or No

NO
Were subjects randomly selected? Were there any biases in sampling? If
yes please explain.

The study subjects were randomly selected within the cluster. There were no biases in sampling as the study considered gender perspectives. Further, it may appear imbalanced but the criterions further applied by the researchers enhance minimization of biases.
Were the samples appropriate for the population to which the researcher wished to generalize? If yes, explain.

YES. The appropriateness of the study samples is evident with connection to the study purpose discussed earlier. The study aimed at evaluating the aspects of satisfaction and expectation, which corresponds to the sample selected. The samples were selected within a university which is comprehensive to attain willing and available individuals for participation.
Were characteristics of the sample adequately described?

Characteristics of the sample were described inform of ranging marital statuses. This relates to the married participants, engaged participants and participants in dating relationships.
Are there two or more groups being compared? If so what are they?

To accentuate understanding of satisfaction and expectations, the study compared varied groups. These groups are men and women and also, the married, engaged and those dating.
Was informed consent obtained? Explain.

Informed consent was obtained for the study as evident where the researcher acknowledged participation of respondents voluntarily. More so, the consent also considered the confidentiality of the participants which is an ethical attribute in conducting research.

Was the size of the sample large enough for the number of measures and
for the effect being sought? (gut feeling)

On the contrary, the sample size was not adequate for all the measures that were expected in the study. More would have garnered precise results especially since the methods of data collection used had cost effectiveness factors aligned with time management. Further, since the sample was selected prior informed, biases were probable to the questions asked.
RESEARCH DESIGN

• Correlational research is applied with inclusion of the two groups to show the relationship between expectations and satisfactions in marriage.
• Survey research is applied with consideration of the specific groups’ selection to offer insight on expectation and satisfaction in marriage.
• Phenomenology is applied with aim of understanding satisfaction and expectations in marriage from married, engaged and individuals on extended dating relationships.
  Cross sectional- the study employs this design in selection of samples based on age groups facilitated by marital statuses. The age groups selected resulted to a median of age 22.
• Cross sequential €“ the time selected or the study was short against the age groups selected for the study.
• Two or more dependent variables (MANOVA) -these variables are-married participants, engaged participants and the dating participants

If appropriate, was a control group used?

No control group in the study for both groups; men and women had equal stakes to the study subject.

MEASURES
Type of dependent Measure(s)/Instruments used

EMS scale was used to measure the data collected for reliability as well as validity to the study. The scale had selected 15 items where 10 assessed marital status and the reminder, assessed both positive and impractical relationships responses. Likert scale -6 point was used to assess the attitudes of the participant, on their relationship satisfaction.

Measurement/Instrument Validity

Concurrent validity was used in the study to measure the correlation between women and men responses on relationships. This method measured reliability of the EMS scale on agreement between the study variables. Construct validity was also used to show the correlation of EMS scale on the scores agreement. It measured neutral scores on participants’ parental responsibilities as well as satisfaction on heterosexual relationships.

Measurement/Instrument Reliability Information

EMS scale had .86 internal reliability on alternative aspects related to marriage satisfaction and expectations with intent of identifying causal effects on the variables. For instance, parents influence on marriage perceptions and the relationships of situations signifying satisfaction and expectations signs in marriage and premarital relationships.

INDEPENDENT/DEPENDENT VARIABLE

• Independent variable €“ is identified as the satisfaction and expectations factors in marriage for individuals in premarital status
• Dependent Variable- identified as the individuals with expectations and varying satisfaction in marriage. These are the married, engaged and those in extended dating.

DATA ANALYSIS
Scales of Measurement
Nominal scales for measuring the mode of responses from the selected sample groups

Ordinal Scales for measuring the mode of responses according to order, hence the Likert Scale incorporation for causal relationship.

What type of statistical Techniques are used €“

• Pearson Correlational Analyses technique to show relationship regarding age factor and EMS. Further, indicating varying responses on gender responses.
• Scheffe post hoc analysis was used t elaborate the ideal status of marriage for engaged participants and those dating.

What type of Table and Graphs are used? 

• No visual presentation of analyzed data.

Do the data fulfill the assumptions and requirements of the statistics? (Explain)

Assumptions were fulfilled with outcomes of expectations affecting satisfaction in marriage

DISCUSSION
Summary and conclusions– Usefulness
Do the researchers discuss marginally or non-significant results as though they were significant? (Explain)

The study usefulness is evident in the results as the significantly relays the outcomes corresponding to the research. The results discussed in are significant to the study for relationships satisfaction and expectations emphasis, for instance the incorporation of romance as expectation facilitating satisfaction in marriage.

Do the researchers over interpret the data? For example, do they
use casual language to integrate Correlational findings or consider
self-report of behavior to be equivalent to direct observation?
Explain as well

Data is precisely interpreted though the researcher includes self reports based on observations such as the view on romantic love.

Do the researchers consider alternative explanations for the findings?

YES.

Do the researchers have a humility sections that describes the
limitations of the research?

NO

Do the researchers point out aspects of subject selection, procedures, and dependent variables that limit generalizability of the findings?

YES. These factors are media enhanced perceptions on happiness, hence affecting individuals on expectations and satisfaction in marriage.

 

 

 

DESCRIBE WHAT YOU LEARNED FROM THE STUDY

Lesson learnt in the study relates to the satisfaction and expectations in marriage being a perception to individuals.  These aspects are further influenced by what individuals perceive from external surroundings. Therefore, individuals are affected once they get married and the expectations and satisfaction diminish, leading to marital problems which may prompt counseling for solutions or separation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference

Bonds-Raacke, J., Bearden, E. S., Carriere, N. J., Anderson, E. M., & Nicks, S. D. (2001). Engaging distortions: Are we idealizing marriage? The Journal of Psychology, 135(2), 179-179-84.