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EXPERIMENT PROPOSAL
Education and Voter Turnout Experiment Proposal
[SAMPLE PAPER]
Institution
Date
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EXPERIMENT PROPOSAL
Education and Voter Turnout Experiment Proposal
Literature Review
Research conducted over a half-century ago determined that the more education someone
had, the more likely they were going to vote (Burden, 2009). At the time high school was usually
the highest level of education attained by most people. In 1952, almost 85% of participants
surveyed reported that high school was where they stopped their formal education. In that same
year, less than 10% reported that their highest level of education attained was college. Around
fifty years later, in 2004, that percentage dropped from 40% to almost one-third reporting a
college education (Burden, 2009). Much of the research done in the 90ās and 00ās established a
strong and direct relationship between higher education and higher voter turnout. In the 2004
presidential election, 92% of college educated people reported that they had voted compared to
the 51% of high school educated individuals that voted (Burden, 2009). These studies and
surveys showed that there was a strong affiliation between greater education levels and political
participation.
Relative education has a larger effect on voter turnout than absolute education (Persson,
2013). For half a century, it was believed that education helped shaped oneās knowledge and
skills. This meant that the more education one had, the more knowledge and skills that they had,
and the more likely they were going to be politically involved. (Tenn, 2007). This idea was
known as civic education theory, which stated that more education would lead someone to be as
politically active as possible. Otherās argued that the effect of education was not causal at all, but
rather spurious (Burden, 2009). This hypothesis stated that it wasnāt the actual value of the
education a person was receiving, but rather the type of person and their background that
determined how likely they were to vote. For example, if a college student came from a
background with a family with high political involvement or high socioeconomic status, that
person is more likely to vote. This leads to selection bias as it is easier for that person to obtain
education than it is for another person. Many previous studies did not take this factor into
account.
Research has focused on trying to establish the relationship between oneās education
level and overall voter turnout. The focus has been on the amount of education someone attained,
but missed the importance of the types of teachers encountered, which can be an important factor
that should be included when talking about a studentās education. This current study will focus
not on a high school studentās amount of education, but rather the type of learning they are
receiving and the teachers that are teaching them. It is necessary to explore this pathway that has
not yet been explored.
Methodology
This study would primarily focus on high school students in their last year. The reason
for this is because these students are typically at least 17 years old already, if not 18. They have
taken all of the classes in their high schools that are necessary, specifically political classes. The
high school students will come from five different countries, including the United States,
Canada, Japan, United Kingdom, and Korea. There will be four high schools observed in each
EXPERIMENT PROPOSAL
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country, two from a high income area and two from a lower income area. The reason for this is
that income plays an important factor in a cityās ability to hire teachers. The more money a city
has, the more options and freedom they have when it comes to the type of teachers they want to
hire, but the same cannot be said for a low-income city. The hypothesis is that high school
students with more involved administration (specifically teachers) will be more interested in
what they are learning about (specifically political class) and therefore be more inclined to vote.
Teachers that are more devoted to teaching their students about politics will have more students
that will become more involved in politics and vote in the future while teachers that are
disinterested in teaching the subject will discourage students from wanting to get involved with
politics.
The overall experimental design will happen in all five countries at separate times. The
experiment will last for two months at the four high schools in each country. The students will be
in a classroom setting, learning about their countryās politics and current events for those two
months. They will have āclassā for one hour afterschool all five days of the school week. They
will also have a test on what they are learning after every month totaling for two tests. The way
to recruit students for this study will be through paying each student for their time. Each student
will receive $250 as a check after every week they attend. Although it may seem more difficult
to use this method in an higher-income area, it will still work as usually all high school students
donāt have a job where they can earn money on their own. $250 a week and $2,000 overall for
the entire duration of the experiment is an attractive offer to the students and can certainly garner
the amount of students needed for the experiment. The students will be told that it is a study
monitoring the teacherās performances, so that the students involved will not adjust their
behavior and skew the results.
In each country, there will one control group and one experimental group. Each group
will consist of thirty students and the students will be randomized and put into the respective
groups using a coin flip. It will be a blind study, meaning students do not know which group they
are in with only the researchers knowing. The control group will consist of a teacher that will
seem like they are not necessarily interested in teaching. They will do the basics, such as
assigning homework and lecturing, but they will not be involved with helping the students
understand the material better. The experimental group will consist of a teacher that is more
devoted to their students and their experience in learning about politics. Besides the basics
aforementioned, the teacher in the experimental group will hosts class discussion to involve as
many students as possible, always ask if the students ever need clarification on anything they
were confused on, and also help each of their students individually.
What the experiment hopes to investigate is the effect of teachers and the way they teach
and how it directly affects the studentsā overall interest in the subject of politics and whether or
not it will influence them to vote. Therefore, the independent variable that is manipulated are the
students in the study. The dependent variable that is being measured are the overall grades on the
tests the students take and their interest in politics throughout the two months. After the study is
over, the students will be asked questions that focus on their teachers, how well they thought
they taught, whether they are now more interested in politics than before they took the class, and
lastly, whether they are more inclined to vote now that they have a better understanding of their
countryās politics. By analyzing the studentsā grades, their response to their teachers, and their
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EXPERIMENT PROPOSAL
answers to the final questions, it can determine the difference between the control groups and the
experimental groups. It is expected that the students in the experimental group will have overall
higher test scores and have a positive response to their teachers than the ones in the control
group.
Importance
This experiment will be the key stepping stone for explaining the long debated
relationship between oneās education level and their likeliness to vote. Through this experiment,
psychologists will be able to better analyze whether someone votes or not. Many past studies
have focused on the amount of oneās education, such as Burdenās research. It is more important
to focus on oneās relative education. Teachers are one of the biggest influences in a studentās
education, and studying that relationship between them is necessary in order to determine the
need for more interested and devoted teachers. A politics teacher that is dedicated to their
students and their learning can have a huge impact on whether they vote or not. If the
relationship being tested in this experiment proves right, it will come to show that teachers that
are hired should be devoted to their students for the subject they are teaching, not just in a
politics class. Even if the results donāt exactly show it, the type of teacher being hired is still the
most important factor on the studentās learning environment. When students are in an
environment where they are engaged and feel welcome, they will thrive themselves. This matters
because students learning about politics will learn the importance of their vote.
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EXPERIMENT PROPOSAL
References
Burden, B. C. (2009). The dynamic effects of education on voter turnout. Electoral Studies,
28(4), 540ā549. doi: 10.1016/j.electstud.2009.05.027
Persson, M. (2013). Is the Effect of Education on Voter Turnout Absolute or Relative? A Multilevel Analysis of 37 Countries. Journal of Elections, Public Opinion & Parties, 23(2), 111ā133.
doi: 10.1080/17457289.2012.747530
Tenn, S. (2007). The Effect of Education on Voter Turnout. Political Analysis, 15(4), 446ā464.
doi: 10.1093/pan/mpm012
Running head: MASK WEARING AND SPREAD OF COVID 19
The Relationship Between Mask-Wearing and The Prevention in The Spread of COVID 19
NAME
PSY 2204
INSTITUTION
October 27th, 2020
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MASK WEARING AND THE SPREAD OF COVID 19
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The relationship between mask-wearing and the prevention in the spread of COVID 19
The primary goal for this research is to find out the effectiveness of mask wearing in the control
and prevention of the spread of COVID 19. This research will equip researchers with ample
knowledge regarding how the wearing of masks is tied to the prevention of COVID 19.
Methods
A sample size of 150 people is enough for this study since we shall be taken precautions due to
the spread of COVID 19. Two different organizations will be selected, whereby employees will
be asked to take part in the research. The study will be carried between October and December.
Researchers will ask employees from the selected organizations about mask wearing and if they
find it useful. A sample of 75 participants will be from each organization, although there will be
no limitation on gender and age. Based on the research, the number of participants selected will
be convenient in ensuring the study is comprehensive.
Researchers will conduct the survey via digital technology. This is where they will send a link to
the e-mails of the participants which, when clicked will redirect them to a set of questions.
Participants will be informed that the data is being recorded, and they should not mind about
their privacy. Assurance of privacy is one of the factors that will encourage people to participate
and give their responses. Once the data is retrieved, it will be analyzed carefully, whereby it will
be presented in quantitative form. Graphs and charts will also be used to present the results.
There will be ten questions that will provide multiple choices and as well have a rating scale. A
yes/ no question will not give enough response to the research. The questions will provide the
researchers with an appropriate platform for knowing the personality and behavioral aspects
influencing the wearing of masks. On top of this, the researcher will have enough reasons as to
MASK WEARING AND THE SPREAD OF COVID 19
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why people are wearing, and others are not wearing masks. Nonetheless, given the nature of the
questions, some responses will reveal what we already know about the topic. The following
questions will be part of the survey.
1. How often do you wear a mask?
ā¢
All the time
ā¢
Rarely
ā¢
Often
2. On a scale of 1 to 5, do you believe that masks aid in the prevention of the spread of COVID
19?
ā¢
Strongly Agree
ā¢
Agree
ā¢
Strongly Disagree
ā¢
Disagree
ā¢
Undecided
3. Do people's beliefs and ideologies play an important role in wearing mask?
ā¢
Strongly Agree
ā¢
Agree
ā¢
Strongly Disagree
ā¢
Disagree
ā¢
Undecided
4. Is the wearing of masks influenced by peopleās behavior?
ā¢
Strongly Agree
ā¢
Agree
MASK WEARING AND THE SPREAD OF COVID 19
ā¢
Strongly Disagree
ā¢
Disagree
ā¢
Undecided
5. Do you feel intimidated by wearing a mask?
ā¢
Strongly Agree
ā¢
Agree
ā¢
Strongly Disagree
ā¢
Disagree
ā¢
Undecided
6. Does a mask limit facial attractiveness?
ā¢
Strongly Agree
ā¢
Agree
ā¢
Strongly Disagree
ā¢
Disagree
ā¢
Undecided
7. Are people using masks to hide other things, such as their emotions?
ā¢
Strongly Agree
ā¢
Agree
ā¢
Strongly Disagree
ā¢
Disagree
ā¢
Undecided
8. Should people who fail to wear mask be subjected to legal repercussions?
ā¢
Strongly Agree
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MASK WEARING AND THE SPREAD OF COVID 19
ā¢
Agree
ā¢
Strongly Disagree
ā¢
Disagree
ā¢
Undecided
9. Do you think the government is doing enough to ensure that face masks are in plenty?
ā¢
Strongly Agree
ā¢
Agree
ā¢
Strongly Disagree
ā¢
Disagree
ā¢
Undecided
10. Do you think masks are preventing other communicable diseases?
ā¢
Strongly Agree
ā¢
Agree
ā¢
Strongly Disagree
ā¢
Disagree
ā¢
Undecided
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Running head: WHY DO/DONāT PEOPLE WEAR MASKS DURING A PANDEMIC
Why Do/Donāt People Wear Masks During a Pandemic?
Mariah Campos
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
PSY 2204
October 12th, 2020
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WHY DO/DONāT PEOPLE WEAR MASKS DURING A PANDEMIC
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!
Why do/donāt people wear masks during a pandemic?
The COVID 19 pandemic has changed how people live in contemporary society. This is
because people are now wearing masks as a way of curbing the spread of the virus. Nonetheless,
some people do not see the essence of wearing it, thus eliciting mixed reactions from different
quarters. Those who wear masks say that they prevent them from spreading the virus to other
people and, at the same time, offer them protection. Notably, (Bahl et al., 2020) revealed that
masks might have droplets expelled from the people wearing them. The transmission of the virus
is usually escalated by these droplets.
Another reason as to why people wear masks is because some people may not exhibit
symptoms of the virus or any other disease during a pandemic. For example, in the case of
COVID 19, approximately 40% of the people are asymptomatic, thus implying that they can
spread the virus to other people unknowingly (Oran et al., 2020). It is also difficult to trace
people who are spreading the virus silently; therefore, wearing a mask will prevent the situation
from escalating. Mask wearing prevents community transmission of the COVID 19 virus. In
addition, wearing masks during a pandemic coupled with other options helps in reducing the
number of infections at a significant margin.
Also, people do not wear masks due to varied reasons. Some people do not see the
essence of wearing a mask. Others also believe that the virus is a hoax and does not exist. In
addition, leaders play a pivotal role in influencing their people not to wear masks. If they wear
masks while in public, then their supporters will also follow suit. Therefore, the results of the
qualitative study will provide in-depth reasons and answers as to why people wear and do not
wear masks during a pandemic.
WHY DO/DONāT PEOPLE WEAR MASKS DURING A PANDEMIC
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!
Methodology
A group of 15 participants will be selected for the exercise, whereby they will attend
interviews. An invitation to participate in the interview will be sent to them via email. The first
fifteen will be selected and invited to a suitable venue. The targeted participants will be people of
different ages, careers, and areas of residence. This implies there will be no limitations.
Questions asked will be from different sources, such as peer-reviewed articles related to the
topic, newspapers, websites, and blogs. This will be essential since the emergence of COVID 19,
a lot has been written and published on the aforementioned platforms. The interview session will
be conducted once per week basis, and they will be limited to a maximum of 45 minutes. As
mentioned earlier, participants will be invited via email. The target participants will be based on
people from eateries, bars, sports, and religious setups. Once they agree to be part of the research
study, contacts such as phone numbers and emails will be taken and an invitation sent to them
informing them about the place of the interview. I preferred using interviews since I will receive
firsthand information from participants. In addition, they minimize room for making errors, and
at the same time, I will be in a position to judge the non-verbal cues from the respondents. Using
interviews also helps in increasing flexibility. They also give me the power to control the order
of questions. I hope to receive information that is accurate and reliable, as this will make it easy
to carry out even future research.
WHY DO/DONāT PEOPLE WEAR MASKS DURING A PANDEMIC
!
References
Bahl, P., Doolan, C., de Silva, C., Chughtai, A. A., Bourouiba, L., & MacIntyre, C. R. (2020).
Airborne or droplet precautions for health workers treating COVID-19?. The Journal of
infectious diseases.
Oran, D. P., & Topol, E. J. (2020). Prevalence of Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A
Narrative Review. Annals of Internal Medicine.
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