The National Student Research Center

E-Journal of Student Research: Social Studies

Volume 4, Number 3, May, 1996

John I. Swang, Ph.D.

Founder/Director

National Student Research Center

2024 Livingston Street

Mandeville, Louisiana 70448

U.S.A.

E-Mail: nsrcmms@communique.net

http://youth.net/nsrc/nsrc.html

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. What Students Know And Feel About Drug Addiction?
2. Crime in the World
3. What Do You Know About Diabetes?
4. Pet Euthanasia
5. What Do You Like To Read?
6. Favorite Sports

TITLE:  What Students Know And Feel About Drug Addiction?

STUDENT RESEARCHERS:  Jeff Arabie and Mark Richard
SCHOOL:  Mandeville Middle School
         Mandeville, Louisiana
GRADE:  6
TEACHER:  John I. Swang, Ph.D.


I.  STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS:

We would like to do a survey research project on what students 
know and feel about drug addiction.  Our hypothesis states that 
the majority of the students we survey will not know that 37.2% 
of Americans, 12 year of age or older, had used an illegal drug 
at least once, in 1993.

II.  METHODOLOGY:

First, we stated our purpose, reviewed the literature on drug 
addiction, and developed our hypothesis.  After that we 
developed our questionnaire.  Then we drew a random sample of 
24 sixth grade students at Mandeville Middle School in 
Mandeville, Louisiana and administered our questionnaires to 
them.  We also sent our questionnaires out over the Internet.  
When we received the completed questionnaires, we scored them.  
Then we analyzed the data, wrote a summary, and drew our 
conclusion.  Finally, we applied our findings to the world 
outside the classroom.  We also sent our research to the NSRC 
journal for publication.

III.  ANALYSIS OF DATA:

We received a total of 87 completed questionnaires from 
students in Louisiana, Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, 
Singapore, Norway and Wisconsin.  The students responding were 
in grades 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 12.

A majority of 59% of the students we surveyed did not know that 
37.2% of Americans, 12 years of age or older, had used an 
illegal drug at least once, in 1993.  A majority of 81% knew 
that marijuana was the commonly used illicit drug in the world, 
in 1993.  A majority of 80% did not know that Anglo-Americans 
had the most drug users in the USA, in 1994.  A majority of 71% 
did not know that 1.4 million Americans used illegal drugs, in 
1994.  A majority of 82% did not know that there were 1,066,400 
drug related arrest in the USA, in 1992.  A majority of 87% did 
not know that marijuana has been used since 3,000 B.C..  A 
majority of 56% thought that teenagers 18 years old should be 
able to drink alcohol.  A majority of 86% thought that people 
should be arrested for drug abuse.  A large majority of 90% 
thought that drug abuse is a major problem in the world today.  
A majority of 76% did not think that alcohol should be banned 
and made illegal.  A majority of 70% thought that cigarettes 
and other tobacco products should be banned and made illegal.  
A majority of 71% did not think that marijuana should be 
legalized.  A majority of 70% did not know that 13 million 
Americans were alcoholics, in 1994.  A majority of 57% did not 
know that 60 million Americans smoked cigarettes, in 1994.  
Half of the students surveyed knew that cigarette smokers are 
most likely to be alcoholics or other drug users.  A large 
majority of 94% knew that nicotine is an addictive drug.  A 
very large majority of 99% knew that cigarette smoke causes 
lung cancer.

IV.  SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:

A small majority of 51% of the responses to the factual 
questions on our questionnaire were correct.  A majority of 59% 
did not know that 37.2% of Americans, 12 years of age or older, 
had used an illegal drug at least once, in 1993.  Therefore we 
accept our hypothesis.  

The majority thought that 18 year olds should be able to drink 
alcohol, but did not know that there are 13 million people in 
the USA suffering from alcoholism.  The majority thought that 
cigarettes should be banned and knew that nicotine was 
addictive and that cigarette smoke causes lung cancer.

V.  APPLICATION:

We can apply our findings to the world outside the classroom by 
telling teachers to spend more time teaching students about the 
dangers of drinking alcohol and using other drugs since almost 
half of the responses to the factual questions on our 
questionnaire were answered incorrectly.  Students know about 
the dangers of cigarettes and want them banned.  Students did 
not know the dangers of alcohol and want to drink. 
  



TITLE:  Crime in the World

STUDENT RESEARCHER:  Curtis Akey, Adam French, and Shawn Hymel
SCHOOL:  Mandeville Middle School
         Mandeville, Louisiana
GRADE:  6
TEACHER:  John I. Swang, Ph.D.


I.  STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS:

We would like to do a survey research project on what students 
know and feel about crime.  Our hypothesis states that a 
majority of the responses to the factual questions on our 
questionnaire will be answered correctly. 
  
II.  METHODOLOGY:

First, we wrote our statement of purpose and conducted a review 
of the literature about crime in the world.  Second, we 
developed a hypothesis and wrote our methodology to test it.  
Third, we developed a questionnaire about crime.  Then we drew 
a random sample of 36 sixth grade students at Mandeville Middle 
School in Mandeville, Louisiana and sent our questionnaire to 
them.  We also sent our questionnaire out on the Internet to 
schools around the world.  When we received the completed 
questionnaires back we scored them.  After that we conducted 
our analysis of data.  Then we wrote our summary and 
conclusion, and application.  Finally, we published our 
research in the NSRC's Journal of Student Research.

III.  ANALYSIS OF DATA:

Overall, we received a total 94 completed questionnaires from 
California, Louisiana, Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, Australia, 
Canada, Singpore, and Norway.  We received these completed 
questionnaires from students in grade levels 5 to 11.

A majority of 97% of the students we surveyed did not know that 
Sweden has the highest crime rate per 100,000 persons, as 
reported in 1992.  Even though Sweden has a higher crime rate 
per 100,000 persons than the USA, Sweden's crimes are far less 
violent than the USA's.  A majority of 73% did not know that 
the estimated number of arrests in the USA in 1992 was 
14,075,100 people.  A majority of 61% did not think that crime 
is a serious problem in their community.  A majority of 63% did 
not think that more prisons and longer jail terms would reduce 
crime.  A majority of 59% did not think that the police in 
their communities are doing a good job of stopping crime.  A 
majority of 67% knew that poverty and lack of education is a 
major cause of crime.  A majority of 53% said that they have 
not been a victim of crime.  A majority of 53% said that the 
death penalty does not help reduce violent crime.  A majority 
of 69% did not know that 910,462 persons were in prison during 
1993, in the USA.  A majority of 80% did not know that, in the 
USA, 5,660 crimes were reported for every 100,000 persons in 
1992.  A majority of 91% did not know that, in the England, 
7,396 crimes were reported for every 100,000 persons in 1992.  
A majority of 94% did not know that, in Sweden, 12,837 crimes 
were reported in 1992.  A majority of 68% did not know that, in 
Finland, 7,669 crimes were reported in 1992.  A majority of 55% 
did not know that, in France, 5,619 crimes were reported for 
every 100,000 persons in 1992.  A majority of 59% did not know 
that theft and burglary are the most frequent crimes committed 
in the USA.

IV.  SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:

Seventy-one percent of the responses to the factual questions 
on our questionnaire were incorrect.  Therefore, we rejected 
our hypothesis which stated that a majority of the responses to 
the factual questions on our questionnaire will be answered 
corrrectly.  The students know less than what we thought.  

The majority thought that crime was a serious problem in their 
communities, but had not been a victim of crime.  The majority 
did know that poverty and ignorance were the major causes of 
crime and didn't believe that more prisons, longer jail terms, 
and the death penalty would reduce crime.

V.  APPLICATION:

We can apply our findings to the world outside of the classroom 
by sending our findings to police chiefs and politician and 
tell them that a majority of the students do not think that the 
police in their community are doing a good job stopping crime 
and that they believe education and jobs are the best way to 
reduce crime.




TITLE:  What Do You Know About Diabetes?

STUDENT RESEARCHER:  Nic Young
SCHOOL:  Weber Elementary 
         Iowa City, Iowa
GRADE:  6 
TEACHER:  Chris Rohret


I.  STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS

I wanted to find out how much students in Team 4 (5th and 6th 
grades) at Weber and Lucas Elementary Schools, students at West 
and City High schools, undergraduates at Cornell College, and  
graduate and undergraduate students at the University of Iowa 
know about diabetes.  My hypothesis states that most students 
would not have an extensive knowledge of diabetes.

II.  METHODOLOGY

First, I decided upon my topic.  I choose diabetes and began to 
do my background research.  After I concluded my library 
research, I developed my hypothesis and statement of purpose.   
After drafting those, I wrote my questionnaire.  I chose my 
sample group of 23 students from Weber Elementary, 26 students 
from Lucas Elementary, 15 students from the University of Iowa, 
10 students from Cornell University, 20 students from City High 
School and 20 people from West High School.  I then 
administered my questionnaire to the students and scored my 
questionnaire when they were returned.  Then I wrote my final 
draft and published  it.
 
III.  ANALYSIS OF DATA  

Of the 114 surveys I sent out, 95 were returned.  Most of the  
students that I questioned knew that diabetes was a disease.  
However, only half knew that it involves the pancreas.  Less 
than 1/4 of the students surveyed knew that diabetics could not 
have too much food, as well as foods with little or no sugar.  
Over half the students surveyed knew type II diabetes is 
congenital.  They knew people who are overweight and over 40 
are more likely to  get type II diabetes.  No one I surveyed 
knew that the third kind of diabetes was gestational diabetes.  
Less than 1/4 the sampled group knew that complications from  
diabetes commonly included foot and nerve problems.  Many  
students said they thought money used for finding a cure for 
diabetes was being constructively used, but a small number said 
they didn't know very much about diabetes so they couldn't 
answer.  One half the students I surveyed said they would like 
to see more money going to find a cure for diabetes. 

IV.  SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

The majority of students surveyed had some knowledge of 
diabetes, but it was not extensive.  Therefore, I  accept my 
hypotheses that stated most students would not have an 
extensive knowledge of diabetes.     

V.  APPLICATION

I will send a copy of my research project to the American 
Diabetes Association and ask that they help find ways to better 
educate students in 5th-12th grades about diabetes.  I will 
also send a copy of my research project to the Iowa City 
Schools' nurses and ask that they include diabetes education in 
health classes in the elementary, junior high, or high schools.




Title:  Pet Euthanasia

Student Researcher:  Meagan Gugliano
School:  Irving B. Weber Elementary
         Iowa City, Iowa
Grade:  5
Teacher:  Chris Rohret


I.  STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS:

I wanted to find out if the students in grades three thru six 
(Teams 3 and 4) at Weber know about pet euthanasia and if they 
know what happens to a sick or injured animal that can't be 
cured.  Also, I wanted to get new ideas about what to do with 
sick or injured animals that can't be helped.  My hypothesis 
stated that the majority of students from Teams 3 and 4 would 
know about pet euthanasia. 

II.  METHODOLOGY:

I reviewed the literature by collecting pamphlets from the Iowa 
City/Coraville Animal Shelter.  I wrote my statement of purpose 
and hypothesis.  I wrote my survey and distributed it to 90 
students in Teams 3 and 4 at Weber.  I tallied my results and 
made pie charts.  I analyzed my data and wrote my summary and 
conclusion.

III.  ANALYSIS OF DATA:

Out of the 90 surveys I sent out, 75 were returned.  The 
majority of students in the third and fifth grade knew about 
euthanasia while the majority of students from fourth and sixth 
grade did not know about euthanasia.  Not many students had 
other ideas about what to do with sick or injured animals that 
can't be helped.

IV.  SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:

I will reject my hypothesis from the data shown above.  The 
majority of third and fifth grade students knew about 
euthanasia, but the majority of fourth and sixth grade students 
did not know about euthanasia.  It was interesting that in the 
sixth grade, 15 out of 17 students had pets.  In the third 
grade, 7 out of 11 students had pets.  In the fourth grade, 7 
out of 8 students had pets.  In the fifth grade, all the 
students I surveyed had pets (10).  

V.  APPLICATION:

My research has shown me that about half the students I 
surveyed did know about euthanasia.  I hope now that students 
will be more aware and will now take better care of their pets 
and have them neutered or spayed so they don't produce unwanted 
puppies or kittens.  Sometimes the puppies and kittens are 
taken to the animal shelter and there isn't any room for them 
so they have to be euthanized.  Others are left on the streets 
and die on their own.  




TITLE:  What Do You Like To Read?

STUDENT RESEARCHER:  Brittany Rohrer
SCHOOL:  Irving B. Weber Elementary School 
         Iowa City, IA
GRADE:  6
TEACHER:  Chris Rohret


I. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS:

My purpose was to find out what people in Team 4 (5th and 6th 
graders) prefer to read and write.  I am hoping that my survey 
will help the editors of Weber's literary/arts magazine to 
decide what type of stories to accept as well as help the 
authors decide what type of stories are best to write.  My 
first hypothesis stated that reading will be more popular than 
writing.  My second hypothesis stated that the majority of 
students will read fantasy, humor, and realistic fiction.  My 
third hypothesis stated that students will write about many of 
the same topics as they read about.  My fourth hypothesis 
stated that very few students will like to read or write non-
fiction.

II. METHODOLOGY: 

I began by reviewing literature on what kids like to read and 
write about.  My next step was to write my statement of purpose 
and hypothesis as well as my methodology.  After that I wrote 
and distributed my survey to a sample group of students which 
represented 25% of Team 4.  Scoring my surveys came next and I 
then concluded my project by sending it to National Student 
Research Center for publication.

III. ANALYSIS OF DATA:

Out of the 28 surveys I sent out, I was only able to use 20 of 
them.  I discovered that students in Team 4 read and write a 
variety of different types of literature.  Some of the most 
common types were adventure and humor.  31% of the male 
students chose adventure as their favorite subject to read 
about.  32% of the female students chose humor as their 
favorite subject to read about.  Ghost stories and fantasy were 
favorite topics to write about for 28% of the male students.  
24% of female students preferred to write about ghost stories 
and fantasy.  Almost 3 times as many students would rather read 
than write, and books are almost always read rather than 
magazines or newspapers. 

IV. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:

Since three times as many students would rather read than 
write, I accepted my first hypothesis which stated that reading 
will be more popular than writing.  I also accepted my second, 
third, and fourth hypotheses which stated that fantasy, 
realistic fiction and humor would be the most common subjects 
for students to read and to write about and that students would 
not choose to read or write about non-fiction topics. 

V. APPLICATION:

I will give the results of my survey to Weber's literary/ arts 
magazine and perhaps another magazine designed for students at 
the 5th and 6th grade reading level, in hopes that it will help 
them select the types of writings to publish in their magazine.     




TITLE:  Favorite Sports

STUDENT RESEARCHER:  Wesley Carrington
SCHOOL:  Weber Elementary
         Iowa City, IA.
GRADE:  6
TEACHER:  Chris Rohret


I.  STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS:

I would like to do a survey on what sports students like to 
play and watch on TV.  My first hypothesis stated that football 
will be the favorite sport that students like to play based on 
my observations that more students play football at recess and 
just hearing students talk.  My second hypothesis stated that 
soccer will be the second favorite sport to play because soccer 
is usually the second favorite sport to play at recess and lots 
of people play in the Iowa City Kickers Soccer League.  My 
third hypothesis stated that basketball will be the favorite 
sport to watch on TV because it is exciting.

II. METHODOLOGY:

First, I reviewed the literature about sports.  Then I wrote my 
statement of purpose and hypothesis.  I then developed my 
survey.  I surveyed 20% of the 5th and 6th graders at Weber and 
Lucas schools.  I then scored my questionnaires and wrote my 
analysis of data and summary and conclusion.  Finally, I wrote 
my abstract.

III.  ANALYSIS OF DATA:

Almost half of the boys liked playing football as their 
favorite sport.  Basketball was the second leading sport to 
play for the boys.  Soccer and baseball came next.  40% of the 
girls like to play basketball as their favorite sport.  Tennis 
and football came next.  67% of the boys said that their 
favorite sport to watch on TV was football.  17% of the boys 
said that they followed basketball on TV.  43% of the girls 
liked to watch basketball on TV.  29% of the girls said they 
followed football on TV.

IV. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:

Overall, basketball was the favorite sport to play beating 
football by 4%.  Therefore, I reject my first hypothesis that 
states that football would be the favorite sport to play.  I 
rejected my second hypothesis which stated that soccer will be 
the second favorite sport to play because football came in 
second.  For watching sports on TV, football was the leading 
sport followed by basketball.  Therefore, I reject my third 
hypothesis that states that basketball would be the favorite 
sport to watch on TV.

V.  APPLICATION:

I will send my research to a new school being built in Iowa 
City so they will have a little background knowledge on what 
are the favorite sports boys and girls like to play.  That 
should help school officials know what playground equipment to 
build.

© 1996 John I. Swang, Ph.D.