The National Student Research Center
E-Journal of Student Research: Social Studies
Volume 4, Number 6, August, 1996
The National Student Research Center
is dedicated to promoting student research and the use of the
scientific method in all subject areas across the curriculum,
especially science and math.
For more information contact:
- 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
- Global Warming
- How Students Feel About Gay Rights
- Survey of Females and Males Working
With Computers
- Student Knowledge of Gun Control
- Adoption
- What People Would Actually be Willing
to do to Save the Rain Forest?
- Student Opinion About Smoking
- Student Awareness of Racism
- Student Knowledge of Teenage Suicides
- Student Opinions About the Women's
Rights Movement
TITLE: Global Warming
STUDENT RESEARCHER: Daniel Dobi
SCHOOL: North Stratfield School
Fairfield, Connecticut
GRADE: 4
TEACHER: Mr. Vinny Carbone, M.Ed.
I. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS:
I want to find out what the average fourth and fifth grader
knows abut global warming. I think that the average fourth and
fifth grader will be able to correctly answer six out of the
nine questions on my questionnaire about global warming.
II. METHODOLOGY:
I will review the literature and find out information on global
warming. I will then make up a questionnaire from my research.
I will distribute the questionnaire to the fourth and fifth
graders at random. Then I will analyze the results.
III. ANALYSIS OF DATA:
Twelve students responded to my questionnaire. Here are my
results from my questionnaire. Two out of twelve knew that
global warming means the sun warming the earth. Two out of
twelve knew that CFC's cause global warming. Eleven out of
twelve knew that global warming may melt the ice at the North
Pole. Eleven out of twelve knew that without global warming
the earth's temperature would be cooler. Four out of twelve
knew that the warmest decade on record was the 1980's. Four
out of twelve knew that global warming could cause a flood.
Four out of twelve knew the name for the invisible coat of
gases that surround the earth is called the atmosphere. Only
one person knew that the atmosphere keeps the earth from
getting too hot. No one knew what happened when there are too
many gases in the atmosphere.
IV. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:
I found out that the fourth and fifth graders correctly
answered two out of the nine questions. The majority of
students knew the answers to questions three and four.
Therefore, my hypothesis was rejected.
V. APPLICATION TO LIFE:
This information should encourage us not to pollute. It's bad
for the atmosphere and people.
TITLE: How Students Feel About Gay Rights
STUDENT RESEARCHER: Carolyn Pruitt
SCHOOL: Pineview Middle School
Covington, Louisiana
GRADE: 6
TEACHER: M. Phillips
I. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS:
I want to do a survey research project regarding how students
feel about gay rights. This is a very big social issue today
with many people for and against gay rights. My first
hypothesis states that the majority of students surveyed will
be for gay rights. My second hypothesis states that the
majority of students surveyed will agree that gays should be in
the military. My third hypothesis states that the majority of
students surveyed will agree that gay should be able to get
married.
II. METHODOLOGY:
First, I will develop my questionnaire and pass it out to the
10 students in my class. Five of the students will be boys and
five will be girls. Then I will gather my questionnaires and
analyze my data. Finally, I will write my summary and
conclusion.
III. ANALYSIS OF DATA:
I found that the majority of students did believe in gay
rights. A majority of 70% thought that gays should be in the
military. Only 30% thought that they should be able to get
married. A few were undecided on my questions.
IV. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:
I accepted my first hypothesis which stated that the majority
of students surveyed will be for gay rights. I accepted my
second hypothesis which stated that the majority of students
surveyed will agree that gays should be in the military. I
rejected my third hypothesis which stated that the majority of
students surveyed will agree that gay should be able to get
married.
V. APPLICATION:
There is too much controversy going on about gay rights. My
findings could be useful information as the debate continues
about gay rights, gays in the military, and gay marriage.
TITLE: Survey of Females and Males Working With Computers
STUDENT RESEARCHER: Jackie Sanchez & Jason Riley
SCHOOL: Chaparral High School
Las Vegas, Nevada
GRADE: 12
TEACHER: Mr. Wood
I. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS:
Over the last two months, we conducted an e-mail survey in
order to investigate the ratio of females to males involved in
working with computers and their motivations for doing so. Our
hypothesis stated that more males would be working with
computers than females.
II. METHODOLOGY:
We developed a survey requesting information about the location
of the responding schools, the ages and sex of students using
computers, and various questions about their background. The
survey was sent out on the telecomputing networks on April 7
and we received 12 responses.
III. ANALYSIS OF DATA:
In some age groups, there were more males and in others more
females. Combined there were eight hundred and ninety-eight
students in the survey. This total was divided in five age
groups.
Actual Numbers of Students Using Computers
Ages Males Females Total
0 - 9 ( 39) ( 35) ( 73)
10 - 13 (119) (112) (231)
14 - 16 (201) (221) (422)
17 - 19 ( 72) ( 69) (141)
20+ ( 18) ( 12) ( 30)
-----------------------------------
Total (449) (449) (898)
There were exactly the same number of females as there are of
males using the computer in the survey. A large number of
students reported their parents had no contact with computers.
The parents who do use computers, mostly use them for
spreadsheets, payroll, and to type memos. Most of the students
involved with computers were mainly interested with the
practicality of computers. A very small percentage planed to
major in a computer related subject. Many of the students got
involved with computers as a school requirement and now enjoy
the benefits.
IV. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:
We did not receive enough answers to be able to call the survey
accurate. However, in the schools that did reply, the number
of males and females was exactly the same. Conclusions cannot
be drawn from this result, although it would seem that females
are playing an important role in the telecommunications and
computer world and are as active in it as the males.
Therefore, we tentatively reject our hypothesis which stated
that more males would be working with computers than females.
TITLE: Student Knowledge of Gun Control
STUDENT RESEARCHERS: Angela Geraci & Lindsay Flexer
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 scientific research project on students'
knowledge of gun control. Our hypothesis states that the
majority of students will have a gun in their home.
II. METHODOLOGY:
First, we wrote our statement of purpose. Then we went on the
National Student Research Center's Electronic School District
and found two students from Mimosa Elementary School in Luling,
Louisiana to join our collaborative research team. After that
we wrote our review of literature and developed our hypothesis.
Next, we developed our questionnaires and administered them to
a random sample population of 36 sixth grade students at
Mandeville Middle. In addition we sent the questionnaires to
Mimosa Elementary where it was also administered to 21 third
grade students. When all the questionnaires were returned we
scored and analyzed the data. Then we wrote our summary and
conclusion and application.
III. ANALYSIS OF DATA:
We sent out 36 questionnaires to Mandeville Middle School sixth
grade students and 35 responded. We also sent out 21
questionnaires to third graders at Mimosa Elementary. A
majority of 41 students didn't know that the Brady Bill has a
five day waiting period for the purchase of a gun. A majority
of 38 knew that the U.S. leads the world in the most gun
related accidents. A majority of 47 did not know that single
females are the most likely to have and carry a gun. A
majority of 32 didn't know that the second amendment to the
Constitution guarantees the right of citizens to bear arms.
Out of 52 students, a majority of 37 had a gun in their home.
A majority of 30 believe that guns save peoples lives. A
majority of 43 believe that guns are not "cool". A majority of
40 feel that people should own guns. A majority of 38 thought
that guns stop murders, assaults, and robberies in homes. A
majority of 46 thought that guns should be locked in a safe
when not in use. A majority of 46 thought that the U.S. should
have stronger gun control laws because so many people are being
killed with guns.
IV. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:
Sixty-eight percent of the surveyed students have a gun in
their home. Therefore we accept our hypothesis which stated
that the majority of students would have a gun in their home.
The students who answered our questionnaire did not know a lot
about gun control, but they made it clear that they believe the
United States should make stronger gun control laws.
V. APPLICATION:
Sixty-eight percent of answers to factual questions on our
questionnaire were incorrect. This data indicates we should
ask the schools to develop a gun awareness program to help
students understand the dangers of a gun better.
TITLE: Adoption
STUDENT RESEARCHER: Jacqueline Warden
SCHOOL: Mandeville Middle School
Mandeville, Louisiana
GRADE: 6
TEACHER: John I. Swang, Ph.D.
I. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS:
I wanted to know how much students know about adoption. My
hypothesis stated that the majority of students I survey
will correctly answer half of the questions about adoption
on my questionnaire.
II. METHODOLOGY:
First, I wrote my statement of purpose and hypothesis.
Next, I wrote my review of literature and questionnaire.
Then I did my random sample and administered my
questionnaires. After that I scored my questionnaires and
wrote my analysis of data. Finally, I wrote my summary and
conclusion and application.
III. ANALYSIS OF DATA:
The data collected produced the following results: Ten
students out of the sixteen who responded knew what foster
parents were, ten students knew that children usually stay
in an orphanage for about four years, ten students knew that
children don't have to go through a foster home before being
adopted, eight students knew being "given up" isn't the only
reason for adoption, five students knew someone adopted, and
three students knew the first orphanage was built in the
eighteenth century.
IV. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:
I found out that most of the students I surveyed knew a lot
about adoption. I accept my hypothesis which stated that
the majority of students I survey will correctly answer half
of the questions about adoption on my questionnaire.
V. APPLICATION:
I think I can use the information I collected to help inform
and change students feelings about adoption.
TITLE: What People Would Actually be Willing to do to Save the
Rain Forest?
STUDENT RESEARCHER: Peter Hisken
SCHOOL:Lakeridge Elementary
Mercer Island, WA
GRADE: 4
TEACHER: Tarry Lindquist
I. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS
I wanted to find out what people would actually do to save the
rain forest. My hypothesis stated that people would be willing
to do a lot to save the rain forests around the world.
II. METHODOLOGY
My methodology was to develop a survey and give it to average
people at a QFC Supermarket and to my family. The total number
of people I surveyed was twenty-five. Then I analyzed the data
to see if I accepted or rejected my hypothesis.
III. ANALYSIS OF DATA
The survey made people actually say what they would do to save
the rain forest. First, all twenty-five people thought it was
important to save the rain forest. The thing that the most
people were willing to do was write their Congressman (22 out
of 25). The next most popular thing to do was have a ban on
exotic woods (20 out of 25). The thing people were least
willing to do was go to the rainforest and work (9 of 25).
Many people did not want to go because they had families and
jobs here. It was interesting that nineteen out of twenty-five
people were willing to donate money. The average amount
mentioned was about $25 per year.
IV. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
My hypothesis was that people were willing to do a lot to save
the rain forest. I accept my hypothesis because out of 200
possible answers to the survey questions, 148 were yes. I think
that is a very strong response. People were actually willing
to do something. The four things people were most willing to
do were write their Congressmen, ban exotic woods, donate
money, and boycott products.
TITLE: Student Opinion About Smoking
STUDENT RESEARCHER: Kevin Esvalt
SCHOOL:Lakeridge Elementary
Mercer Island, WA
GRADE: 4
TEACHER: Tarry Lindquist
I. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS
I wanted to find out what the students in Mrs. Linquist's class
thought about smoking. I wanted to find out what they thought
we should do about it. My first hypothesis stated that the
majority of students would think that smoking should be banned
in restaurants, malls, office buildings, etc., and smoking in a
car with children should be illegal. My second hypothesis
stated that the majority would think that nonsmoking prisoners
in jail should get nonsmoking cells. My third hypothesis
stated that the majority of students would think that the best
way to stop kids from smoking would be to show them what
happens to a smoker.
II. METHODOLOGY
To do my project, I made questionnaires and asked a total of 20
students in Mrs. Lindquist's 4th and 5th grade classes to
complete them. Then I analyzed the data.
III. ANALYSIS OF DATA
The majority of the students thought that smoking in a car with
children should be illegal, and that smoking should be banned
in office building, restaurants, shopping malls, and
hotels/motels. The majority thought that smoking should be
allowed in outdoor stadiums and that the best way to stop kids
from smoking would be to show them what happens to a smoker.
They also thought that nonsmoking prisoners in jail should get
nonsmoking cells.
IV. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
The majority of the students thought that smoking should be
banned in office building, restaurants, shopping malls,
hotels/motels, and jails. Therefore, I accepted my first two
hypotheses. I also accepted my third hypothesis which stated
that the majority of students would think that the best way to
stop kids from smoking would be to show them what happens to a
smoker.
TITLE: Student Awareness of Racism
STUDENT RESEARCHER: Leslie Martino
SCHOOL: Mandeville Middle School
Mandeville, Louisiana
GRADE: 6
TEACHER: John I. Swang, Ph.D.
I. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS:
I want to find out if the sixth grade students at MMS are aware
of racism. My hypothesis states that the majority of the sixth
grade students at MMS are not aware of racism.
II. METHODOLOGY:
First, I did my statement of purpose, review of literature,
bibliography, and hypothesis. Then I wrote a questionnaire on
racism. Next, I gave my questionnaires to the sixth grade
students that were picked in a random sample. Then I
administered and scored my questionnaires. Lastly, I did my
analysis of data, summary and conclusion, and an application.
III. ANALYSIS OF DATA:
I sent out 18 questionnaires and 15 were returned. A majority
of eight students knew someone who was prejudiced against other
races. Seven students didn't. A majority of twelve students
thought it was wrong to be against other races. A majority of
twelve students thought all races are equal. A majority of
eight students have concerns about racism. Seven students have
no concerns. A majority of fourteen students thought that
Jews, Blacks, Asians, Hispanics, and Whites don't live
peacefully together in America. A majority of twelve students
thought racism was a big problem in America today. A majority
of thirteen students thought racism isn't a big problem in
Mandeville today. A majority of twelve students thought
America is a multi-racial society. A majority of ten students
didn't think multi-racial families were okay.
IV. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:
I found out that the majority of the sixth grade students are
aware of racism at a national level, but are not aware of
racism in Mandeville. Therefore, I reject my hypothesis which
stated that the majority of the sixth grade students at MMS are
not aware of racism.
V. APPLICATION:
I can apply my research findings to the real world by using it
to tell teachers to teach more about racism in our community.
They could also teach more multi-cultural themes in class.
TITLE: Student Knowledge of Teenage Suicides
STUDENT RESEARCHER: Emily Robertson
SCHOOL: Mandeville Middle School
Mandeville, Louisiana
GRADE: 6
TEACHER: Gina Stone, Med.
I. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS:
I want to know how sixth grade students at MMS feel about
teenage suicide and what they know about this subject. My
hypothesis states that the sixth grade students at MMS will
know a little about teen suicide, but will all have very
different thoughts and opinions about this.
II. METHODOLOGY:
First, I wrote my statement of purpose, reviewed the
literature, and stated my hypothesis. Next, I developed a
questionnaire to find out how sixth grade students at MMS felt
about teenage suicide. I randomly selected eighteen students
from the sixth grade. I administered the questionnaires to the
students. Then I collected and analyzed my data and accepted
or rejected my hypothesis. Finally, I wrote my summary and
conclusion.
III. ANALYSIS OF DATA
Most students have not thought about the subject of teenage
suicide, but two students have. Most students correctly
answered that 5,000-6,000 suicides were committed each year.
Only one, out of the ten students whose questionnaires were
returned, disagreed that the loss of a friend or relative might
cause someone to commit suicide. Only three students of the
ten disagreed that parents separation was sometimes a reason
for teens to kill themselves. All ten students knew that teens
committed suicide because of depression. Most students had an
idea about other reasons for suicide. The majority of the
students would tell a friend that was thinking of suicide to
get help and they would be there for them.
IV. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
Most students had the same thoughts and opinions about teenage
suicide. Everyone knew a little about it. I rejected my
hypothesis that stated that every student I surveyed would have
different ideas about teenage suicide.
V. APPLICATION
Anyone interested in this topic should read about it. I
learned a lot about teenage suicide after reading and writing
about it.
TITLE: Student Opinions About the Women's Rights Movement
STUDENT RESEARCHER: Shannon Floyd
SCHOOL: Mandeville Middle School
Mandeville, Louisiana
TEACHER: John I. Swang, PH.D.
GRADE: 6
I. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS:
I would like to find out what student think about women's
rights. I'm going to compare the girl's opinions to the boy's
opinions. My first hypothesis states that 100% of the girls I
survey will think that women should have the same opportunities
as the men. My second hypothesis states that 50% of the boys
will say that women shouldn't have equal opportunities. My
third hypothesis states that 90% of the girls will think that
women are capable of preforming the same tasks as men. My
fourth hypothesis states that 60% of the boys will think that
the women can't preform the same tasks men can.
II. METHODOLOGY:
First, I wrote my statement of purpose, my review of
literature, and my hypothesis. Then I developed a
questionnaire asking questions about women's rights. I
randomly chose eighteen students to distribute them to. After
one day, I collected my questionnaires and recorded my results.
III. ANALYSIS OF DATA:
After scoring the 15 questionnaires that were returned, 8 from
boys and 7 from girls, I found that a majority of 7 girls and 7
boys thought that women should have the same rights as mem. A
majority of 5 girls thought that women were capable of equally
preforming the same tasks as men. A majority of 6 boys thought
that women couldn't preform equal tasks as well as men. A
majority of 4 girls thought that women are discriminated
against and a majority of 7 boys thought that women aren't. A
majority of 5 girls and 6 boys thought that women should be
drafted. A majority of 7 girls thought that a woman's ideal
place would not be cooking and cleaning in the home and a
majority of 5 boys said that it would. A majority of 4 girls
thought that their mothers supported the women's rights
movement and half of the boys moms did. Half of the girls
fathers supported the women's rights movement and half of the
boys fathers supported the women's rights movement. A majority
of 6 girls and 5 boys thought that women should be able to
fight in combat. A majority of 5 girls and 7 boys thought that
women were over-reacting to this situation.
IV. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:
I accepted my first hypothesis which states that 100% of the
girls I survey will think that women should have the same
opportunities as men. I rejected my second hypothesis which
stated that 50% of the boys will think that women should have
the same opportunities as men because 87% of the boys thought
that they should. I also rejected my third hypothesis which
stated that 90% of the girls would think that women are capable
of equally preforming the same tasks as men, because only 70%
of them did. Finally, I rejected my fourth hypothesis which
stated that 60% of the boys would think that women can't
preform tasks equal as men because 75% of them thought that
women can't.
V. APPLICATION:
I can apply my research to the world by telling teachers that
they need to teach the importance of equality between sexes.
© 1996 John I. Swang, Ph.D.