The National Student Research Center

E-Journal of Student Research: Social Studies

Volume 5, Number 1, November, 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. A Student Survey About The 1996 Presidential Election In The United States Of America
2. A Survey of Students' Knowledge About Global Warming
3. A Survey On What Students Know and Feel About Natural Disasters
4. Student Knowledge and Opinions About Drug Abuse

TITLE:  A Student Survey About The 1996 Presidential Election
        In The United States Of America

STUDENT RESEARCHER:  Kristen Heiman, Hannah Johnson, and Sarah
                     Blount
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 research project on the upcoming 
presidential election in the fall.  Our hypothesis states that 
the majority of the students responding to our questionnaire 
would vote for Bob Dole if they could.

II.  METHODOLOGY:

First, we wrote our statement of purpose and our review of 
literature on the candidates, Democrats, Republicans, electoral 
college, and electoral votes.  Then we developed our hypothesis 
and questionnaire.  Next, we took a random sample population 
and sent out our questionnaire to thirteen sixth grade students 
at Mandeville Middle School.  We also sent them out on the 
Internet. When we got our questionnaires back we scored them 
and analyzed the data.  Then we wrote our summary and 
conclusion.  Last, we applied our information to the world 
outside our classroom.

III.  ANALYSIS OF DATA:

We received 55 responses from students living in New York, 
Texas, Nebraska, Kansas, Alaska, Louisiana, and Italy studying 
in grades six through nine.  A majority of seventy-three 
percent of the students who responded to our questionnaire 
would vote for Bob Dole, twenty-three percent would vote for 
Bill Clinton, and four percent would vote for Ross Perot.  A 
majority of fifty-four percent did not watch the Presidential 
speeches on television.  A majority of eighty-six percent 
believe that it is time for a new President of the United 
States.  A majority of ninety percent knew there is a 
Presidential election every four years.  A majority of sixty-
seven percent knew that Bob Dole belongs to the Republican 
Party.  A majority of eighty-five percent knew that the 
Presidential election is held in November.  A majority of 
fifty-seven percent thought that Ross Perot's idea about 
limiting the number of terms a Senator can serve in the U.S. 
Senate is a good one.  A majority of seventy-one percent knew 
that Bill Clinton wants to put a computer and modem in every 
classroom in America.  A majority of eighty-seven percent 
believe that one of the most important things citizens of the 
United States can do is to vote.  A majority of fifty-two 
percent knew that Harry Browne is the candidate for the 
Libertarian Party.  A majority of fifty-nine percent did not 
feel that there are too many political parties.  A majority of 
ninety-four percent thought that it is a good idea to have 
televised debates between the Presidential candidates.  A 
majority of sixty-one percent knew that the Reform Party 
emphasizes balancing the budget and term limits.  A majority of 
sixty-two percent knew that the Green Party emphasizes 
ecological perspectives in writing governmental legislation.  A 
majority of sixty-nine percent knew that the Libertarian Party 
emphasizes defending peoples rights to engage in any activity 
that is honest and peaceful.  A majority of fifty-two percent 
knew that the Republican Party emphasizes conservative 
governmental ideas.  A majority of fifty-two percent did not 
know that the Democratic Party emphasizes liberal governmental 
ideas.  A majority of sixty-one percent knew that the Natural 
Law Party emphasizes the development of human potential in 
drafting government policies.

IV.  SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:

The majority of the respondents who answered our questionnaire 
would vote for Bob Dole.  Therefore, we accept our hypothesis 
which states that the majority of the respondents would vote 
for Bob Dole.  Also, the majority of the responses to the 
factual questions about the election process were correct.  

V.  APPLICATION:

If Bill Clinton wins the Presidential Campaign, then we would 
know that the voting adults and the students of our country 
think differently about what the President should do and what 
he should be like.  If Bob Dole wins the Presidential Campaign, 
then we would know that the voting adults and non-voting 
students have the same expectations for the President.

If Bob Dole wins, we can predict who would win the Presidential 
Campaign by surveying the students in our country.  If Bob Dole 
does not become President, then we can not predict who will win 
the Presidential Campaign by surveying the students. 



TITLE:  A Survey of Students' Knowledge of Global Warming   

STUDENT RESEARCHER:  Alex Carollo and Jack Hornsby  
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 our research project on global warming.  We 
want to find out what other students know about global warming 
and what students think will happen in the future if we don't 
stop global warming.  Our hypothesis states that a majority of 
the responses to the factual questions on our questionnaire 
about global warming will be answered correctly. 

II.  METHODOLOGY:

First, we wrote our statement of purpose and reviewed the 
literature on the causes and effects of global warming.  Then 
we developed our hypothesis and a methodology to test it.  
Next, we constructed a questionnaire about global warming.  
Then we gave it out to thirteen randomly chosen sixth grade 
students at M.M.S. and we sent it out on the Internet to 
students around the world.  When we got them back we scored 
them, analyzed the data, and wrote our summary and conclusion 
where we rejected or accepted our hypothesis.  Finally, we 
applied our findings to the world. 

III.  ANALYSIS OF DATA:

A total of thirty students from Louisiana, Ohio, and Canada, in 
grades 5-11, responded to our questionnaire.  A majority of 
fifty-four percent knew that natural gas is a fossil fuel.  A 
majority of ninety-six percent knew that global warming is 
often referred to as the Greenhouse Effect.  A majority of 
seventy-seven percent knew that carbon dioxide is a greenhouse 
gas.  A majority of sixty-five percent knew that global warming 
can cause global flooding.  A majority of fifty-four percent 
incorrectly thought that people can't prevent global warming.  
A majority of eighty-one percent incorrectly thought that 
global warming is caused by the depletion of the ozone layer.  
A majority of seventy-eight percent knew that burning fossil 
fuels produces greenhouse gases.  A majority of ninety-two 
percent knew that global temperatures have risen rapidly over 
the past few years.  A majority of seventy-seven percent knew 
that trees help prevent global warming.  Half of the students 
knew that photosynthesis takes carbon dioxide out of the air.  
Half of the students knew that greenhouse gases trap heat in 
the earth's atmosphere.  A majority of sixty-two percent think 
they are doing everything they can to help prevent global 
warming.  A majority of fifty-six percent knew that nuclear 
energy is one solution for global warming.  A majority of 
sixty-five percent knew that the Greenhouse Effect has a major 
effect on the world- wide weather patterns.  A majority of 
eighty percent thought that solar energy is the best solution 
for global warming.  A majority of seventy-three percent knew 
that deforestation increases global warming.  A majority of 
ninety-two percent knew that the greenhouse effect has 
accelerated over the past few years.  A majority of fifty-two 
percent incorrectly thought that solar flares on the sun are 
the cause of global warming.  A majority of sixty-five percent 
thought that there is no real scientific evidence that global 
warming and the Greenhouse Effect are really occurring.

IV.  SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:

A majority of sixty percent of the responses to our factual 
questions were correct.  Therefore, we accept our hypothesis 
which states that a majority of the students would answer most 
of the questions correct.

It should also be noted that a majority of students did not 
know that people can prevent global warming.  They incorrectly 
thought that global warming is caused by the depletion of the 
ozone layer and solar flares.  They incorrectly thought that 
there is no scientific evidence that the Greenhouse Effect is 
really occurring.

V.  APPLICATION:

Because a majority of the students who responded knew about 
global warming, they can use their knowledge to help prevent 
global warming as they grow older.  They can also teach others 
about the dangers of global warming.



TITLE:  A Survey On What Students Know and Feel About Natural
        Disasters 

STUDENT RESEARCHER:  Alex Cheney and Justin Trosclair
SCHOOL:  Mandeville Middle School
         Mandeville, Louisiana
GRADE:  6
TEACHER:  John I. Swang, Ph.D.


I.  STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS:

I would like to do a survey research project on what students 
know about natural disasters and how they effect students' 
lives.  Our hypothesis states that more than half the students 
we survey will have experienced a natural disaster in their 
lives.

II.  METHODOLOGY:

First, we developed our statement of purpose.  Then we wrote 
our review of literature on natural disasters and developed our 
hypothesis.  Next, we created a questionnaire and gave it out 
to thirteen randomly picked sixth grade students at Mandeville 
Middle School and sent it out on the Internet.  Then we scored 
the surveys when returned, analyzed the data, accepted or 
rejected our hypothesis, and wrote our summary, conclusion and 
application.

III.  ANALYSIS OF DATA:

We received thirty-nine responses from students living in 
Texas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, California, New 
York, Canada, and Italy. The students were studying in the 
fifth through twelfth grades.  The natural disasters most 
experienced by the students were earth quakes, blizzards, 
floods, and hurricanes.  A majority of 91% thought all forest 
fires should be immediately extinguished.  A majority of 63% 
did not think that homes should be built on shorelines affected 
by hurricanes.  A majority of 56% thought it was okay to build 
homes on flood plains.  A majority of 73% have been taught what 
precautions to take in the event of a natural disaster.  A 
majority of students knew that most forest fires were caused by 
lightning.  A majority of 58% did not think that people should 
be allowed to build their homes on geological fault lines where 
earth quakes occur.  A majority of 70% do not worry about a 
meteorite striking earth and causing a world wide cataclysm.  A 
majority of 75% thought we should develop a program to destroy 
meteorites threatening earth.  A majority of 72% that their 
communities have a civil defense program to help citizens 
during a natural disaster.  A majority of 64% do worry about 
natural disasters.  A majority of 75% practice safety procedure 
at school in case of a natural disaster.  A majority of 52% 
thought buildings could be built strong enough to survive an 
earth quake.  A majority of 56% have taken precautions to avoid 
natural disasters.  A majority of 80% think that people should 
not build their homes in the vincity of an active volcano.  A 
majority of 71% did not think every one should have a generator 
in case of a power outage caused by a natural disaster.  A 
majority of 71% have not stockpiled food and water in case of a 
natural disaster.

IV.  SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:

All, but two students, have experienced a natural disaster and 
have been taught what precautions to take in the event of a 
natural disaster.  Therefore we accept our hypothesis which 
stated that more than half the students we survey will have 
experienced a natural disaster in their lives.

V.  APPLICATION:

Local governments should spend more money on educational 
programs to teach children how to react in the event of a 
natural disaster.  They should also strengthen their 
communities' civil defense programs. 



TITLE:  Student Knowledge and Opinions About Drug Abuse

STUDENT RESEARCHER:  Brian Ryals and Dominick Bono
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 drug 
abuse.  We want to know what students know and think about drug 
abuse.  Our hypothesis states that the majority of the 
responses to the factual questions on our questionnaire will be 
correct.

II.  METHODOLOGY:  

First, we selected our topic.  Second, we wrote our statement 
of purpose.  Third, we conducted our review of literature about 
drug abuse.  Fourth, we developed our hypothesis.  Next, we 
wrote our methodology and developed our questionnaire.  Then we 
handed out our surveys to thirteen randomly chosen students at 
Mandeville Middle School.  Then we sent out the questionnaire 
on the Internet.  When the questionnaires were returned we 
scored them.  Then we analyzed our data and wrote our summary 
and conclusions.  Finally, we accepted or rejected our 
hypothesis and applied our findings to the world outside the 
classroom.

III.  ANALYSIS OF DATA:  

We received a total of 51 responses to our questionaire.  We 
received 23 responses from Massachusetts, 1 from Nebraska, 3 
from New York, 15 from Louisiana, 1 from Texas, 1 from Kansas, 
5 from Canada, and 2 from Italy.  The majority of 98% of the 
students did not think that the use of legal and illegal drugs 
will solve all their problems.  The majority of 77% knew that 
alcohol is one of the most abused drugs in the world today.  
The majority of 83% knew that nicotine is an addictive drug.  
The majority of 83% knew that caffeine in coffee is an 
addictive substance.  The majority of 75% knew that in the 
1980's, over 14 million people in the United States used 
illegal drugs on a monthly basis.  The majority of 77% knew 
that in the 1980's, the United States Congress passed the Anti-
Drug Abuse Act.  The majority of 89% did not know that in 1993, 
16% of the eight graders in the United States smoked 
cigarettes.  The majority of 96% did not think that marijuana 
should be legalized.  The majority of 69% thought that 
cigarettes should be made illegal.  The majority of 98% thought 
that drug dealers should receive longer jail sentences.  All 
students thought that drug users should be arrested and fined.  
The majority of 90% thought that regular drug searches should 
be conducted in all schools.  The majority of 90% knew 
hallucinogens will make you hallucinate.  The majority of 81% 
knew that marijuana is the most widely used illegal drug.  The 
majority of 73% did not know that 20,000,000 people suffer from 
alcoholism or alcohol related problems in the United States.  
The majority of 62% knew that 800,000,000,000 cigarettes are 
manufactured yearly in the United States.  The majority of 70% 
did not know that only 38% of the people in the United States 
smoke cigarettes.

IV.  SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:  

A majority of 63% of the responses to the factual questions on 
our questionnaire were answered correctly.  Our data indicate 
that students know a good deal about drugs and drug abuse.  
Therefore, we accept our hypothesis which stated that the 
majority of the responses to the factual questions on our 
questionnaire will be correct.

The students also knew about the dangers of alcohol, nicotine, 
and marijuana.  They felt that cigarettes and marijuana should 
be considered illegal drugs.

V.  APPLICATION:  

We can apply our findings to the world outside the classroom by 
telling the government about the things students would like to 
see happen in regards to drugs.  They think that cigarettes 
should be made illegal, regular drug searches should be 
conducted at schools, marijuana should be illegal, drug users 
should be arrested and fined, and drug dealers should receive 
longer jail sentences.

© 1996 John I. Swang, Ph.D.