Module+4+Conduct+the+Research

=Semester Project Phase 5: Conduct the Research - April 4th at 11:59pm= Due: April 4th at 11:59pm (one week after module 5 is completed)

I took the sections from our last documents and edited it. This maps to 1-3 of //**Technical Details**// (at the bottom of the page). Here's what I've come up with (LG):

The research approach used was the survey method of data collection. The survey was conducted online using a surveying tool called Zoomerang, A paper version was available to individuals without internet access; however all respondents used the online version of the survey. Individual survey results were anonymous, and individual responses remained confidential.
 * Approach/Methodology**

Respondents were informed of the topics to be covered, as well as the time commitment required to complete the survey. Participation in the survey was strictly voluntary and participants were informed they had the option to discontinue involvement if they choose. The survey began with questions to determine demographic information, but respondents were not asked to provide individual identification.

In view of full disclosure, two of our researchers work in fields that promote sustainable living. One works for a global computer hardware and software company that is currently conducting a campaign to convert data centers so that they are more environmentally friendly. Another recently managed a technology conference that focused on green initiatives. Care has been taken to focus on a research question that will not be influenced by either of the researchers’ current position.

As a result of the revision of the research question, a survey was administered to residents in the city of Tallahassee, Florida who considered themselves to live a “green” lifestyle who have access to purchase green cleaning products. Attempts were made to approximate US population for gender, age, and ethnicity.
 * Respondents**

Data collection occurred in two phases. During the first phase, existing research was examined to determine what factors influenced the purchasing decisions of the target population. Once the factors were determined, the second phase, a survey instrument, was constructed. Prospective respondents were contacted via word of mouth and email. Invitations to participate in the survey were sent to least 50 people that met the criteria of the sample population. Twenty-eight respondents replied to the invitation wishing to participate. Of those 28 respondents, 26 completed the survey. The response rate of 52% well exceeded the anticipated rate of 20%.
 * Data Collection Methods**

The survey link was provided to respondents with a reasonable amount of time to complete the survey. The online survey data collection method was chosen to gather the most amount of data in the shortest time possible. Because the data collected was quantitative in nature, there was no need to conduct any personal interviews. The online version of the survey also enforced the confidentiality of the respondents.

The survey tested the strength of each factor by asking respondents to reply to questions using various Likert scales. Respondents were also asked questions regarding where and what type of cleaning products they purchase. The survey also contained census-type questions to see if additional factors such as age, gender, or education influenced purchasing decisions.

A trial of the survey instrument was conducted on a random population to determine if the survey questions produced valid responses. It was anticipated that some difficulty may be experienced because of the lack of a consistent meaning for the term green. Questions were developed in the survey to measure the respondents’ knowledge of popular terms used on green cleaning products. Implementation of the data collection began after the survey modifications were made.

All responses will be organized and collated using resources provided by the Zoomerang platform as well as an Excel spreadsheet.

To refresh your memory (LG):
 * Phase 4 Submission:**




 * Feedback from Phase 4:**

Phase 4 Rating Excellent (10) to Poor (1) Criteria Score Comments Aesthetics & Layout 10 Sections easily identified; very clear layout Spelling & Grammar 10 Well done! Content 10 Excellent Substance 10 Very thorough job! Average Rating 10 GRADE: 50/50 It is clear that you put forth a lot of effort on this project phase, and it shows. You have tightened up your research question and narrowed your respondent – both of which are important. Your methodology and analysis processes are sound. And great job on the writing; your report is professional, logical and virtually error-free. Excellent job, Team 2!

SPP4 Semester Project Phase 4: Plan your Research Based on your prior efforts, you are now ready to make plans on how to carry out your research. Traditionally know as “methods,” this phase of your research project requires you to delineate the specific details about how you are going to carry out your inquery. Be sure to review the section on methods on page 57 of O’Leary’s book. Deliverables—Based on your research questions, create a research plan that includes the following items. Be sure to include your research questions in this phase report. Team and Task Details 1. Team Roles: what are the team roles for conducting your research project. This can be based on that you have already turned in. 2. Schedule of research tasks—create a schedule of the varioius task that need to be carried out for the rest of the semester project. Be sure to assigne team members to these tasks. Technical Details 3. Approach/Methodology—what methods are you going to use in general 4. Respondents—who is your populations and how are you going to sample them 5. Data Collection Methods—what colletion methods are you going to use? For this section, besure to provide a rationale for your choice of methods. 6. Data Analysis Methods—what type of analysis are you going to conduct?

This phase spans modules 4 and 5. In this phase, you will begin by preparing to collect your data. This includes:
 * Defining your population(s)- Consumers in the city of Tallahassee who consider themselves to be green. The initial participants will be defined by the researchers and the snowball sampling method will be used to elicit additional respondents. (SC)

> > Update: I emailed 50 people to ask for participation, BCC'd in mail to protect privacy, and asked them to reply to the message if they will participate. (LG) What do you mean we got shot down on using Facebook? I thought Robyn and Tristan didn't like the idea of using Facebook to sample people from all over the country, but I don't see why we can't use Facebook if you are only inviting people in Tallahassee to participate. (SC)
 * Determining how you will gain access to this group - This is what I'm planning to do and will start this process this week, made a list of people I know that live in the city of Tallahassee (no surrounding towns, limit to Tally) that consider themselves green. I would really like to target people in tallahassee on facebook but we got shot down on that. I will ask people that I know if they have any contacts living in town if they consider themselves green. Email addresses will be collected and entered into an excel spread sheet and the survey link will be provided. Now, as far as the language goes into our report, I'm sure we would have to tweak this, but this is my marketing plan. I feel I can get between 20-30 people to respond. (LG)

Gina mentioned using Facebook and I thought Robyn was totally against it because not everyone has a Facebook account. It's OK though...I sent out 50 invitations, and have received 21 back with an additional subject that knew one of the invitees that wants to participate. I think we'll have at least 30 subjects for the survey. (LG)

Up to 23 now. (8:20 pm 3/12)

Count is 26. (9:30 pm 3/13)
 * Developing your investigative tools.


 * Following these preparations, you will then conduct your data collection.

Be sure to review the section on methods on page 57 of O’Leary’s book.

Deliverables
 * Document your research activities. Explain how you went about doing your research. Be sure to include your research questions in this phase report. Include the following items.

//Team and Task Details (same as last phase)//

 * 1) Team Roles: what are the team roles for conducting your research project. This can be based on what you have already turned in.
 * 2) Schedule of research tasks—create a schedule of the various task that need to be carried out for the rest of the semester project. Be sure to assign team members to these tasks.

//Technical Details—Describe the following//

 * 1) Approach/Methodology—what methods did you use
 * 2) Respondents—who is your populations and how did you sample them
 * 3) Data Collection Methods—what collection methods did you use? For this section, be sure to provide a rationale for your choice of methods [why did you do what you did]
 * 4) Data Analysis Methods—what type of analysis are you going to conduct? [Note this may have changed since the earlier phase deliverable.]

File Name: SPP5T##.doc