Participants
The participants in this study included 42 male and 124 female college students from Kean University, New Jersey. The ages of these respondents stretched from 18 to 24, with a mean age of 20.4 years. A majority of the participants were Caucasian (81%) whereas 4.7% and 5.8% accounted for the enrolled Hispanic and the African-American students respectively. Additionally, 29.2% of the participants were freshmen (50), 20.9% were sophomores (22), 17.5% were juniors (30) and 37.4% were seniors (64).
Enrollment of these participants was through a convenience sample from the undergraduate subject pool for those engaged included internet users who also doubled up as psychology students. Each member received credit for participation in this experiment in two forms. First, they received gift coupons for free lunch at the canteen and secondly, each participant earned themselves a total of 12 credits in their course grade, for research participation.
Materials
The materials used predominantly included survey documentation such as interviews and questionnaires, an SCL-90-R, an estimation measure, and a demographics sheet. Literature reviews that encompassed studying books and the Internet also helped build upon knowledge.
Symptoms Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R)
SCL-90-R is a survey instrument that is universally used to elicit respondents to self-report information, as well as evaluate the nine manifestations of psychopathology. The analysts used this tool to report the mood of the participants by posting quizzes, which the students answered while filling the questionnaire. An example question inquired if the respondents had ever endured any form of harassment, and reported it accordingly. The participants replied to “describe your response to each of the following statements” by employing a 5-point Likert scale (0= null; 1= faintly; 2= average; 3= sufficiently; 4= exceedingly). The measurements of the coefficients for Cronbach’s alpha along this scale ranged from 0.77-0.90.
Estimation Measure
This step employed insightful questions, specially designed for use in this survey, in the form of an Internet Experience Questionnaire (IEQ). The IEQ contained both open-ended and multiple-choice questions, for instance, “What incidences in your life do you reckon as stressful?” and “What do you do when you feel stressed?” The initial question sought to establish the independent variables and determine the elements triggering anxiety, pressure, or suicidal feelings among the students. On the other hand, the second query was intent on assessing the dependent variables, such as the participants’ responses to stressful situations.
Demographics
The demographics sheet prompted the respondents to give answers to basic, fundamental questions regarding their age, sex, marital status, and ethnicity. The sheet requested for the students’ years and class levels in college, for example, junior, sophomore, freshman or senior. Additional information required was the participants’ internet usage, educational achievements, the history of their mental health state as well as stress sources.
Manipulation Check
A manipulation check is a vital instrument used to establish if the manipulation of the independent variables has had any effect on the participants. Experimenters employed this test to control the participants’ psychological aspects such as emotions, feelings, or sentiments and ensure productive experimental outcomes. In this particular setting, the researchers applied systematic and logical approaches, intended to keep the subjects’ composure in check and remain cheerful. The respondents listened to slow, relaxing songs, read recreational magazines, and solved fun word puzzles, to eliminate any element of stress whatsoever.
Design
This study employed both the descriptive research design as well as the blinded control group layout, to determine the prevalence of bullying and suicide rates among college students. The anticipated findings were dependent on the conclusions from the issued questionnaires. The independent variable was the anxiety component, whose impact was either positive or negative. On the other hand, the dependent variable was the participants’ responses to these stress elements. All these conditions and interventions were on random assignment onto the respondents.
Procedure
Participants signed up in advance for a time slot of ten minutes using the Sona web-based participant pool- an online survey management setup categorically configured to expedite research events at the University. As a show of their willingness, the study subjects accessed the Sona website and voluntarily logged in to find the administered questionnaires. Once admitted to the site, a dialog box popped up to instruct the respondents to read the detailed consent form thoroughly and render their appeal to undertake the investigation.
The consent form duly informed the participants of the statistics and intelligence the researcher will gain from this study and the manner of data analysis and treatment. The system then issued out the questionnaires upon confirmation of participation approval, which entailed completing demographic and estimation surveys. Outlined below are the instructions the researchers issued at the outset of the task:
The motive of this study is to perform a critical investigation among college students, to reveal the variables that predispose bullying and suicide trends. Before all else, you will be randomly designated to either an intervention or a control group. When you complete the first task, the system will notify you of the functions required. Subsequently, you will answer the demographic questions on this sheet in addition to a rating scale to conclude your assignment. You are free to communicate any concerns that you may have on this project.
On assignment conclusion, the superintendents reminded the respondents to share freely the encounters they had had during the online activity. They also called up to them to maintain the confidentiality at the highest level. Lastly, they presented them with the affirmed gift coupons in appreciation.