Statistical Research

Critique on Statistical Research



Critique on Statistical Research

Article: Aggressive e-mail health threat

Purpose, Nature and Context of the Research

Threatening Emails Impacting Blood Pressure Electronic communication has rapidly become a societal norm with the changing of times and advancement of technology. The ability to quickly and efficiently compose and send emails consisting of thoughts, ideas, or concerns clouding one's head at any given time is priceless given that it coincides with today's fast-paced societal culture(Young et al., 2009, 411-424).

The use of electronic communication has also become the chosen form of contact within the workplace. Unfortunately, not all electronic communication is of a positive nature. Questions of appropriateness regarding the selection of electronic communication (e-mail) for all means of interaction are constantly raised and similarly the effectiveness of disparaging e-mails has remained in suspect.

Sample Size and the Target Population

The experiment in focus within this paper was completed as a means of measuring the level of blood pressure changes among receivers when in receipt of e-mails from interdepartmental staffers or senior level staff members. Two independent variables presented themselves through this experiment as well as an equal number of dependent variables. Along with the independent and dependent variables, the type of sampling employed, the reliability, and validity of the study will be examined within this essay (Ren et al., 2008, 1378-1389).

Independent Variable(s) utilised in the Study

The independent variable is “the variable manipulated by the researcher, thereby causing an effect or change on the dependent variable” (Cooper & Schindler, 2006, p. 711). Within this experiment, two independent variables exist. The first variable is the individual seniority of the e-mail sender (Taylor, Fieldman, & Lahlou, 2005, 58). E-mails rooting from a senior level faculty member were administered to the first half of the participants while the other half received messages from a co-worker or member of the staff holding a position within the same level as each participant.

The second independent variable monitored the varying impacts in regard to the correlation involving the sender and receiver. Amid observation, onlookers studied the impact on participant's individual blood pressure when opening emails from equal-level staffers as opposed to those sent by senior level staff.

Dependent Variable(s) Used in the Study

The dependent variable is “the variable measured, predicted, or otherwise monitored by the researcher; expected to be affected by a manipulation of the independent variable” (Cooper & Schindler, 2006, 708). The two dependent variables presented in this experiment were the average “systolic and diastolic blood pressure during performance of each of the tasks” (Taylor, Fieldman, & Lahlou, 2005, para. 15). Each participant was coupled with an electronic monitor that continuously checked each individual's blood pressure as researchers asked each individual to perform specific tasks (Mussig et al., 2008, 2919-2929).

Types of Analysis

Random sampling was the method in this experiment used to gather participants. “Random assignment a process that uses a randomized sample frame for assigning sample units to test groups in an attempt to ensure that the groups are as comparable as possible with respect to ...