1. Northern New Mexico College
 An Exploratory Study of 60 Respondents Collected Using Mixed Methods, Including Social Media, and Asking “What Makes a Relationship Work or Not?” By
Chastity Sandoval
Northern New Mexico College
Department of BAIS: CJ
Abstract
Data Collection and Methods
Data Analysis and Findings, Cont
Conclusions
My conclusion, the results are: 1. That more females than males took the survey and communication is important to making the relationship work, 2. That more males than females will agree that sex is the most important factor to making the relationship work, which was not the indication. It was mutual in both parties that majority answered the sex was good.
Number of people that took the survey n=60, but three people skipped to answer the gender question 76.67% (N=) were females and 23.33% or N= were males. Table 1 above displays the relationship status for the 60 respondents. Results were bimodal, with 18 who reported they were married, and a similar number (N=18, or 30%) were living together. The smallest percent said they were divorced or separated.
What makes a relationship work or not? Several people had volunteered to take a ten- minute survey. Several of these volunteers that took the survey were asked several questions that were relationship oriented and three interviews done about divorce. Participants included a total of 60 people, 14 males and 46.
Table 2b: The majority of people ages’ that took this survey were as follows:
18 to 24: 33.90%
25 to 34: 28.81%
35 to 44: 16.95%
45 to 54: 10.17%
55 to 64: 8.47%
65 to 74: 1.69%
75 or older: 0
Data Analysis and Findings
Statement of the Problem
Table 1, gives us a perspective of 60 participants on their relationship status. Three of these people skipped this question, so as you can see that the chart is showing us the percentage rates. Widowed having 0%, Separated/Divorced: 6.67%, Dating but not living together:11.67%, Single: 21.67%, Married: 30%, and living together: 30%.
Ethics
The purpose of my study is exploratory. My research interest was to examine the factor of communication as a contributor to making a relationship work. My recent marriage separation made me curious to know what people need in a relationship to be happy. It is important to conduct this type of survey, because we live in a busy society and sometimes we neglect our relationship. Maybe my survey will help people to remember what are the important things to make a relationship work or maybe my survey will help them realize that their relationship is not for them.
Certificate in NIH with Human Subject Protection. All surveys given did not request any personal information to identify an individual. All information is confidential or anonymous. There will be no identifying information that will be released and prior to taking the survey, there was a verbal mention about the survey being confidential.
This table shows how important each of these are to an individual, that they seek in a relationship. As you can see, having a supportive partner was much higher than other answers. The least worries about what was needed in a relationship was, getting along with each other’s family.
Table 1b: This table shows us that 76.6% of the survey takers were female and 23.3% are male.
Theory
My theory was that communication is the main key to making a relationship work. My hypotheses based on this theory include: 1. That more females than males will report that communication is important to making the relationship work, 2. That more males than females will agree that sex is the most important factor to making the relationship work, that having the family like the significant other… that more females will be taking the survey. My null hypothesis is that communication is not a factor predicting relationship success.
Table 3c. Independent variables; Answers to the question, “Read and answer the questions below about your CURRENT or your LAST SERIOUS relationship.” Which measure the concept of the most serious issues to affect martial dissolution
References
Maxfield, Michael. G., Babbie, Earl R. Basic of Research Methods. Third Ed. Wadsworth. John Jay College: NY
Hypotheses
Acknowledgements
About 30% of the survey takers answered that their partner got along with their family and 26.67% answered that their family got along with their partner. These percentages indicated high percent rates within this section of the survey.
My hypotheses based on this theory include: 1. That more females than males will report that communication is important to making the relationship work, 2. That more males than females will agree that sex is the most important factor to making the relationship work, that having the family like the significant other… that more females will be taking the survey. My null hypothesis is that communication is not a factor predicting relationship success. My sample size is n=60.
I would like to thank
Dr. Stephanie Amadeo-Marquez with helping me organize and for teaching me so much about research.
Professor Matt Borst, for allowing me to have his students take my survey.