1
RESEARCH METHODS PROPOSAL
Research Methods Proposal
Kayleigh Cleveland
Dr. Tammy Swenson-Lepper
CMST 380
8 May 2020
2
RESEARCH METHODS PROPOSAL
Definitions
Conceptually, human trafficking will be defined as exploitation of individuals for the pleasure of
someone else against their will. Operationally, human trafficking will be defined as forced sexual
solicitation of individuals against their will for the economic gain of someone else.
Methods
Participants
Winona State University students and professors will be recruited for this study through
various Communication Studies classes as well as individuals from social networks. The
participants will be male and female so that attitudes toward human trafficking can be measured
and compared between genders. The participants would be compensated for their participation
by receiving extra credit from their professor for completing surveys distributed via email. The
participants are all volunteers and they will complete the surveys on their phones or laptops. The
survey issued to participants will be from the pre-test and post-test model. The participants will
read a consent document and read information regarding the assurance that the data will be kept
confidential. In the consent form, participants will also be informed of what their data will be
used for and the purpose of the study.
Materials
At the beginning of this study participants will be asked to acknowledge a consent form
and will then be asked demographic questions such as age, gender, ethnicity, and year at Winona
3
RESEARCH METHODS PROPOSAL
State if applicable. They will then be presented with a series of questions from a myth scale to
test their current attitudes and beliefs toward human trafficking. This myth scale was used in a
study by Katherine C. Cunningham and Lisa DeMarni Cromer in 2016 and it was published in
the 31 volume and 2 issue of the Journal of Interpersonal Violence. These attitudes will be
measured using a Likert scale. After answering these series of questions participants will be
shown 1 of 3 different types of anti-human trafficking advertisements such as an infographic, a
quote, a picture, and a PSA video. After each of these ads are presented to the participants at
random decided by the survey tool Qualtrics, they will be asked to rate their emotional response
and to record initial thoughts. After viewing 1 of the 3 ads, participants will then answer the
myth scale again to monitor if their attitudes changed after being exposed to ads. Participants
will be asked at the end of the study to indicate if the ad they viewed changed their attitude
toward human trafficking or warranted consideration to do so.
Procedures
The participants will use a computer or phone to take the surveys that will be distributed
via email and on social media. The surveys will be made using the online survey site Qualtrics
and the data will be analyzed using the application SPSS. Participants will be given a link to the
survey if they are in any communication studies course at WSU. As participants receive a link to
the survey in their email, they will be instructed clearly on what is expected of their participation.
Analysis
The data will be analyzed using a Spearman’s Rho Correlation Procedure. This is because
the survey is not nominal in nature and will be ran as a correlation. This study will also be
4
RESEARCH METHODS PROPOSAL
looking for a linear relationship and the survey will use a Likert scale to assess the attitudes of
the participants.
Appendix
Q1: Consent form
Q2: Demographic information: age, gender, year at WSU, and race: American Indian or Alaska
Native, Asian, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, White or
Caucasian, multiracial or biracial, Hispanic or Latino
Human Trafficking Myths Scale:
After each question participants will be asked their agreeance from strongly agree to strongly
disagree using a Likert Scale
3. Human trafficking is another term for smuggling.
4. Human trafficking must include elements of physical force, restraint, bondage, and/or
violence.
5. Human trafficking does not happen in the United States.
6. If someone did not want to be trafficked, he or she would leave the situation.
7. U.S. citizens are trafficked in their own country (reverse coded).
8. Human trafficking victims will seek help as soon as they have the opportunity.
9. People from other countries who are trafficked in the United States are always illegal
immigrants.
10. Normal-appearing, well-educated, middle-class people are not trafficked.
5
RESEARCH METHODS PROPOSAL
11. Human trafficking victims will tell authorities they are being trafficked as soon as they
have the opportunity.
12. Human trafficking must involve some form of travel, transportation, or movement across
state or national borders.
13. If persons are trafficked in the United States, they are always from poor, uneducated
communities.
14. If a child solicits sex from an adult in exchange for money, food, shelter, he or she is not
a victim.
15. Only foreigners and illegal immigrants are trafficked.
16. Human trafficking is always controlled by organized crime.
17. A person who is trafficked will always feel negatively toward the person(s) trafficking
him or her.
18. If a person receives any kind of payment for sex, he or she is not being trafficked.
19. Human trafficking only occurs in undeveloped countries.
Q20: Advertisement of infographic
Q21: Advertisement of Quote
Q22: Advertisement of Picture
Q23: Public Service Advertisement
Q24: Based on the advertisements above, which if any, changed your view on human
trafficking? Why?