Study 1

From time to time, communication scholars ask some very basic
questions about the importance of our discipline to the world as a
whole.  As one effort to answer questions about how well or poorly
Americans Communicate, the National Communication Association
commissioned the polling research firm of Roper Starch Worldwide
to conduct a survey of the ways Americans communicate. The survey
of 1001 people was completed by telephone in 1998.  The report is
available elsewhere in this website and from the National
Communication Association.

For purposes of exploring problem statements, take a look at the
questionnaire items from the survey.  Each one represents a variable
of potential interest.
   
    Then,

Here is the questonnaire:

Sex of respondent:   Male 48%    Female 52%

How comfortable do you feel communicating with people in general?
     very comfortable  somewhat comfortable  not too comfortable  not at all comfortable

How effective do you feel you are when communicating with people
in general?
    very effective   somewhat effective   not too effective    not at all effective

People may feel more comfortable communicating with some people in
their lives, and less comfortable with others. For each of the different people,
how comfortable do you feel communicating with that person or persons.  If
there are any you never talk to, or that don’t apply to you, just say so.

Now, we would like to know how effective you feel you are when
communicating with each of those people:

For each type of communication, please tell me if you feel very
comfortable, somewhat comfortable, not too comfortable, or not at
all comfortable communicating in that way. 

How well do you feel you were prepared in school to communicate
effectively with others by each of the following means?

In your opinion, how well prepared are most young people finishing
school today to communicate effectively with others through each of
those same meansl?

If you have a job, please answer the next two statements. For each
statement, please tell whether you strongly agree, somewhat agree,
somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree.

For each of these different situations, please indicate how comfortable
you generally feel in that situation.  If any of these situations never
applies to you, please tell us.

Based on your own experiences, or on what you have observed, which
of the following do you think are very frequently causes, frequently
causes, occasionally causes or rarely causes for a marriage or
relationship to end?

For all items rated "Very frequently causes" which did you
consider to the the single most frequent cause (If none
were rated "very frequently", skip this item)?

How comfortable do you feel talking to your children about the
following subjects (If you have no children, skip these items)?

How effective do you feel you in maintaining close relationships with other people?
    very effective   somewhat effective   not too effective    not at all effective

Are you regularly employed, either full-time or part-time? 4/31

1. Full-time____

2. Part-time_____

3. Not employed____ (Go to "Demographic Questions")

4. Refused_____ (Go to "Demographic Questions")

How successful do you feel that you are in your job or career?
    very successful     somewhat successful    not too successful      not at all successful

Demographic Questions

Please tell me the year in which you were born. ________

IF REFUSED BUT RESPONDENT CLEARLY OVER 18, CODED AS 0.

Age groups

18-24

24-34

35-44

45-54

55-64

65+

What was the last level of education you have completed?

1. Less than high school graduate___

2. High school graduate___

3. Technical or vocational school___

4. Some college or 2 year college degree___

5. 4 year college graduate___

6. A Master’s degree or the equivalent (MBA, Law degree)___

7. A Ph.D. or the equivalent___

8. DK/ refused___

Do you have any children of your own at home who are (READ ALL/ MARK EACH THAT APPLIES)…

1. Under 6 years of age___

2. Ages 6 to 12___

3. Ages 13 to 18___

4. None___

5. Refused___

Are you married, single, divorced, or what?

1. Married___

2. Single___

3. Divorced/ Separated___

4. Widowed___

5. Don’t know/Refused___

Do you consider yourself to be of Hispanic or Latin American origin?

1. Yes___

2. No___

3. Don’t know/Refused___

And what is your race?

1. White/Caucasian___

2. Black/African American___

3. Asian/ Pacific Islander___

4. Other___

5. DK___

6. Refused___

How many telephone numbers are there in this household where you can be reached?
Please do not include lines that are used ONLY for a computer or modem, or those that are used ONLY by some other household member.

1. One line___

2. Two lines___

3. Three lines___

4. Four lines___

5. Five lines___

6. More than 5 lines___

7. Refused___

8. Don’t know___

Which category best describes the combined annual income of all members of this household, including wages or salary, pensions, interest or dividends, and all other sources?

1. Under $20,000___

2. Between $20,000 and $29,999___

3. Between $30,000 and $39, 999___

4. Between $40,000 and $49, 999___

5. $50,000 to $74,999___

6. $75,000 to $99,999___

7. $100,000 or over___

8. DK___

9. Refused___

Geographic Region:   

1. Northeast___

2. Midwest___

3. South___

4. West___