Sona Reflection

To fulfill one of my RER credits, I decide to participate in a research study on the SONA website. After registering, I found a study I was interested in, which was called “Just a Thought”. Before I began the experiment, the website explained what I was required to do for the study, my confidentiality, my right to consent if I wanted my data used in the study or not, andI was given contact information if I had any questions, along with an Institutional Review Board protocol number. For this study I was asked to complete a series of surveys, which asked about my personal thoughts and emotional experiences. There were thirteen different sets of questions I had to answered, each based on a different topic relating to the study. First, I answered …show more content…
The properties of an ethical and well-executed study consists of approval from the Institutional Review Board, the availability of information on rights given to participants of the study, minimal confounds, representative samples, and a solid research design. After participating in this study, I am confident that the conduction of this study hit all the markers to be considered successful. Although it was an online survey, the study was organized very well and there was not much room for error. When answering questions in a survey, most people feel as though they need to answer it one way or another. Subsequently, the researchers of this study included a “free-response” section. That was a very important piece of this study because the way questions are worded sometimes produces a binary answer. By allowing participants to answer freely on a question, researchers are gaining more insight than they would have gained with just survey …show more content…
I believe this study relates to me in different ways, other than the typical definition. After answering so many questions about myself, my mindset changed quite drastically. The study has made me aware of the enormous amount of pressure I put on myself, especially in stressful situations. Although I was hesitant to accept this realization, I am glad I was able to take something away from this activity. My knowledge of psychology has expanded immensely by participating, and reading the purpose of the study presented at the end of the survey. I now understand how thoughts, emotions, and certain behaviors can affect a persons view of society and themselves. Self-destructive thinking is all too common in our community and I am more aware of this phenomenon now that I have this insight into Personality Psychology. I can apply this new information to myself and acknowledge the way I respond to stressful situations, whether it be positive or