Centennial Honors College
Western Illinois University
Undergraduate Research Day 2012
Poster Presentation
McDonough County Community Views Based on Gender
Stephanie Graber
Faculty Mentor: David Rohall
Sociology
In developing a good research study, what type of questions will be asked, what
methods will be used to conduct the study, but most importantly how does language
between the observer and volunteer influence the study. This study will examine data
from the 2009 McDonough County Comprehensive Plan Community Survey to address
the sense of community and quality of life of those individuals. I believe gender will
have an impact on the results due to the fact that men and women naturally have
language differences. Women tend to worry more about community related issues like
a safe children-friendly environment than men. The community satisfaction ratings will
vary based on the individual’s gender. A preliminary test shows both men and women
being satisfied with the neighborhood in a crosstab analysis.