Survey research/Exercise

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Post a link (i.e., http://... etc.) to an example of an openly-available survey-based research study
Briefly summarise its characteristics/key features
Comment on the strengths and weaknesses of the survey-based research method
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Psychology of environmental attitudes: A cross-cultural study of their content and structure

A google search for survey psychology attitudes environment lead to an openly-available PhD study:

Milfont, T. L. (2007). Psychology of environmental attitudes: a cross-cultural study of their content and structure (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from University of Auckland PhD Theses. (http://hdl.handle.net/2292/1712)

This thesis used survey-based research methodologies to measure environmental attitudes (EA) and EA's psychological antecedents and consequences (three main types of correlates were considered: socio-demographic, psychological and environmental behaviour). In addition, the study tested the value/threat–attitude–behaviour causal model.

Three cross-sectional empirical studies involving a total of 2,150 student and general population participants. Group-based paper surveys and online surveys were used.

EA was found to be multidimensional and hierarchically organised. Pro-EA respondents tended to be older, female, members of an environmental organisation, have self-transcendence, biospheric and altruistic values, perform ecological behaviours, feel connected with nature and concerned about threats from environmental problems, and support sustainability principles.

Anti-EA respondents tended to be Judeo-Christian, have higher religiosity and beliefs in the Bible, be economic liberalist, politically conservative, and have traditional and self-enhancement values.

The strongest predictors of EA were altruistic values, perceived environmental threat (both positively), and self-enhancement values (negatively). EA fully mediates the influence of values and threat on ecological behaviour.

The study exhibits many strengths, particularly the large, cross-cultural sample size and the careful development and testing of a multidimensional measure of EA, as well as sophisticated use of correlational analysis techniques.

Limitations include that the the participants consisted mainly of undergraduate psychology students, thus the findings may not be representative of the general population. Another possible limitation was its use of web-based surveys which were advertised through email lists and web and thus might have resulted in a self-selection bias (e.g., resulting in more environmentally-friendly participants). The findings of the present study are also limited because they are based only on survey methodologies and on correlational research (e.g., this study relied on self-report techniques. However, research has shown discrepancies between self-reports and observations of ecological behaviours). - Posted by James Neill, 7th Feb, 2010