Reality Dating

Method

A survey/diary was created in order to explore the realm of reality dating. Prior to distributing the survey to participants of the group, the questions were tested on non-study participants in order to determine the kind of responses we would receive. This allowed us to develop clear and concise questions that we felt would yield important information. In addition, this eliminated questions that would return repetitive results.

Study participants were recruited in a communications course at a major urban university that attracts a diverse student body from all over the world. The study participants were offered extra credit for their participation in our study. The participants were required to watch the television show Blind Date on the UPN network for five consecutive days. All participants watched the same episodes. Each participant then had to complete a diary that asked questions about the particular episodes. See Appendix A for a copy of the diary. In order to verify that the participant actually watched the show, some factual questions were asked. At the end of the week, the diary contained some global questions for the participants to complete.

If participants missed an episode, a videotape was offered to them in order to view the missed show(s). The studies were collected in person during the class in which extra credit was offered. If the participants did not return the survey in during class, alternative arrangements were offered.

Of the ten participants who signed up to participate in the study, seven of them completed a minimum of four days of the diary. One participant completed only three days. Two participants failed to return the diary. Students who did not turn in the completed diary were contacted a minimum of three times. The researchers then met to compile the results from the diaries.