Expanding the Database Yet Further

“College sophomores may not be people,” wrote Carl Hovland, quoting Tolman. Yet research done on them continues to be a significant part of all research in Social Science. The status quo is a function of cost and effort.

In 2007, Cindy Kam, proposed using the university staff as a way to move beyond the ‘narrow database.’

There are two other convenient ways of expanding the database yet further: alumni, and local community colleges. Using social networks, universities can tap into interested students, and staff acquaintances.

A common (university-wide) platform to recruit and manage panels of such respondents would not only yield greater quality control and convenience but also cost savings.