Method Description
A quasi-experimental research design will be employed. The nature of the treatment variable (gender) cannot be manipulated by the researcher. However, from the nature of the study, we can deduce a naturally occurring control group (adult-sibling pairs with different gender) and a treatment group (adult-sibling pairs with the same gender). Therefore, a non-equivalent posttest cross-sectional design will be used.
A survey method will be implemented by the use of a questionnaire. Data will be collected using a questionnaire because it is time-saving as the data collection will go on concurrently. It is also cheaper than conducting interviews both in terms of human resource and physical resources.
Procedures
The population of interest is all persons below 18 years who have older siblings. The population size cannot be estimated. A sample of 100 respondents will be used which is divided into two equal groups. One group will comprise of adult-sibling combinations of different gender, and another group will comprise of adult-sibling combinations of the same gender. The sample size is informed by financial and time constraints. Non-random sampling will be used to select study participants. Non-random sampling will be appropriate because participants are assigned to specific groups on selection because they will be non-equivalent groups from the start. Those who have older siblings of the same sex will be assigned to the treatment group, and those who have older siblings of the opposite sex will be assigned to the control group. Having more than one older sibling is likely to influence the study findings. To improve internal validity, only respondents with only one older sibling will be selected. To ensure the findings have a high external validity, the participants will be from all ethnic groups and various income groups. Ethnicity and income level are likely to influence the relationship between siblings. A between the group and within group analysis will be applied to assess if they have any influence.
Data will be collected using a questionnaire. The questionnaire will contain closed ended questions. Closed-ended questions will be used to facilitate quantitative analysis. The questionnaire will be sent to the participants by post at once. A raffle draw will be included to encourage participation. The participants will then be required to post back the questionnaire on a pre-filled envelope with stamps. Participation will be voluntary.
Instrumentation
The independent variable will be gender differences between siblings. It is a dummy variable. The dependent variable is the self-disclosure by the younger sibling. A 5-point Likert scale will be used to assess the variable. The questionnaire will include a statement to the effect that “There is complete self-disclosure in our communication”. Respondents will be required to rate the statement to the extent that they agree or disagree with the statement. The respondents’ ethnicity and income group will be recorded as dummy variables.
Descriptive data analysis will be used to analyses the data. Besides, a Chi-square will be used to test the study hypothesis. The hypothesis will be tested at 5 percent significance level.
Limitations
The research design will be quasi-experimental design. Therefore, random assignment and full control of cofounding factors are not possible. There are competing explanations for the extent of self-disclosure between siblings that could not be controlled such family history. The accuracy of the data also depends on the honesty of the respondents.
