Materials

Progress So Far: Launching Data Collection

So far in my research project, I have made significant progress in the data collection stage. I designed and distributed an online survey where participants evaluate computer-rendered images of interior rooms that vary in both color accents and geometric shapes. Participants rate the rooms based on comfort, aesthetic appeal, and overall preference.

At this point, I have collected a large portion of my responses, though the data collection process is still ongoing. My next step will be to finish gathering responses so that I have a strong and reliable sample size for the study.

While responses are still coming in, I have already begun organizing the data and preparing for the analysis stage. Once the collection period is complete, I will use a chi-square statistical test to analyze the results and determine whether certain color–shape combinations are preferred more frequently than others.

Overall, the research has moved successfully from the planning stage into active data collection, which has been an exciting step in the process.

Challenges & Problem-Solving During Data Collection

During the data collection process, I encountered a few unexpected challenges.

One of the biggest issues occurred with Google Forms, which initially did not work exactly as intended. Because the form was not recording responses properly, I had to go back and fix the design of the survey and redistribute it to ensure the data would be accurate.

Another challenge involved gathering enough participants. I had originally planned to send the survey through a group that agreed to help distribute it, but some of those individuals changed their minds at the last minute and were no longer able to share the form. This made it more difficult to reach the number of responses I was hoping for.

To solve this issue, I expanded where I shared the survey and reached out to additional participants. This experience taught me that research often requires adaptability and persistence, especially when working with voluntary survey responses.

Collected Data: Unexpected Trend

Although the data collection process is still ongoing, some early patterns have started to appear in the responses that I have received so far.

One noticeable trend is that many participants seem to prefer rooms with blue color accents compared to other color options. Blue is commonly associated with calmness and relaxation, which may explain why it is frequently rated as more comfortable or visually appealing.

Another early observation is that rectangular room shapes appear to receive more positive ratings than some of the other geometric layouts shown in the survey. This could be because rectangular spaces are more familiar to people, as many real-world rooms follow this shape.

Since the survey is still open, these patterns may change as more responses come in. Once all responses have been collected, I will conduct a chi-square statistical analysis to determine whether these trends are statistically significant.

Reflection: What This Stage Has Taught Me

Working on this research project so far has taught me a lot about both design and the research process.

One thing I have learned is how much planning and organization goes into creating a research study. Designing the survey, creating consistent visual examples, and making sure the questions collect useful data all required careful thought.

I have also learned that research rarely goes exactly as planned. Issues like technical glitches or difficulties collecting responses can slow down the process, but they also provide opportunities to improve the study and problem-solve along the way.

Overall, this experience has helped me become more patient and flexible as a researcher. As I continue collecting responses and move toward the analysis stage, I am excited to see whether the patterns I have noticed so far will remain consistent once the full dataset is complete.

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