RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES
There are three main methodologies I use to collect data during my research. These methodologies are not mutually exclusive, meaning that I often use them in combination with one another:
Survey research. The first of these are survey methodologies, which you are likely already familiar with. For instance, when using survey methodologies, I may ask my participants how often they engage in a certain behavior, the extent to which they agree or disagree with a given statement, or whether they have experienced a specific event or a certain type of event in the past.
Hypothetical scenarios. The second methodology I employ is hypothetical scenarios, which I use to determine the likelihood that participants will engage in certain behaviors in the future. To do this, participants are asked to pretend that they are the main character in a story I present to them. This story is written in the second person, meaning it uses the word “you” to describe what is happening (e.g. “you are on a date with a beautiful woman”), and includes a variety of vivid details in an attempt to allow the participant to immerse themselves into the story being told. At the end of the story, and at certain, specific, key points during the story, the story will be paused, so that participants can answer questions about their current thoughts, emotions, use of emotion regulation strategies, and likelihood of engaging in specific behaviors, based on what is currently happening in the story.
Alcohol administration. The last methodology I employ in my research is alcohol administration. During these procedures, participants consume a specific amount of alcohol, with the intention of raising their blood alcohol level (BAL) by a specific amount (usually .08%, which is the legal definition of intoxication, meaning you are too drunk to drive). After raising their BAL to this level, I survey my participants on their current thoughts, attitudes, and anticipated behaviors, ask them to project themselves into a hypothetical scenario in which they have been drinking, or both. After data collection, participants who have received alcohol must remain in the lab until their BAL falls to a safe level (usually .03%) for their own safety, and for the safety of others around them.
