Week 7

This week was spent writing the research etude, analyzing the data from the questionnaire that I posted previously, finishing my research proposal paper, and working on the presentation of present.me.  This was a busy week for me as I also moved to a new city and began work at a new school as their new elementary music teacher!

When analyzing the data from the questionnaire that I had previous created, my hypothesis was correct.  I received a completed questionnaire from 39 respondents who I found online through facebook.com.  "Of the 39 participants, 79% were White, 13% were Asian, 5% were Hispanic or Latino, and 3% were Black or African American.  74% of the participants were female, 23% were male, and 3% of the participants did not specify a gender" (Witaszek. p. 3).

I hosted the survey online at surveymonkey.com which enabled the respondents to complete the questionnaire online in about 5 minutes.  I eliminated the question about age since most of the respondents would be in their 20's and because surveymonkey would not allow an 11th question.

I found that many people experienced some stage fright but not many people let it completely hold them back from performing or speaking in front of others. "Many people experience stage fright either when performing on stage (86% of the participants answered with a yes or sometimes when asked about performing, singing, or dancing in front of others) or when speaking in front of others (73% of participants said sometimes or yes when asked about stage fright when speaking in front of others).  However, despite the high percentage of respondents that stated that they sometimes or always experience stage fright, only 25% of the respondents said they tend to seek to avoid performing or speaking in front of people altogether" (Witaszek. p. 7)

I found that pounding of heart, shaking, and sweating of hands and palms were the most common symptoms of stage fright experienced by the respondents.  In addition, listening to music and staring at a point at the far wall were the two most commonly listed coping methods.  

I found that further research should be done in this area.  "Perhaps a study could be conducted in which participants with stage fright are put into treatment groups, each using a different method to cope with stage fright.  Each participant would have to perform or speak in front other others at the beginning and at the end of the trial.  The participants could be instructed to use the method of their treatment group in order to cope with their stage fright and rank their level of anxiety after using the method as opposed the beginning of the trial when they did not use any method at all" (Witaszek. p. 7)