Example

Summary for IMRAD study (Quantitative Research)

Name:

Class:

Date:

Article: Miller-Ott, A. E., Kelly, L., & Duran, R.L. (2012). The effects of cell phone usage rules
on satisfaction in romantic relationships. Communication Quarterly, 60(1), 17-34. doi:
10.1080/01463373.2012.642263
Introduction

Variables andDefinition of Variables:

Relationship satisfaction refers to a positive feeling toward a partner or relationship (p. 20).

Cell phone rules include

Content rules refer to what can and cannot be talked about via cell phone

Timing rules when one can talk via cell phone

Frequency rules how often one can talk via cell phone

Cell phone satisfaction is conceptualized as a positive feeling toward the ways cell phones are
used in a relationship. (p. 20)

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to understand the importance of cell phone rules in
romantic relationships and whether these rules influence satisfaction in the relationship
and with the use of cell phones.

Hypotheses/Research Questions.

H1: Individuals rate cell phones as an important means of communication in their romantic
relationships.
H2: Satisfaction with cell phone usage is significantly and positively associated with relationship
satisfaction.

RQ1: How do types of cell phone rules (e.g., content rules or timing and frequency boundary
rules) affect cell phone satisfaction?

RQ2: How do types of cell phone rules (e.g., content rules or timing and frequency boundary
rules) affect relationship satisfaction?
Methods

Subjects, sample or participants- 227 undergraduate students from a small, private, Eastern
comprehensive university were recruited from upper and lower division communication courses.
Only students currently involved in a romantic relationship participated.

Measures

Relationship satisfaction was measured by the Relationship Satisfaction Scale (RSS). A 7-item,
5-point Likert scale. For example, “how satisfied are you with your relationship” with responses
ranging from 1 (unsatisfied) to 5 (extremely satisfied).

Cell phone rules was measured by the Cell Phone Rules Scale (CRPS) a Likert-type measure
that assesses cell phone rules. For example, “the extent to which you agree that the statement is
a rule about cell phone usage you have in your current romantic relationship.”

Cell phone satisfaction was measured by the Cell Phone Satisfaction Scale (CPSS)- an 11-item,
5-point Likert-type scale. For an example, “I am happy with the use of cell phones in our
relationship” with responses ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree).

Procedures- Participants were asked to complete a three part survey. Survey 1 measured
demographic information. Survey 2 measured satisfaction with cell phone use. Survey 3
measured cell phone satisfaction and relationship satisfaction.

Results

Supported H1: Individuals rate cell phones as an important means of communication in their
romantic relationships.

Supported H2: Satisfaction with cell phone usage is significantly and positively associated with
relationship satisfaction.

RQ1: How do types of cell phone rules (e.g., content rules or timing and frequency boundary
rules) affect cell phone satisfaction?

-Rules about Relational Issues and Contact with others was related to cell phone satisfaction.
Specifically, the more rules you have about these two variables the more satisfied with cell
phone use.

RQ2: How do types of cell phone rules (e.g., content rules or timing and frequency boundary
rules) affect relationship satisfaction?
Rules about Monitoring Partner Usage, Relational Issues and Repetitive Contact were related to
romantic satisfaction. Specifically, the more rules you have about these three variables the more
satisfied with the romantic relationship.

Discussion

Discussion: Cell phones are an important means of communicating in relationships.

Additionally, cell phone use is positively associated with relational satisfaction. However, there
was only a modest effect of whether cell phone rules affect cell phone satisfaction and
relationship satisfaction.

Limitations of the study: A majority of the participants were women. There may be gender
differences regarding the importance of cell phone use among men and women.

The perception and influence of rules was based on only 1 partner’s perspective. Both partners
should be assessed.

There were problems with the CRPS scale. There were wording problems with the CRPS. The
use of the word “rules” could have affected the results. Participants didn’t want to call their
behaviors “rules”. Also, the scale did not have enough questions.

Future research: Researchers should investigate the content of cell conversations and texts of
romantic relationships.