Internet Dating Survey

1.Introduction

Have you ever tried to use internet dating? Do you think males or females use more internet dating? Is it a good way to find a serious relationship? In the U.S. society, many people find new friends, girlfriends, or boyfriends from online because this way is very convenient. In “Online dating service” the author reports, “U.S. residents spent $469.5 million on online dating and personals in 2004, and over $ 500 million in 2005, the second largest segment of ‘paid content’ on the web” (n.d., para.4). This is a big amount of money in the U.S.’s economic system. This indicates that Americans like to meet new friends from online dating more than from other ways. This way is not a suitable way to everyone. From the same research, the author also reports, “Even when member’s profiles are ‘real’ there is still an inherent lack of trust with other members” (n.d., para.15). This shows that internet dating is a harmful way for users.

2. Purpose

Our group; Botian, Johnny, Abdullah, and I decided to examine the relationship between gender and age of Americans who use online dating. We want to find out whether males or females worried about danger from online dating. Moreover, we wanted to know their opinion about internet dating, and whether they think it is a dangerous way to find new friends or not.

3. Hypotheses

We have three hypotheses about this problem. First, we thought old people are more likely to use online dating than young people. Second, we thought females would be worried about safety. Then, females would be more likely to think that a company should check the criminal background of members than males. Finally, older people would be more likely to think that internet dating is a bad way to find a serious relationship than young people.

4. Methods and Procedures

Our group asked thirty people who are of different ages and genders in Carbondale to learn about different ideas. We planned to ask SIU students in order to know the opinion of young people. In addition, we wanted to ask older people, too. We prepared a survey that had 10 questions. These questions asked about gender, age, yes/no, and order questions. It was very easy survey to understand and took a short time to answer.

5. Data and Chart

Connect here http://eap1.blogspot.com/2008/03/internet-dating-survey.html

6. Results

From the research, twenty out of thirty of people (66.7%) never used internet dating. Of these twenty people, six people wanted to try to use internet dating and fourteen people did not. Many people (70%) thought males used more internet dating than females. Respondents thought people who are 26-35 years old used internet dating services more than other ages. People used this way to find a girlfriend and boyfriend because it is interesting. Twenty-five of thirty of people (83.3%) did not believe all profiles on the internet. Almost all(96.7%) of the people thought the company should check the criminal background of its members. Moreover, most people believed that people are looking for smart person. Finally, fourteen of thirty people thought internet dating is a good way to find a serious girlfriend or boyfriend.

7. Conclusion and Discussion

I believed that older people are more likely to use online dating than young people. From the result, most people who used internet dating service are 24-26 years old. I think it is because young people usually use the internet than older people. I also thought females are more likely to think that a company should check the criminal background of its member than males. I was right because I thought females were worried about safety more than males. Some girls thought online dating was dangerous for them. I thought males think internet dating is just for fun. So, they do not care about background. In addition, I thought only older people are more likely to think internet dating is a bad way to find a serious relationship. The result showed that not only older people thought internet dating is a bad way to find a serious relationship, but also young people. I think both old and young people are still worried about all profiles on the internet. Some profiles such as address, career and pictures are not accurate. People who use online dating tried to make very good profiles in order to help them become more interesting.

If I were to do this survey again, I would want to ask a larger number of older people. Because I did this survey at SIU, most respondents are SIU students and they never use online dating services. I think it is because they still have a chance to meet a girlfriend or girlfriend at the university. I would want to ask more people who are over 30 years old. Some people have no opportunity to meet new friends because they work only at their offices. I think these people are the main group of people to use this service. I would get better statistics if I ask them.

8. Reference

Online dating service. (n.d.). Wikipedia. Retrieved on February 27, 2008, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_dating_service

9. Appendix

Copy of survey http://eap1.blogspot.com/2008/03/internet-dating-survey-results.html