Statistical Findings
The dependent variable is trust in receiving information from Longwood University through the COVID-19 dashboard. This is asked on a 0 (not at all) to 10 (an extreme amount) scale. The independent variable is class status at Longwood University. Respondents answered “Freshman”, “Sophomore”, “Junior”, “Senior”, “Transfer”, “Other”. The hypothesis is that those who are considered underclassmen, freshman, will have less trust in Longwood University’s ability to relay information to its students.
The mean score for self-rated trust in Longwoods COVID-19 dashboard was 4.94. The standard deviation was 3.03. This means that about 68% of students answered between 1.91 and 7.97. This shows that answers on this variable varied greatly.
Table 1
Percent of Students per Class Status
Class Status Count Percent
Freshman 81 18.75%
Sophomore 86 19.91%
Junior 130 30.09%
Senior 118 21.31%
Transfer 10 2.31%
Other 8 1.85%
Note. N=432
Table 1 shows both the count and percentage for students per their self-reported class status. The majority of respondents are upperclassmen with Juniors and Seniors having the largest responses (30.09% and 21.31%). Only 18.75% of respondents have only been on campus for one semester as freshmen. It is important to note the percent difference per class status. This is due to different class statuses having different experiences and length of time being present on Longwood University’s campus.
Table 2
Trust within the Longwood COVID-19 dashboard by class status
Class Status Means
Freshman 5.70
Sophomore 5.47
Junior 5.29
Senior 3.83
Transfer 3.80
Other 3.71
Note. N=432
Table 2 shows the comparison between respondents’ class status and their trust in the Longwood COVID-19 dashboard. The mean for those who trust most in the COVID-19 dashboard were those who identify as freshman (5.70). The mean for freshman (5.70) is much higher than those who are seniors (3.83). This shows that the original hypothesis was incorrect.
Table 3.
ANOVA of student confidence in COVID-19 dashboard by grade level
Grade Level N Mean F
Underclassmen 167 5.580 5.871 ***
Upperclassmen 248 4.596
Other 8 3.714
Note. p < .05*, p < .01**, p < .001***
Table 3 shows two variables that are being examined in an ANOVA. The two variables being looked at is the confidence in the COVID-19 dashboard as well as the grade level of students. For this ANOVA the data for the dependent variable was recoded into three categories, underclassmen, upperclassmen, and other. These are being examined together due to the initial hypothesis of “those who are considered underclassmen, freshman, will have less trust in Longwood University’s ability to relay information to its students, an online survey was sent out to students at Longwood University.” The results of this ANOVA show that there is a significant difference between the means at the .001 level. This means that the older you are, you will have less trust in the COVID-19 dashboard compared to those who are Freshman.
Table 4.
Chi Square of student level of involvement increasing belonging by grade level
Level of Involvement Grade Level
Underclassmen Upperclassmen Other
Maybe .0709 .1205 .0023
No .0921 .1323 .0070
Unsure .0732 .0780 .0023
Yes .1583 .2505 .0070
Chi Square 2.2e-16
Note. p < .05*, p < .01**, p < .001***, N = 433
Table 4 shows two variables that are being examined in an Chi Square. The two variables being looked at is if the level of belonging caused by student involvement as well as the grade level of students. The results of this Chi Square show that based on the data coded into groups there is no difference between the categories based on student involvement and student satisfaction.
Table 5.
Independent Sample T-test of student confidence in COVID-19 dashboard by grade level
N Mean t df
Underclassmen 167 5.58 3.30** 376.59
Upperclassmen 248 4.59
Note. p < .05*, p < .01**, p < .001***
Table 5 shows two variables that are being examined in an independent sample t-test. The two variables being looked at is the confidence in the COVID-19 dashboard as well as the grade level of students. For this T-test the data for the dependent variable was recoded into two categories, underclassmen and upperclassmen. These are being examined together due to the initial hypothesis of “those who are considered underclassmen, freshman, will have less trust in Longwood University’s ability to relay information to its students, an online survey was sent out to students at Longwood University.” The results of this independent sample t-test show that there is a significant difference between the means at the .01 level. This means that the older you are, you will have less trust in the COVID-19 dashboard compared to those who are Freshman.
The original hypothesis stated that those who are considered underclassmen, freshman, will have less trust in Longwood University’s ability to relay information to its students. Through all of the different data shown throughout this section one can see that this hypothesis is incorrect. What the data shows is that as students spend more time on Longwood’s campus, they have less trust in their ability to relay information through the COVID-19 dashboard.