THE CHOCOLATE STUDY

By Melissa Hacker
 THE PROBLEM
Nursing School is very stressful
Learning to juggle your life while in nursing school just adds
to the stress.
It is important to learn how to deal with the stress while in
school.
Eating chocolate is one way to reduce stress for many
people.
Identifying which type of chocolate is preferred will help
when nursing students stress eat to experience reduced
stress.
 THE PURPOSE
To identify the difference in taste of different chocolates.
To identify the students preference between chocolate A (Hersheys)
and chocolate B (Dove).
This study may help researchers choose which chocolate to
recommend to students to eat when stressed.
 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
Quantitative Question:
Among RN-BS nursing students which chocolate is
preferred: Chocolate A or Chocolate B?

Qualitative Question:
What is the lived experience among RN-BS students of
Chocolate A and Chocolate B?
 FRAMEWORK
Salyes General Adaptation Syndrome: Stress Theory
 VARIABLES
Quantitative Method
Independent Variable two different types of chocolate
Chocolate A (Herseys) and Chocolate B (Dove)
The dependent variable - the perceptions measured on
a likert scale questionnaire.
Qualitative Method
The variables of interest in the qualitative method of study
include the perceptions of the participants who
experience Chocolate A and Chocolate B.
INFORMED
CONSENT
 QUANTITATIVE QUESTIONNAIRE

Demographic Data
What is your age in years? 28 yrs old
What is your gender? Female
Are you allergic to chocolate that does not
contain nuts? No
 QUANTITATIVE QUESTIONNAIRE
I am hungry Neutral
I am concerned about cholesterol consumption and avoid
cholesterol in foods and desserts Disagree
I avoid unhealthy foods - Disagree
I love chocolate - Neutral
I hate chocolate - Disagree
I love Hersheys brand chocolate - Neutral
I love Dove brand chocolate - Agree
 QUANTITATIVE QUESTIONNAIRE
(TESTING PHASE)

Chocolate A (Hersheys)
Texture - 3
Moistness - 3
Flavor 4
Appearance 3
Overall Rating of Chocolate 3 (I could eat it or walk
away from it)
 QUANTITATIVE QUESTIONNAIRE
Chocolate B (Dove)
Texture - 5
Moistness - 4
Flavor 5
Appearance 4
Overall Rating of Chocolate 5 I could eat this
chocolate daily
 QUALITATIVE ASSESSMENT

Chocolate A (Hersheys)
The experience of eating chocolate A was neutral for me. I
didnt get any real joy from eating it but I also wasnt
disappointed. I would eat it if I had it, but I wouldnt go out
of my way to get it. I wouldnt choose this chocolate to eat
during stressful times.
 QUALITATIVE ASSESSMENT

Chocolate B (Dove)
The experience of eating chocolate B was pleasurable to
me. I think chocolate B has a taste that stands out more
than other chocolates. It is also more smooth. I think shape
and appearance are more appealing. I would go out of my
way to buy this one if I was stressed and wanted chocolate.
Thanks for reading!