Data Collection
A combined purposive and snowball sampling method was used to access small business
employees located in California. The target population was workers who meet the criteria of being at least 18 years of age and employed at a small business (50 employees or less). Participants willing to take the survey were identified using two methods. The first involved identifying business owners, through personal and professional contacts, willing to take part in the study by requesting participation from their individual employees; the owners themselves did not participate in the survey. Additional adult business students working for small businesses were recruited from a specific Californian college campus, after permission was granted by the
college. The study was approved by the institutional review board prior for the data collection.
The survey link was then sent to possible participants. Both business owners and small business
employees recruited on campus were asked to send the link to possible participants; the total
amount of surveys sent out is approximately 156. Of the 130 surveys received, 116 were usable
(fewer than 3 items incomplete).