Three different cohorts of students (N = 35) enrolled in research
methods classes at a small private university in Central Alberta collected
data as a partial fulfillment of course requirement. They were instructed
to contact married couples and provide them with the questionnaires
after consent was obtained. For all variables (except for certain
demographics, spirituality, and marital satisfaction), participants provided
a rating for both themselves and their spouse. The value used in data analysis was the mean of the self-rating and spouse rating. Research suggests that such a procedure may reduce response bias
(e.g., Szinovacz & Egley, 1995).