About the Study
Welcome! My name is Kat Geppert, and I'm a PhD candidate in sociology at Cornell University. I'm conducting an interview study about how different people who recently got married thought about and navigated the process of getting married.
How we think about weddings and marriage has changed a lot over the past few decades. Yet, we still know surprisingly little about how people today think about getting married—what they expect, what matters to them and why, and how they make decisions about tying the knot.
That's what I'd love to talk with you about!
Whether you got married in a large celebration surrounded by friends and family, an intimate micro-wedding, a religious ceremony, or simply went down to City Hall with your spouse (or anything in between!), I'd love to hear about your experience.
Participation
How it works
Participating in this study involves a casual, semi-structured conversation with me about your journey of getting married (no matter how you did it!), and your experiences as a newlywed so far.
Time Commitment
The interview typically lasts 60-90 minutes. Following our talk, there is a 2-minute digital survey that captures some basic information about you and your household.
When and where
Interviews are conducted virtually over Zoom at a time that is most convenient for you. This offers you the flexibility to do the interview from any location that is relatively quiet, private, and most comfortable for you.
Sensitive Topics
While the focus is on wedding practices, topics such as family dynamics, finances, or personal values may arise. You are never required to answer any question that makes you uncomfortable.
Voluntary Participation
Your participation is entirely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without any penalty or impact on your relationship with Cornell University.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary purpose of the Wedding Practices Study?
This doctoral research investigates the evolution of contemporary wedding rituals and shifting societal perceptions of marriage. We aim to document how personal identity and cultural changes intersect in modern celebrations through high-level qualitative analysis.
Who is eligible to participate in the study?
We welcome participants who are currently enrolled in or have completed a bachelor's degree or higher, particularly in social sciences like sociology or anthropology. A demonstrated interest in modern ritual or qualitative methodology is ideal.
What is the expected time commitment for participants?
Participation involves two primary parts: a 45-minute semi-structured interview (conducted via Zoom) and a subsequent digital survey via Qualtrics which typically takes about 15-20 minutes to complete.
How is participant confidentiality maintained?
Confidentiality is a cornerstone of our research protocol. All data is anonymized, stored on secure, encrypted servers, and only used for academic purposes. Identities are never disclosed in the final doctoral thesis or any subsequent publications.
How do the Qualtrics survey and interview work together?
The interview allows us to delve into deep, personal narratives and professional perspectives. The Qualtrics survey follows to capture structured, quantitative data that helps us identify broader patterns across all study participants.
Have a question we haven't answered? We welcome thoughtful inquiries from potential participants and academic peers alike.
Get in Touch
Thoughtful Questions are Welcome
If your question wasn't answered above, or if you'd like more clarification on your participation, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Or email directly at kat@weddingpractices.com