PSCH 242 Introduction to Research in Psychology, Spring 2001
Kari L. Nysse

Instructions for Naturalistic Observation Project

You and your partner must work as a team to do a naturalistic observation study that includes the following characteristics:

• Do not intervene in the situation that you are observing.
• Select a naturally-occurring independent variable with two levels (e.g., time of day: morning or afternoon) that you think might lead to a difference in the behavior that you will observe (e.g., amount of studying). You may use gender as a secondary independent variable, but you must use some other naturally occurring independent variable as your primary independent variable.
• Select a naturally occurring, public behavior that you think will be influenced by the independent variable you have chosen. The behavior must occur in a setting that is clearly in the public domain (places such as a cafeteria, library, train/bus station or airport, city sidewalk, etc. are acceptable; restrooms and locker rooms are not acceptable because people assume some degree of privacy in these types of places).
• Develop a prediction (hypothesis) regarding the outcome you expect in your study (e.g., students will study more effectively in the morning than in the afternoon). You may also propose a possible reason for your expected outcome (e.g., students will study more effectively in the morning than in the afternoon because they are more alert in the morning). You are only required to make a prediction. If you do propose a possible reason for your expected outcome, you should include in your study a measure as directly related to the reason as possible

(e.g., you should include a measure of student alertness).

When designing your project you should consider the following issues:

• Reactivity - how will you ensure that your observations are unobtrusive?
• Situation Sampling - where will you make your observations? Although situation sampling may be desirable, you may need to make your observations in only one location.
• Time Sampling - when will you make your observations? You and your partner should try to complete the assignment in no more than four hours of observation. So, it is important that you select observation times so that you can make as many observations as possible.
• Subject Sampling - how will you select the people you will observe? If you are observing in a setting in which there are more people eligible for your study than you can observe at once, how will you decide whom to include?
• Data Reduction - before beginning your observations, decide what kind of dependent variable you are using (e.g., frequency, duration, rating) and ask yourself how you will be able to summarize your results.
• Reliability - before beginning your observations, decide which factors in your study lead you to believe your observations are reliable.

After collecting your observations, consider alternative interpretations of your findings. That is, you are unlikely to pin down the interpretation of your results. It is more important that you can use evidence from your observations to articulate arguments for and against alternative interpretations. Consider issues of both internal and external validity when interpreting your findings.

Requirements for Naturalistic Observation Project Report
The final report is due Friday, February 9, 2001

You and your partner will write one report that answers questions 1-9. Write a concise answer to each question. Everyone will submit individual answers to questions 10 and 11; responses to questions 10 and 11 will be turned in separate from the final report and they will not be graded. You and your partner are expected to work collaboratively to complete the report - you will both receive the same grade for the report. There will be one class period during which you can work together on the report. (But, you'll probably need to get together outside of class, too!)

Partner Questions

• What research question were you trying to answer by doing your observation project?



• What was the operational definition of your naturally occurring independent variable? What operational definition did you use for the dependent variable in your project?



• What specific prediction were you testing in your study? Was there a reason underlying your prediction?



• How did you avoid intervening in the situation you were observing? How did you avoid reactivity?



• What specific procedures did you use for time sampling, situation sampling, and subject sampling? If you observed at only one time or location, indicate that you did so and explain why you made this choice.



• What specific aspects of your study affected the reliability of your observations positively or negatively?



• Briefly summarize the results of your study using the descriptive statistic(s) that is most appropriate for your dependent variable. You don't have to include a figure or table, a sentence or two that includes the appropriate numerical values is sufficient.



• Briefly describe the conclusions you were able to reach based on the evidence you collected (i.e., the results you reported in question 7).



• Describe any characteristics of your study that strengthen or limit its internal or external validity. Explain how these characteristics affect your ability to reach conclusions based on the results of your study.

Individual Questions

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