Initial Problem
Statement of the Problem: Explain the problem behavior. Convince the reader this behavior needs to be studied. Give examples from life. Remember, do not use personal pronouns (I, me, my). If you would like an A or B on your project add information from professional, scholarly research and site your reference using APA style documentation. In order to locate professional, scholarly research go to the CTC library online database, type in your topic, and click peer reviewed.
Theory: This is a prediction. What do you expect to observe? The theory is a general statement. For example, most males or females do not wash their hands after using the restroom. Most people will not pick up after themselves after eating in a public place. Or – Adults tend to avert their gaze when meeting another adult while walking in a public place.
Hypothesis: The hypothesis must be written in such a way as to test the theory. A theory is like an umbrella covering behaviors with the presumption that they are related. A good hypothesis rains on the umbrella to see if there are any holes. For example, between the hours of 11:00 and 1:00 on Monday and Wednesday at McDonalds most patrons (or males, females, adolescents) will not place their napkins, cups, plates, and eating utensils in the trash and return their tray to the rack. Or – Adults walking from building 208 to the library on the CTC campus will fail to make eye contact with oncoming adults. The hypothesis must include Operational Definitions. In the last example, the researcher must define eye contact and adult in a clear enough manner that the reader would also be able to arrive at the same count when attempting to replicate the study
Procedure: This is a description of the step-by-step process used during the observation. Where did the observer sit? Was the observer visible to the subject being observed? How was data collected? The description needs to be written in sufficient detail that someone else could attempt to replicate (repeat) the procedure to determine if the same results could be obtained.For example: The research walked from building 208 to the library and back twenty times between the hours of 11:30 and 12:30 on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday fro two consecutive weeks beginning September 15. A stop watch was used to record the length of eye contact. the examiner maintained expressionless eye contact with each oncoming adult until the subjects gaze was averted or the subject passed beyond the extent of vision. If a subject maintained eye contact, smiled and spoke a comparable response was given by the researcher. Responses were recorded on a clip board chart carried by the examiner. NOTE: Personal pronouns and contractions are to be avoided. Do not state “I observed or I believe.” Refer to yourself in the third person. ” The researcher observed.” “It was observed.”
Results: The results are given in the form of numbers. This is the count. It is often presented in complex statistical terms. A numerical count and percentages will be sufficient for our purposes. An A or B level paper will add a graph or chart with well defined axses.
Discussion: The researcher takes the numbers reported in the results and explains the relationship of the findings to the original theory and hypothesis. There is also an attempt to explain what the results may indicate concerning human behavior. The numbers are converted to statements of meaning and application. Include a discussion of strengths and weaknesses of the research. Example: During the observation of eye contact while walking across campus a hail storm suddenly interrupted the study.
II. Change of Behavior
Statement of the Problem: In this section refer back to your own research. Example: Previous research has demonstrated that over 50% of males and 40% of females do not wash their hands after using the restroom. The possibility for spreading bacteria is significant. Or – I was found that only 10% of adults walking from building 208 to the library made eye contact for 10 seconds or more. It is, therefore, assume that eye contact is a deficit area.
Theory: This is the new prediction. Example: People you believe they are being observed will be more likely to wash their hands after using the restroom. Or- Adults walking from building 208 to the library on the CTC campus will maintain eye contact with on coming adults if the on coming adult smiles directly at the subject and present a verbal greeting. A sustained gaze of 5 seconds will qualify as an eye contact. Adults are defined as individual 17 years of age and older.
Hypothesis: Write a statement which predicts and tests the theory. This takes operational definitions. Example: If an observer holding a clip board and recording behaviors is standing next to the sink in the restroom subjects will tend to wash
