CLASS EXPERIMENT
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Close your eyes and imagine that insects are crawling on you skin
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Close your eyes and imagine the insects are present. (not touching you)
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Speculate as to the reason why we did this experiment.
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What role did the student observers play in this experiment?
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OBSERVATIONS
(PAGE 24 PORTFOLIO)
Time Sampling
A technique in which the observer defines several target behaviors, divides the observation period into short intervals, and then alternates from observing to recording every other interval.
Event Sampling
The observer defines a target behavior and records every instance of that behavior as it occurs throughout the observation period.
Narrative Recording
A running description of behavior in which everything that is said or done during the observation period is recorded.
Time Sampling
I will play the video one minute at a time.
After a minute I will pause the video and you will write down your observation in the chart.
I will repeat this process for the duration of the 10 minute video.
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Minute Jumping Running Grooming
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Feeding Display Aggression
Submiss
-ion
Operational Definitions
Jumping - a form of locomotion or movement in which an organism propels itself through the air.
Running - traveling on foot at a fast pace.
Grooming - to clean and maintain the appearance.
Display – puffs up chest, makes body seem bigger, in effort to show off.
Aggression – hitting, pushing, fighting (not playing)
Submission – running from or obviously avoiding contact with another individual.
Post Observation
Individually tally the number of intervals in which each behavior occurred. Then, answer the following questions:
Which behavior occurred most often?
Which behavior occurred least often?
Are there any behaviors that seem to always, or almost always, occurring during the same intervals?
Post Observation
Pair up with another student and compare your answers to the preceding questions.
Did you disagree on any of the previous questions? If so, which one(s)? Why did you disagree?
Final Question
What are the strengths and weaknesses of observations as a method of research.
If you could change anything about the previous observation, what would it be?