Observations

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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

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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?

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