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PSYC 2301 - Observation Project Form Overview of Key Terms: In order to complete the project, you should be familiar with the following terms: Statement of the Problem: Explain the problem behavior

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PSYC 2301 - Observation Project Form
Overview of Key Terms:
In order to complete the project, you should be familiar with the following terms:
Statement of the Problem: Explain the problem behavior. Convince the reader it needs to be
observed very closely before one could decide how to change the behavior.
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.
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 McDonald’s 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.
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.
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.
Projects earning a grade of A usually include a graph or chart at this point.
Discussion This is a summary of the results in simpler, more practice language. The numbers
are converted to statements of meaning and application.

Statement of the
Problem

Someone keeps putting dishes in the sink and not the dish washer.

Theory

Don’t want to put in the extra work

Hypothesis

They will put dishes in dish washer. ( there are 5 people in my
household)

Procedure

Leave dish in the sink until they wash them

Reduce by 1 set of meal dishes for all 5 people

Results

Discussion

The first week 5/5 people put dishes in dish washer for 2/3 meals
Week 2: 3/5 people put dishes in dish washer for 2/3 meals
Week 3: 1/5 people for 2/3 meals
Week 4: 1/5 people for 1/3 meals