M2-Psy510 Discussion

Outline a research question and hypothesis that interests you, and describe the key variables. This could be the research question you plan to use for your final project, but it does not have to be. What are the key variables? How could these variables be operationalized? Are there any ethical issues that arise when studying this topic? Also, be sure to label the independent and dependent variables. When responding to your classmates, suggest other ways that the variables in their research question could be operationally defined. (Classemates 1 & 2 Below, needs to be responded to with the above instructions regarding classmates)

To complete this assignment, review the Discussion Rubric PDF document.

Classmate 1-MK

A research question I am interested in is does the use of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) affect a child’s social-emotional development?

My hypotheses are as follows:

H0: PBIS = increase in social-emotional development in school-age children

Ha: PBIS ≠ increase in social-emotional development in school-age children

The key variables of my hypotheses are PBIS (independent variable) and social-emotional development in school-age children (dependent variable).

PBIS can be operationalized as a framework implemented in schools and similar programs to support students’ social, emotional, mental, and behavioral growth (PBIS.org, para. 1). Social-emotional development can be operationalized as learning about one's self, how to interact with one’s emotions, and how to interact with others.

Ideally, this study would observe a school that currently implements PBIS at their school and one that does not currently implement PBIS at their school. I do not see this as being an ethical issue. The second school being observed has chosen not to implement PBIS. However, a confounding variable could be that the second school is using a different framework to support their students that researchers are unaware of.

Center on PBIS (2023). What is PBIS? Positive Behavioral Interventions &      Supports. https://www.pbis.org/pbis/what-is-pbis 

Classmate 2-NP

For my research question, I am going to talk about the effects of excessive electronic device use amongst children and its effects on child interaction and behavior in today's society. I feel like this is important because the children of this generation are nothing compared to the now grown children of the older generation. It is often that we see children glued to devices when having to run errands with parents or simply just waiting on the bus to go to school. Not everything that children watch is educational and it shows within their behavior in public or on social media. For instance, today's children are considered to be lazy and not active because they would rather be locked in their room playing games on their phone, tablet, or computer. Kids today when they go to the park barely know how to be social and talk to other kids because they do not get out of the house very often and all they know is an electronic device.

The key variables in this situation can be measured by the time spent on certain devices, interaction with other children in a public setting, and behavior when that device is taken from them.

They can be operationalized by the type of device, which are, tablets, phones, and computers.

Time spent on devices will be measured by hours per day.

Children ( independent variable)-Age (Toddler to Teenager)

Behavior (dependent variable)- tantrums, ignoring, crying, yelling