Unit 3 DB: Conducting an Observation

PSY341 – Research Methods in the Social Sciences

Unit 3 Assignment Forum: Conducting an Observation

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Points: 100

Overview: For this assignment forum, you will conduct an observation based on the video, “Elevator Experiment”.

Instructions:

• Watch the video and determine what type of observation was conducted. Was it a naturalistic observation, structured observation, participant observation, or a field experiment? Explain your decision.

• Create a checklist and identify four (4) target behaviors that you would want to observe if you were a researcher conducting an observation based on the video. Make sure to operationalize all four (4) of your target behaviors. See sample checklists in Readings and Resources for assistance.

• Rewatch the video and complete your checklist. Post your completed checklist with quantitative frequency markings (tallies or checkmarks) to the discussion board.

• How might you improve the inter-rater reliability of the study? How might you increase the external validity of the observation study? Give at least one example.

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PSY341–Research Methods in the Social Sciences

the due dates listed above. Be sure to read the criteria below by which your work will be evaluated before you write and again after you write.

Evaluation Rubric for Assignment Forum

CRITERIA Deficient Needs

Improvement Proficient Exemplary

0-12 Points 13-19 Points 20-24 Points 25-30 Points Type of observation

Type of observation is not identified. Rationale is not elaborated on.

Type of observation is partially identified. Rationale is vague and missing many details.

Type of observation is correctly identified. Rationale is elaborated but missing some details.

Type of observation is correctly identified. Rationale is well elaborated.

0-26 Points 27-36 Points 38-43 Points 44-50 Points Completed Checklist

Checklist is not complete with any target behaviors included and behaviors are not operationalized.

Checklist is partially complete with only 1 or 2 target behaviors included and those behaviors are correctly operationalized.

Checklist is complete with 2 or 3 target behaviors included and those behaviors are correctly operationalized.

Checklist is complete with 4 or more target behaviors included and behaviors are correctly operationalized.

10 points Reliability and Validity

Explanation of improving inter- rater reliability and external validity is minimal or absent.

Explanation of improving inter- rater reliability and external validity is provided but requires further rationale and detail.

Explanation of improving inter- rater reliability and external validity is mostly elaborated.

Explanation of improving inter- rater reliability and external validity is well elaborated with specific detail.

0 Points 5 Points 8 Points 10 Points Peer Response

No response post was made to a classmate’s post.

Peer response was provided, though minimal and lacking depth by restating or summarizing what was already expressed, details, and new ideas missing or lacking.

Peer response elaborates on classmate’s ideas with further comment but does not raise a question or offer an alternative perspective.

Peer response elaborates on classmate’s ideas with further comment or observation; presents a relevant new idea or viewpoint for consideration; raises a question

CRITERIA Deficient Needs Improvement

Proficient Exemplary

or politely offers an alternative perspective.

0 Points 5 Points 10 Points Posting Due Dates

The assignment and response were not posted by the due dates of the unit.

Either the assignment or the response was not posted by the due

date of the unit.

Both the assignment and response were posted by the due dates of the unit.

PSY341 – Research Methods in the Social Sciences

Unit 3 Assignment Forum: Conducting an Observation

• --

• --

Points: 100

Overview: For this assignment forum, you will conduct an observation based on the video, “Elevator Experiment”.

Instructions:

• Watch the video and determine what type of observation was conducted. Was it a naturalistic observation, structured observation, participant observation, or a field experiment? Explain your decision.

• Create a checklist and identify four (4) target behaviors that you would want to observe if you were a researcher conducting an observation based on the video. Make sure to operationalize all four (4) of your target behaviors. See sample checklists in Readings and Resources for assistance.

• Rewatch the video and complete your checklist. Post your completed checklist with quantitative frequency markings (tallies or checkmarks) to the discussion board.

• How might you improve the inter-rater reliability of the study? How might you increase the external validity of the observation study? Give at least one example.

•

•

•

PSY341–Research Methods in the Social Sciences

the due dates listed above. Be sure to read the criteria below by which your work will be evaluated before you write and again after you write.

Evaluation Rubric for Assignment Forum

CRITERIA Deficient Needs

Improvement Proficient Exemplary

0-12 Points 13-19 Points 20-24 Points 25-30 Points Type of observation

Type of observation is not identified. Rationale is not elaborated on.

Type of observation is partially identified. Rationale is vague and missing many details.

Type of observation is correctly identified. Rationale is elaborated but missing some details.

Type of observation is correctly identified. Rationale is well elaborated.

0-26 Points 27-36 Points 38-43 Points 44-50 Points Completed Checklist

Checklist is not complete with any target behaviors included and behaviors are not operationalized.

Checklist is partially complete with only 1 or 2 target behaviors included and those behaviors are correctly operationalized.

Checklist is complete with 2 or 3 target behaviors included and those behaviors are correctly operationalized.

Checklist is complete with 4 or more target behaviors included and behaviors are correctly operationalized.

10 points Reliability and Validity

Explanation of improving inter- rater reliability and external validity is minimal or absent.

Explanation of improving inter- rater reliability and external validity is provided but requires further rationale and detail.

Explanation of improving inter- rater reliability and external validity is mostly elaborated.

Explanation of improving inter- rater reliability and external validity is well elaborated with specific detail.

0 Points 5 Points 8 Points 10 Points Peer Response

No response post was made to a classmate’s post.

Peer response was provided, though minimal and lacking depth by restating or summarizing what was already expressed, details, and new ideas missing or lacking.

Peer response elaborates on classmate’s ideas with further comment but does not raise a question or offer an alternative perspective.

Peer response elaborates on classmate’s ideas with further comment or observation; presents a relevant new idea or viewpoint for consideration; raises a question

CRITERIA Deficient Needs Improvement

Proficient Exemplary

or politely offers an alternative perspective.

0 Points 5 Points 10 Points Posting Due Dates

The assignment and response were not posted by the due dates of the unit.

Either the assignment or the response was not posted by the due

date of the unit.

Both the assignment and response were posted by the due dates of the unit.