Note: Although the information below forms the basis of the procedure you will follow when completing the experiment, you must write the instructions in step-by-step fashion.
First, make a table to record your data. You may create one large table to record data for all subjects or you could create individual tables for each subject. An example of the second option is presented below.
Person One – Male
Left Hand Right Hand Both Hands
Self-Touching
Free Movement
Note: Definitions of the movement categories are provided on the next page.
Next, find someone you can watch for five minutes. This person must be engaged in conversation with someone other than you. The subjects could be in a restaurant, on a bus, in a park, or at a wedding for example. You do not need to know the subject. As the subject speaks, you will record his or her hand movements.
Each time a subject moves his or her hand, you will place a tick-mark in the appropriate cell in the table. Please note that you must differentiate between right-hand movements, left-hand movements, and movements involving both hands at the same time. In some instances, watching a home movie of a family gathering is ideal because you can replay the tape or DVD many times to count movements correctly.
The sample size for the purposes of this exercise is small. You are to collect data on only four males over the age of 12 and four females over the age of 12. However, you may observe more people; this will increase the validity of your results. Researchers like Kimura observe hundreds of people in this type of study.
Practice Project Instructions (p.3)
Defining terms is an important task to complete before you begin your observations. Self-touching, for example, needs to be clearly defined before you can determine which column a tick-mark should be placed. Scratching an arm, twisting a strand of hair, or brushing a twig off a pant leg are all considered self-touching movements. If a subject waves a hand in the air, taps a finger on a table, or points to an object, the tic-mark should go in the free movement cell.
You must also define the manipulated and responding variables and include them in your report. If you require assistance in determining these variables, please contact your teacher.
After you collect your data you must organize it in a summary table and create a graph (or set of graphs) to display the data. In the Analysis and Conclusion section of your report, you will summarize the results. You will confirm or refute your hypothesis. You may wish to comment on right-hand movements compared to left-hand movements. Did one gender motion with one hand more than the other gender?
If the practice experiment was a real experiment, you would conduct background research on the topic. You might learn about which side of the brain controls movement of the right hand and of the left hand.
At the end of the report you are to provide two possible sources of error. A Reference section is not required. For the complete list of the sections of the lab report you will require, please page forward!
Practice Project Instructions (p.4)
The sections of a lab report that you are required to complete are indicated below. If you have any questions as you prepare the report, please contact your teacher.
Title: REQUIRED
Abstract: REQUIRED
Question: REQUIRED
Hypothesis: REQUIRED
Background Information: NOT REQUIRED
Variables: REQUIRED
Materials: REQUIRED
Procedure: REQUIRED
Observations and Data: REQUIRED
Analysis and Conclusion: REQUIRED
Sources of Error: REQUIRED
References: NOT REQUIRED
Rubric – Lab Report
Categories and (Diamond) Descriptors Reprinted (with Authorization) from Corwin Press Inc.
Level
Title/
Introduction
Background Research
Question/Problem/
Hypothesis
Procedures
Data & Results
Conclusions
Language Used
Diamond
(Exceeds learning objectives)
The title states clearly both the manipulated and responding variables and the results of the experiment. The title of the report is written in a clear declarative statement. The lead-in information is concise and develops a clear understanding of the report to follow. A concise abstract of the lab is provided and does not exceed 250 words. Relevant literature and prior observations are cited which provide much insight into the phenomena to be included in the report. The question or problem that the lab was designed to answer is well articulated. The hypothesis is eloquently stated in the “If-and-then” format. It predicts the influence of the manipulated variable on the responding variable. The procedures for controlling and measuring the responding variable are well defined and clear. A detailed, logical step-by-step set of procedures that was used for conducting the lab is listed. Safety concerns are listed among the procedures.
Data tables and graphs are expertly and neatly completed and totally accurate. Patterns or trends in data are noted. Data analysis is thorough. A response to the question/hypothesis is clearly and completely provided and is consistent with the data. Limitations and extrapolations of the data are cited. Questions for further study are developed. Unresolved questions and problems are listed. Language is used correctly and purposefully. All words are spelled correctly. The report is neat, legible, and presentable.
Experimental Psychology 30 –Project (46 Marks)
Type Your Name Here
Title (1 mark)
<Please type your answer in blue.>
Abstract (3 marks)
<Please type your answer in blue.>
Question/Problem (1 mark)
<Please type your answer in blue.>
Hypothesis (2 marks)
<Please type your answer in blue.>
Variables (6 marks)
<Please type your answer in blue.>
Materials (2 marks)
<Please type your answer in blue.>
Procedure (5 + 4 marks)
<Please type your answer in blue…. And don’t forget to include the definitions of movement!>
Observations and Data (15 marks)
<Please type your answer in blue OR submit a separate file containing your tables and graphs. You may also fax or land-mail these items. Please indicate if you are sending this section in a different file or method.>
Analysis and Conclusion (5 marks)
<Please type your answer in blue.>
Sources of Error (2 marks)
<Please type your answer in blue.>
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