Course Culminating Activity

Social Science Experiment

Introduction

Students will assume the role of an expert in the field of social science (either anthropology, psychology, or sociology) and perform an experiment to answer a question about human behaviour relative to the field of social science.

Expectations

►Students will be able to develop appropriate questions for research and inquiry relating to one or more of the main areas of concern in the social sciences.

►Students will be able to formulate and test a theory explaining specific human behaviour using scientific methodology as it pertains to the social sciences.

►Students will explain the relevance of anthropological, psychological, and sociological thought and how they impact on their daily lives.

Description of Task

1. Key Questions

Students begin the Social Science Experiment by brainstorming key questions and issues they have about human behaviour. Questions should be measurable questions that are easily observable instances of habitual human behaviour. The lesson entitled "Social Science is All Around Us" and the creation of the collage will assist in the formulation of questions relative to the study of the field of social science. Examples of key questions may include:

►How do people react in a crowd?

►Why do people leave a room behind a person using an ATM machine? How much room do they leave?

►How do people act when waiting in a long line-up? How much room is left between a person and the person in front of her?

►Where do people stand in an elevator? Where is their gaze focused?

►Why do people tailgate?

►Do people always hold doors open for the people behind them? Do men hold doors open more frequently for women or other men?

Students should choose one question that they might like to examine more closely in the Social Science Experiment.

2. Hypothesis

After completing the "Scientific Methodology" lesson, students will develop a hypothesis around his/her selected question. Distribute handout entitled, Social Science Experiment.

a) Teacher will conference with each student over the course of the "Experiment" to ensure that the student has a workable, measurable, testable hypothesis relevant to the study of social science.

b) Working with the teacher, students will devise and plan an experiment to test his/her hypothesis. Teacher may decide to assign each student a partner in the class to assist in the planning of the testing of the hypothesis. Although each student will have a different hypothesis to test, assistance may be given in the planning of how to carry out the actual testing of the hypothesis.

3. Observation

Once the teacher has approved both the hypothesis and the testing plan, students will venture out into the community, in pairs, to observe people in situations that will either prove or disprove their hypothesis.

a) Student must observe people in the same social situation on at least three occasions.

An example of student observation might be a student riding in an elevator for 15 minutes at a time on three separate occasions, making note of where people stand and where they focus their gaze. Another example might be of a student sitting near a crowded bus stop or on a chair on a crowded subway platform, making note of how people react someone invades their personal space.

Students should assume an unobtrusive position for their observation. It should be stressed that they are there to observe only--not to interact or interfere with the normal flow of activities.

b) Students must keep a journal throughout the process of devising and implementing their experiment (this is a performance task for assessment by rubric at the end of the unit). The journal must include a student's thoughts, opinions, and further questions, arising out of the conducting of the experiment. The journal is separate from the observation record.

Students are responsible for 4 journal entries (2 each week), although they are required to repeat the experiment a minimum of 3 times over the course of the task.

Journal entries might include comments regarding feelings of awkwardness or being out of place as they conducted their observation. As the student task is one of observation, there should be some discomfort in the conducting of the experiment as their viewpoint must shift from the usual of belonging, or being a part of a crowd, to their role as Social Scientist observing "the other."

4. Conclusion

Students must write-up their experiment following proper methodology as explained in the lesson entitled "Scientific Methodology" (this is a performance task for assessment by rubric at the end of the unit). In his/her written analysis, the student will assume the role of expert in the field of social science and form a conclusion based on his/her research using theories and vocabulary particular to the field of social science.

5. Presentation

Continuing in his/her role as a social scientist, the student will present his/her experiment hypothesis, methodology, observations, and conclusion to the rest of the class in a panel discussion in their roles as experts in the social science field.

a) Breaking into sub-groups representing each discipline, students will assume the role of anthropologists, psychologists, or sociologists on a panel of experts.

b) Students will take part in the presentation as members of the panel, each being allotted 5 minutes to present his/her experiment and findings.

c) Once all students have presented, they will take place--remaining in their roles as social scientist--in an open discussion with the rest of the class. Ten minutes should be allotted for the discussion and question and answer session.

d) All students are required to take place in the panel discussion.

Social Science Experiment

Dear fellow social scientist;

As director of The Department of Social Sciences, University of Toronto, I would like to congratulate you on the acceptance of your research proposal. Working under my direction, you will be completing your research into the behaviour of the human animal, and then serving as an expert in the field in a panel discussion to inform your colleagues of your research.

Having submitted your key question into human behaviour in society, you will be assigned a research partner to assist you in the testing of your hypothesis. In assisting you in your completion of your experiment, I have compiled a list of steps to ensure success in your endeavour.

Step One: Discuss your hypothesis with me to ensure it is workable, measurable, and can be easily tested. Submit this to me on or by ___________________.

Step Two: Find a partner to accompany you as you test your hypothesis. Get your partner's home phone number to confirm your testing dates.

Step Three: Create a testing plan. Submit this to me on or by _____________ for approval.

Step Four: Find an unobtrusive site in which to observe people in testing your hypothesis. Do not interfere with your subjects! Rather, sit quietly where you will not be noticed.

Step Five: Keep meticulous notes on everything you see and hear that may later be applied to your hypothesis. Include dates, times, the weather, number of people you are observing, and anything else you think may be relevant. It is always easier to take away data than to add it at a later date.

Step Six: Keep a journal of your quest. You must have a minimum of 4 entries in your journal. Write down anything you are thinking and/or feeling, before, during, and after you conduct each test of your experiment. Include any questions that may arise as the result of conducting your research. The first two journal entries are due on ______________. The last two are due on ____________________.

Step Seven: Write-up your experiment as outlined in class. Hand in your written experiment record, as well as your journal on ____________________.

Step Eight: Take part in the panel discussion in which you will serve on a panel of peers in your selected discipline. You will be given 5 minutes to speak, outlining your experiment's hypothesis, observation and method, and conclusion. After all members of the panel have spoken, you will be given the opportunity to take place in a ten-minute question and answer session. As a representative of this university, I expect you to answer at least one question (although please remember that other panelists from other universities must have their say as well).

I trust we have made the correct decision in selecting you to serve as a member of this panel. Please feel free to conference with me at any time during the course of your experiment. I am most eager to provide you with any assistance as necessary.

Good-luck in conducting your experiment.

Yours truly,

P.S. Anthropologist