Formal Instructions
•Students will apply appropriate disciplinary methodologies to answer questions and propose solutions to problems within the human and natural worlds.
•This will require you to reflect back on the theoretical frameworks presented in each unit thus far. Choose one theory and create a proposed research study to test the theory (e.g., operant conditioning).
•For this project include the theoretical framework/origins/theory, research question, hypothesis, independent variable, dependent variable, participants, and how your research question will be answered.
•This project is intended to function as the assignment to meet the requirement for LS Objective #3: Problem Solving as discussed in section III.
GOAL: Create your own experiment based on theories we have talked about
throughout the semester. You can draw from and modify existing studies. This
project will require you to do outside research to identify theoretical
frameworks/origins for the development of certain theories.

Breakdown of Instructions(Operant Conditioning Example)
1. ¾-1 page: Discuss and describe the theory/theoretical framework/origins of the
theory. Furthermore, provide a justification/rationale for your experiment. Some
questions that could help prompt this section include:
What is operant conditioning? How did it begin? How is it rooted in
behaviorism? Why is your study important? What can your study teach the field of
psychology?
1. 1 page: Describe your experiment in detail. This should include:
Your research question, hypothesis, independent variable, dependent
variable, participants (including a control group and experimental group as well
as who your participants are), and how your research question will be
answered. Feel free to add information on the setting of your experiment as
well as ethical considerations.DO NOT PROVIDE BULLET POINTS TO ADDRESS THIS SECTION. BE SURE THAT
YOU ARE USING COMPLETE SENTENCES TO DESCRIBE YOUR STUDY.

Operant Conditioning Example
Interested in testing the theory of operant conditioning, which is associated, rooted, and developed from behaviorism.
• You will need to discuss and describe the theory you are testing (operant conditioning) and its theoretical framework/origins (behaviorism) AND come up with a justification for your experiment (i.e., what is operant conditioning, how is it rooted in behaviorism, why is your study important, what can your study teach us?).
Detail your experiment involving operant conditioning
• The remaining necessary components include your research question, hypothesis, independent variable, dependent variable, participants, and how your research question will be answered.

Operant Conditioning Example
Cont. Research Question: This is a question that a research project sets out to answer. Can you teach pigeons to play ping-pong using operant conditioning?
Hypothesis: To test this research question, you then create a hypothesis, which is a falsifiable prediction made by a theory. Yes, they will learn how to play ping-pong. You can be as detailed as you need to be for your study (e.g., Yes, they will learn how to play ping-pong in months). Make sure the rest of your study reflect this.
Independent Variable: This is a variable that is changed or manipulated in an experiment. Operant Conditioning
Dependent Variable: This is the variable being tested and measured. Pigeon’s ability to hit the ball back and forth with their beaks.

Operant Conditioning Example
Cont. Participants: Detail who the participants are and potentially how you plan to get these participants
The Pigeons
Experimental Group: This is the group that is being manipulated/ receiving the independent variable (i.e., operant conditioning).
Control Group: This is the group that is not being manipulated/receiving the independent variable.
To add depth to your study, include where the study will take place, describe how the pigeons will begin this process, what materials do you need for the study, will you have other researchers helping you with this project, ethical considerations. MAIN POINT IS TO DETAIL HOW YOUR RESEARCH QUESTION WILL BE ANSWERED!

Must Haves1. Discussion of your theory/theoretical framework/origins/development
2. Components of an Experiment
Research question, hypothesis, independent variable, dependent variable, participants, and how your research question will be answered.
3. APA Style References & Citations
It is considered plagiarism to directly quote OR paraphrase sentences from your textbook, my PowerPoint, or any other resource without giving credit to that source. You need AT LEAST one resource, but will likely have two (i.e., my PowerPoint, article).
Your paper should have a reference list with the entire citation/resource listed AND should include in-text citations that lets the reader know where you got each sentence from.
4. SEE RUBRIC FOR OTHER MUST HAVES

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