Project Paper

Final Applied Project: Observation Project
Address the following Course Outcomes:
Describe natural phenomena through demonstration of knowledge of naturalistic observation techniques
Formulate questions and make predictions about cause and effect relationships in nature
Apply scientific methods to explore concepts, laws, and theories related to natural phenomena
Demonstrate critical as well as creative/innovative thinking for devising experiments to address hypotheses
State conclusions and interpretations that clearly follow from available data and evidence relevant to a
problem or issue
Synthesize knowledge and information from different sources and interpret the findings to draw informed
conclusions.
Stage 1 (parts 1 and 2) (8%)
Stage 2 (8%)
Stage 3 (Final) Project (9%)
There are many important skills that must be honed to become proficient in every profession. As you might
imagine, in the natural sciences, certain skills are critical to a successful discovery or research process.
These skills are: Observation, prediction, quantitative reasoning, and drawing conclusions based on
evidence.
For your Final Project, you will have the opportunity to develop these important skills over the next seven
weeks and to provide a report that demonstrates your attainment of those skills.
You will develop this report in three stages:
Stage 1:
(1) (50 pts) Think about the phenomenon or process you selected for your Observation Final Project.
Conduct research to learn more about the phenomenon or process. What methods have been used to
study the phenomenon? What did you learn from your research about the phenomenon that can inform
your observation approach and data collection plan? What are the measurable features of the phenomenon
or process as described in published sources that you found? Cite your sources in APA citation format.
(2) (50 pts) For the phenomenon or process you have decided to observe, determine a measurable
phenomenon or process that you can use your senses (such as sight, smell, taste, touch or hearing) to
observe or to collect data . The phenomenon must have at least three distinct features or processes that
are measurable. See example table below on traffic patterns and the example list of measurable
phenomena, processes, or systems.
For this part (2) of Stage 1, you will:
A) describe the phenomenon (10 pts)
B) provide photos of the phenomenon or context. These need to photos you have taken in the context of
the phenomenon you plan to observe. These should not be photos from the internet or other sources. (10
pts)
C) explain 2-3 distinct features or processes of the observation that can be measured (10 pts)
D) indicate at least one of the features or processes that you plan to measure and explain why you
selected that feature or process (10 pts)
E) State a (tentative) hypothesis based on what you plan to measure as stated in Stage 1, part 2D above.
Your hypothesis statement should reflect the results you expect to see and should be based on yourpreliminary observations as well as on your review of relevant literature (as in Stage 1, part (1)), including
course content, web pages, research articles, etc. REMINDER: A hypothesis is a statement. It is not a
question. A hypothesis statement should mention the measurable feature (as in Stage 1, part 2D above)
and what you expect will happen to that measurable feature. (10 pts)
For your Stage 2 Report, you will:
A) Include photos from Stage 1, part 2B. Explain how the photos relate to the data you collected. Describe
how the features in the photos represent the measurements that you made. (10 pts)
B) present a method section that describes the details of how you collected data (15 pts)
C) Explain how the raw (unanalyzed) data and averages (analyzed data) address your hypothesis from
Stage 1 (15 pts)
D) Present/show raw data you collected using your senses and observation skills (20 pts)
E) Provide a summary of the data you collected such as averages (15 pts)
F) Create a visual representation of your results such as a graph, table, or model (15 pts)
G) Ensure content aligns with your Stage 1 content or with the observation/phenomenon agreed upon with
your instructor (10 pts)
Stage 3 (Final):
Your Final Report will include:
A) STAGE 1 (10 pts)
B) STAGE 2 (10 pts)
C) RESULTS (35 pts): Analyze the data (average then plot or provide in a table) and describe the analyzed
data (15 pts). Interpret the data in a thoughtful way that explains what the data shows. (10 pts) What have
you learned about the phenomenon through your own experience with making these observations,
collecting the data, and performing the data analysis? (10 pts)
D) DISCUSSION (35 pts): Explain whether your hypothesis is accepted or rejected and why (10 pts).
Discuss the conclusions you can draw from your observations, analyzed data, and results. (10 pts). What
worked well and what could have been improved in the approach that you took for observing this
phenomenon? (10 pts) What additional questions came to mind as you reflect on the project and the
results? (5 pts)
E) CITATIONS Cite all reference sources at the end of the document. Cite in-text and at the end
(References) in APA format. (10 pts)