Theory-to-Application Project

You will work in teams to engage in a research exercise, which will consist of a naturalistic
observation that you must analyze and synthesize as a team.

Project Overview: Your team Application-theory project will connect course concepts to real-
world observations of adolescents in natural settings. You and your team members will use the
theoretical frameworks discussed in your readings to observe an adolescent, a group of
adolescents, or adolescents with their families in a natural setting (e.g., the park). Then, your
team will analyze all observations using theory-driven concepts. Your team will also share your
research findings with the class.

Project Objectives:
Teams will work together to:
Evaluate a topic related to adolescence by linking theory to real world observations;
Understand the importance of observational research in understanding aspects of adolescent
development

Steps to Take
Teams will do the following:
1) Develop a research question and hypothesis individually. Your question and hypothesis
should be based on a topic of interest (e.g., adolescent male behavior). Team members will
then introduce themselves in the Group Discussion forum, located in Unit 3, to share their
individual question and hypothesis with each other. The team will decide on one question
and hypothesis in which to focus the team’s activities.
2) As a team, you will develop a theoretical framework in which to focus your observations.
Teams can do this by linking together aspects of different theories they have read about or
perhaps you like the work of one theorist such as, Bronfenbrenner or Piaget. It is crucial that
your research question and hypothesis are grounded in theory!
3) As a team, you will select an instructor-approved setting in which to observe an adolescent, a
group of adolescents, or adolescents with their families. Depending on the context (family,
peers, academic), teams may select a public setting (e.g., public park, playground, toy store,
game room), a setting for which you have permission to enter (classroom or child care
center), or a familiar setting with adolescents you personally know (home or work). Although
all members of the team will conduct thier observations in the same setting, each member
will conduct the observation individually. For instance, team members might ALL want to
observe adolescents at the movie theatre before a show so each team member will do the
observation at a local movie theater. One group member can simply email me the group’s
research question, hypothesis, theoretical framework, and observational setting to the
instructor for approval.
4) Each team member will conduct an observation in the selected natural setting and take
annotated notes. Your observations should take place for the same length of time in the same
setting wherever you live, if possible (e.g., 2 hours in the park; 2 hours at the movie theatre
on a Saturday night). Please review the literature on annotated notes for observational
purposes. Include all notes from the team in your appendix.
5) As a team you will collaborate as you compare your research findings and compose your
paper. Your team paper should not exceed 11 typed pages (standard conventions – Times
 New Roman, 12-point font, 1 inch margins, using APA format). The cover page and
reference page count as additional pages. Your team paper must follow the following
format:

a) Introduction/ Review of the Literature (1.5-2pgs): Use empirical articles and book
chapters to introduce and discuss your topic. Example: Vygotsky emphasized the
importance of guided inquiry, which encourages collaboration with others in order to
construct shared meanings… Discuss your topic by relying on research articles, and
research and observation. (Must use citations!) At the end of your review, state the
purpose of your paper, your research question(s), and hypothesis (or hypotheses).
Example: The purpose of this paper is to…

b) General Site Observation (1-1.5pg): Describe the setting(s) in which you conducted
your observations (e.g., duration of observations; number of adolescents/families;
adolescent/family characteristics such as perceived age, nationality/race, and gender;
major activities occurring; who was involved, etc.). Only include relevant details that
may be related to your paper. This section should be brief; you can save some of the
details for later.

(1) Example: Observations were made in middle schools where we observed students
working together on assignments. We made sure we observed male and female
pairs, the functioning of mixed sex pairs is of interest to the current study.
Students were between the ages of 11 and 13 years and differed in terms of race
and ethnicity. The pairs were as follows: Male Black, Female Latin (or Hispanic;
U.S.); Male White and Female White (Norway); etc.…

c) Narrative (4pgs): Describe what occurred during your observation. What did the
adolescent(s) or families do? Did you interact with the individuals you observed? Note:
Your narratives should be very detailed!

d) Analysis and Conclusion (3pgs):

Analysis. Analyze your observations as a team by utilizing unit readings and videos,
along with 2 or more outside sources.

(1) Example: Wells (2000) discussed that to truly “motivate genuine inquiry, the
question must be taken over and owned by the student” (p. 65). This was
accomplished when students were asked to generate hypotheses about plants…

Pay close attention to the interactions and social dynamics that ensue and connect them with
ideas covered in class. Describe processes that may account for what you have observed. Provide
support for your claims based on information from class readings, articles, and videos. Use your
theoretical framework to guide your discussion and support your claims. Did you observe
something that confirms, supports, or contradicts certain concepts related to your theoretical
framework? How might you pursue researching these questions in depth?
 Conclusion. As a team, briefly discuss the importance of observing children and/or families in
your specific setting (e.g., explain the importance of your observations). Were there any aspects
of the observation that were surprising? Why? How have you benefited from the observation?
What questions did the observation raise for you?

e) Reflection (1pg): Thoughtfully reflect as a team on what you have learned from your
observation and how the collaborative process of working as a team. What worked; what
did not work. Please write all sections of the paper as a team, including the reflection.

f) References: Teams will need to create a reference page. Reference all book chapters and
articles using APA guidelines.

g) Appendix: Teams will need to create an Appendix with ALL raw annotated notes.

Note: To maintain the confidentiality of any children and adolescents who will be the focus of
your discussion, please use pseudonyms (false names) when referring to them in your papers or
when we discuss their interactions in class.

POSSIBLE TOPICS
_____ Parenting (alternative parenting arrangements, parenting styles)
_____ Anti-Social Behavior (aggression, bullying, conflict resolution)
_____ Peers (friendships, cliques, hazing)
_____ Discipline
_____ Children with Disabilities
_____ Schools Effects (school climate, size, motivation issues, extracurricular activities, home
schooling, single-sex schools, private/public)
_____ Gender Equity (academics, sports participation)
_____ Discrimination, Ethnic Identity
_____ Media
_____ Special Education