Testing a Theory

Assignment: Testing a Theory

• Write at least 300 words describing a time when you had to test a theory. This theory may be something you have tested at work, school, or even at home.

• Answer the following questions in your summary:

• What type of informal research method did you use?

• How was your research method similar to research methods used by psychologists?

• If given another opportunity, what would you have done differently?

• Submit your answers as a Microsoft® Word attachment to the Assignments link by Week One Day 7.

The theory that I had to test was with my dogs getting out of my yard. My theory concerning the dogs was that they were digging out of the yard. The first step however, was to rule out the other possibilities, such as leaving the gate open, having them jump the fence, or having them go through a lose board in the fence. The informal research that I did was to observe the dogs when they thought I wasn't looking to find out how they were getting out. This is how I ruled out every other option. In order to stop the dogs I tested different methods such as putting brick in their way, stopping them every time I saw them digging, and eventually using chicken wire. All of these methods failed in one way or another; the bricks were easy to move, the chicken wire was easy to break, and my dogs determination out lasted me watching them to stop them from digging. The last method I tested was to use a stronger gauge wire called rabbit wire. It provided the strength to not be torn apart, while giving the flexibility that I needed to mold it around the fence posts.

The informal research method I used was similar to the naturalistic observation and experimental research that psychologists