Observer Effect on UC Davis Bikers Haley Van
Observer Effect on UC Davis Bikers Haley Van Stein Lauren Pedersen Miguel Tiburcio Ariel Tseng Kenzo Mann Demetria Franklin Lead Researcher; Proposal coordinator. Collect observational data, statistical analysis, contribute powerpoint slides for presentation Collect observational data, interpret statistical analysis, contribute powerpoint slides for presentation; present study Collect observational data, interpret statistical analysis, contribute powerpoint slides for presentation; presen t study
Background & Motivation Observations on how often UC Davis bike commuters choose to stop at the corner of Orchard and Atrium way. UC Davis Police Department has made an effort to ensure the traffic laws are followed at this location 2 -3 times per quarter. GOAL: To test the Hawthorne Effect: modification or improvement in decision making as a result of observer presence.
What We Did Independent Variable: Authority Figure/Observer Levels 1. No presence (hidden from cyclist’s view) 2. Student observer w/out clipboard 3. ‘Authority figure’ w/ clipboard Dependent Variable: Whether or not subjects obey traffic laws Number of Subjects: 90
Procedure 1. Set up treatments (hidden, student, clipboard) by the stop sign at the corner of Orchard and Atrium Rd. 2. Record whether or not the first 30 bikers make a complete stop at the stop sign for the selected treatment. 3. Repeat for all treatments. 4. Statistically compare the levels and consider confounds.
Results for Control: Hidden Observers hiding to avoid interference Highest average: “No stop made”
Results for Treatment 1: Student Observer Casual student observers Highest average is still “no stop made” The average number of subjects that attempted to stop increased
Results for Treatment 2: Clipboard Observers with a clipboard Highest Average was still “no stop made” Number of subjects who made full stop increased
Data supported hypothesis (Hawthorne Effect) Discussion Possible confounds Time of day Presence of vehicles/pedestrians Other possible variables to test Familiarity with law Ambiguous stop
Acknowledgements Thank you to… Professor Isham & UC Davis Police Department
Questions?
- Slides: 11