Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Over the summer of 2009, I am conducting a research experiment on the effects of unstructured play time on PreK children's behavior. What can I use as a "benchmark" to measure the subject's behavior? What can I use as a control group?
Thank You!

Hi vvoller. Well, it depends on what effect, exactly, you are looking for with the children. "Behavior" is a very broad term that you will probably have to narrow down or more precisely define before you can move forward in your experiment. Are you looking to see whether they are more active / interactive with their peers, are they more / less roudy in the classroom after play time, or some sort of physiological effect you will be measuring? Once you answer this questions, then you can define your benchmark. As far as a control group goes, if you are looking at the effect of unstructured play time, then your control group could be a group that participates in structured play time, which will also have to be defined.

Hope this helps, and good luck!