The Effects of Promise Cards, Sign Posting, Feedback, and Incentives on Littering, Vandalism, and No

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The Effects of Promise Cards, Sign Posting,
Feedback, and Incentives on Littering, Vandalism,
and Noise Pollution in a University Residence Hall
Phillip J. Knight, Donald H. Rohn, John
Austin Western Michigan University ABA 29th
Annual Convention Saturday May 24, 2003
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Rationale

• Resident Assistant (R.A.) for 2 years
• Studying to attain undergraduate degree
• Chose a Residence Hall as the organization
• I had a good understanding of the organization
• I had an understanding of both components of the
  environment The Staff vs. The Residents
• I thought I could make the most impact
• Litter, Vandalism, and Noise

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The Setting..

• University Residence Facility
• 500 students
• Primarily first-year students

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Dependent Variables / Operational Definitions

• Litter a waste material not placed in a waste
  receptacle
• Vandalism a posted sign without university
  approval, destruction of a university approved
  sign, or any marking or defacing of a wall or
  bulletin board
• Noise an outburst louder than an acceptable level

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The Residence Hall Layout
Top-Down View
Building 2
The Lobby
Building 1
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Data Collection

• Residence Hall divided into 40 zones
• 2 buildings, 5 floors each, 4 zones per floor
• Floors Split into 3 groups

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The Independent Variables

• Promise Cards
• Posted Signs
• Monetary Incentive

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Intervention Begins

• Kick-off meetings were held with Group I II the
  evening prior to the beginning of intervention
• A sign explaining the goals of the intervention
  package was used for Group III
• Promise cards were offered to the residents to
  sign

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Further down the rabbit hole.

• Is there more to the data than meets the eye?
• Let us delve a little deeper

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Further Analysis

• Data were variable during both Baseline and
  Intervention Phases
• Possible Explanation Higher occurrences on
  Weekends

• 22 observations Monday thru Thursday
• 15 observations Friday thru Sunday

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Discussion

• The intervention package brought about an effect
• Component Analysis
• Data can be surprising Weekend vs. Weekday
• Building Block
• Any Questions?