Experimental Research Question

I .Potential experimental research question

Can increasing the number of quizzes help students of secondary school X to achieve better performance in English language studies?

The above question can be classified as Experimental Research, as it is a statement of hypothesis on the casual relationship between 2 variables:

1. number of quizzes done by students; and

2. the performance of students in English language studies (as measured by the score in year-end final examination).

II. How could data for the variables be collected?

Step 1: Each grade is treated as an independent population. During the second semester, every two weeks, a fraction (say, 50%) of the students are randomly selected to take part in a quiz on English language studies. Therefore, by the end of the semester, a student may have taken at most 20 tests, or at least, no test at all. Each student represents a data point.

Step 2: Measurement: Assume the score of final examination can measure a student's performance in English language studies.

Step 3: Computation of correlation coefficients: The 2 variables [number ofQuizzes taken, score of final examination] are used to compute the correlation coefficient for each grade. The closer the correlation coefficient to +1, the higher the strength of the relationship between 2 variables.

III. Provide argument how answer to that question can contribute to improvements in some aspect of education/teaching and learning?

If positive correlation (>0.5) is found, school may consider to employ the use of a large number of quizzes to improve the performance of students in English language studies.

Posted by Cherry

Experimental Research:
In an experimental study, the researcher manipulates at least one independent variable, controls other relevant variables, and observes the effect on one or more dependent variables. Experimental studies produce the sound evidence concerning hypothesized cause-effect relationships. (Gay, Mills & Airasian, 2006)

The steps in an experimental study:
1. Select and define a problem.
2. Select participants and measure instruments.
3. Prepare a research plan.
4. Execute procedures.
5. Analyze the data.
6. Formulate conclusion.

The experimental study is guided by at least one hypothesis that states an expected causal relationship between two treatment variables. The experimental group receives a new treatment, but the control group either receives a different treatment or is treated as usual. After the treatment for some period, people will administer the dependent variable and then determines a difference exists between the groups.

1. Potential experimental research question

Topic: The effect of ICT practice on students' academic achievement in Hong Kong primary schools

Independent Variable: The use of ICT in primary school curriculum
Dependent Variable: Academic result of grade six students

The purpose of the study is to examine the effects of ICT practice on overall academic result of primary sixth students. Participants include 1000 students who are randomly assigned to one of two treatments: ICT Curriculum Project and normal classes. Instruction was subsequently given during study. This research is to study whether there is a significant increase in academic results after the ICT project treatments.

Hypotheses:There is a significant increase in academic results after the ICT Project treatments.

In the study, there are two groups of students who get different treatment. The students are randomly assigned to treatment groups.

Group A: ICT Project (ICT curriculum)

The goal of the Primary School ICT project is to improve the educational outcomes for primary students in Hong Kong. To accomplish this goal, we have developed a curriculum for primary school students. The curriculum is based on the most current research about children's learning and activities that promote their skills. With the appointment of the ICT co-ordinator, the school should see a rapid and impressive improvement in the use of ICT.

a) more open-ended ICT activities eg. webquests and thinkquests.
b) ICT activities which encourage collaboration and problem solving.
c) The use of ICT into everyday lessons where appropriate. (using the technology to enhance all curriculum areas.)
d) The ICT curriculum also provides subject-relevant software and exciting web resources to enhance their subjects.

Group B: Normal Class with traditional teaching methods. (Non ICT-curriculum).

The project is conducting an experimental study at five primary schools to evaluate the effects of ICT on student’s learning and the enduring effects in primary grade six students.

2. How could data for the related variables be collected:
To learn about the effects of the ICT, we collect information on student’s academic results and performance at the beginning and end of their term years. We are also collecting information about the quality of the classroom environment, the quality of teacher interactions with children, and the degree to which the teachers used the curriculum activities in their classroom. After the 8 months intervention, we will compare their academic results using data collection from interviews and questionnaires. Results of the interviews and questionnaires will be converted into scores by SPSS and statistical analysis.

3. Provide argument how answer to that question can contribute to improvements in some aspect of education/teaching and learning.
We are testing the efficiency of the ICT curriculum. That is, we are seeing if use of the ICT curriculum improves student's learning and promotes their success in school.

Positive indications of ICT curriculum effects:
The study shows that the use of the ICT curriculum results in improvements in the quality of classroom learning environment. Also, tentative findings indicate that the amount and quality of the teachers' use of the ICT is significantly and positively associated with children's academic performance.

Recommendation:
In order to achieve the widespread uses and integrations of ICT in education that can enhance sustainable innovations, we need adopt a systematic and holistic strategy that addresses not only technological and pedagogical issues, but also the transformations of the holistic school cultures including their curricula, evaluation standards, rules, division of labors, and beliefs.

It is worthwhile to note the following issues that need to be addressed in future development:
1) Promote the development of technology in underdeveloped schools;
2) Systematic planning and continuous investment;
3) Appropriate budgets: investment of the ICT hardware, equipment, software, installation, cabling, Internet access and technical support.
4) Distributing facilities properly: Allocate computers in special computer labs. More computers should be scattered into classrooms, learning centers, and offices to facilitate the wide and frequent uses by teachers and students.


Reference:
Gay, L. R., Mills, G. E., & Airasian, P. (2006). Educational Research: Competencies for Analysis and Applications. Upper Saddle River, N.J. : Pearson/Merrill Prentice Hall.

Posted by Ronda

Experimental Research

1. Question

What is the impact of medium of instruction on the performance of students in Biology studies?

The medium of instruction is always argued as an obstacle to the performance students in studies, especially the students upgraded from a Chinese medium instruction (CMI) school to an English medium instruction (EMI) school. The aim of the study is compare the effect of medium of instruction on the performance of students in Biology studies.

The independent variable is the medium of instruction: English and Chinese (Cantonese).

The dependent variable is the performance of students in Biology studies which will be assessed by the scores of the tests and exam in the term.

2. How data for the correlated variables is collected

 Methods

• 80 Form-1 students are randomly selected from a local “Through-Train” school (most of the From-1 students are coming from the same primary school). There are 35 girls and 45 boys. The medium of instruction of participating secondary school is English. All the selected students are coming from the primary schools which are CMI.


• Approval of the study is sought from the principal and the parents have signed a consent letter of participating in the study for their children. The name of the students is kept confidential in the study.


• There are 2 groups, each containing 40 students. One group is taught by English and the other group is taught by Cantonese (Chinese) as medium instruction in Biology studies. All the students are taught by English as medium instruction in other subjects.


• The teaching materials for the 2 groups are the same. Their performance in Biology studies are assessed by 2 interim tests and a final exam. The tests and exam are the same for the 2 groups. The study last for one term in a school year.


• The mean of the scores in the tests and exam of each group will be taken. If the mean of the scores of the group is higher, the performance of the group is higher and the medium of instruction is supposed to contribute to the better performance.

3. Contribution of the Research Question

If the mean of the score of the CMI group is significantly higher than that of the EMI group, CMI is needed to promote to improve the performance of the students in studies. At least, the schools should consider teaching the students in the assistance of Chinese (Cantonese) when the students are upgraded from a CMI school to an EMI school.

Posted by Phoebe Wong

Experimental Research Question

Experimental Research question:

The effect of cooperative learning method in General Studies teaching of primary school.

Background
Cooperative learning method attracts the attention of teachers in these years. It is a process in which students learn by working in small groups, sharing the opinion and helping each other's learning for a common goal, every member knows that he or she can't be successful unless the other members are successful.

Method
The purpose of this study is to determine whether cooperative learning method is more effective than traditional method in General Studies teaching of primary school. It is an experimental research in which pre-test and post-test will be conducted, experiment and control groups will be used. Cooperative Learning method will be applied to the experiment group and Traditional Teaching method will be applied to the control group.

How could data for the related variables be collected
Participants are primary 3 students who are taught by the same teacher. The experiment will last for a semester. Experiment and control groups will be randomly assigned. 3A Class is determined as experiment group and 3B Class as control group.

Students will complete questionnaires before and after the study. The principal mean of gathering data is through surveys administered to all students prior to the study and after completion of it.

Both groups will be told that they are going to be the subjects of an experimental research to examine the effect of cooperative learning methods on General studies achievement as we want to motivate students positively for the research.

How this study can contribute to improvements in some aspect of teaching and learning?
In cooperative learning method, the students are expected to connect with each other and their teachers for learning and teaching, but in traditional teaching method, the connection is less and the teacher is at the centre.

If the study proves that cooperative learning method is more effective than traditional method in General Studies teaching:

1. Conferences and seminars about this method should be introduced to teachers.
2. It also helps bring the variety to the methods and techniques used in the process of teaching and learning.
3. It will be useful for the improvement of the curriculum of General Studies lesson.

Posted by Julie