Research Methods in Education: Experimental Design and Hypothesis

This assignment analyzes an experimental design used to determine the effectiveness of the inquiry method in improving reasoning skills in primary school children. The solution explains the rationale behind the experimental design, which involves pre- and post-tests on control and experimental groups. It outlines two null hypotheses related to the study, stating that there is no significant difference between the pre and post-test results for both groups. The assignment further discusses two threats to internal validity: testing effects and regression, and how they can impact the study's outcomes. Finally, it emphasizes the necessity of statistical data analysis to reject or accept the null hypothesis, highlighting the use of statistical methods like P-value to interpret the data and draw valid conclusions. The document references relevant educational research literature to support its arguments.

RESEARCH METHODS
IN EDUCATION

Table of Contents
a) Explain why the above is a good experimental design............................................................1
b) State TWO (2) null hypotheses for the study..........................................................................1
c) Discuss TWO (2) threats that may affect the internal validity of the experiment...................2
d) In order to reject the null hypothesis, it is necessary to analyse the data statistically.
Explain.........................................................................................................................................2
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................4

a) Explain why the above is a good experimental design
An experimental design refers to analysing primary data in order to investigate the casual
relationship between two variables. In this the variables are used as measure. Here, some variables are
kept constant while others are been measured as subject of experiment. There are different types of
experimental design which is used according to study (Hartas, 2015). It includes pre, quasi and true
experimental design. In each type there is change in values and relationship which is defined. Moreover,
variables defined are different and then experiment is done. So, it depends on scholar that which type of
design is appropriate for study.
From the above research, the scholar wants to determine effectiveness of inquiry method in
improving reasoning of children. So, by dividing children into two groups it is easy to define relationship.
Moreover, in this study firstly pre test is conducted and then after 4 weeks post test is conducted. Hence,
it analyse results on both control and experimental groups. With this, it will be easy for researcher to
define effectiveness of enquiry method in primary school children. Here, student and primary school are
kept constant and experiment is done on two groups that are defined.
b) State TWO (2) null hypotheses for the study
The null hypothesis states that there is no significant relationship between two variables as P value
is less than 0.05. Besides this, there is no variation between single variable and its mean value. If null
hypothesis is rejected, it means alternative is accepted and vice versa. The two null hypothesis are as
below :-
H0- There is no statistical significant difference in the mean value of pre and post test with regards to
experimental group
H0-: There is no statistical significant difference in the mean value of pre and post test with regards to
control group
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c) Discuss TWO (2) threats that may affect the internal validity of the experiment.
An internal validity refers to how well a study is been conducted by avoiding confounding
independent variables. There are various threats that can occur in internal validity that are regression,
testing, selection, etc. If there is less chance of confounding variables in study, high will be its internal
validity. In context to above study the threats that can occur in internal validity are as follows :-
Testing- Here, the researcher has conducted test on two groups that are control and experimental thus, it
can affect the validity of outcomes. This is because both groups’ outcomes may vary in different tests that
are been conducted. Here, in both groups may act at same time which can result in confusion. Hence,
internal validity may arise in this.
Regression – It is another threat that can occur. This is because the groups selected may differ. It is
because they can be selected on different basis. Also, it is possible that in control group children selected
are different from others. In this mean value of both groups may lead to confusion. Due to this, it may
affect the overall study.
d) In order to reject the null hypothesis, it is necessary to analyse the data statistically. Explain.
Data analysis is a process of obtaining useful information by interpreting data. In a research it is
very essential to analyse data so that relevant and precise outcomes are generated. Furthermore, data is
analysed by two methods that is thematic and statistical (Ledford and Gast, 2018). Generally, in
hypothesis testing statistical method is used as it helps in providing mean value and on basis of that
hypothesis is accepted or rejected.
Usually, hypothesis is developed to define whether there is relationship between independent and
dependent variable or not. Furthermore, analysing data enables in understanding each variable and then
evaluating it. Without analysing data statically it is difficult to reject or accept hypothesis. This is because
static analysis helps in finding out significant value of P through which it becomes easy to conclude.
Through P value we can interpret that whether it is below or above 0.05. So, if it is below 0.05 than null
hypothesis is rejected. Besides this, statistical data gives a specific numeric value which assist in
understanding hypothesis. Furthermore, static data analysis helps in conducting tests through which
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relationship is defined. For example- regression, T- tests, etc, are done and on basis of it hypothesis
testing is done. Alongside it, to obtain mean value of data SPSS tool is used. It helps in interpreting data
in effective and simplified manner.
The main thing in hypothesis testing to develop relevant and specific alternative and null
hypothesis. It helps in giving clarity about various elements. In addition to it, interpreting data in
statistical way is more easy and simple. There are different tests which are applied on data gathered.
Therefore, from the table it can be interpreted and hypothesis is analysed (ten Ham-Baloyi and Jordan,
2016). Without statistical analysis, developing graphs and table it becomes difficult to interpret significant
value and rejecting hypothesis.
In context to present case, there are three types of tests conducted by researcher on two groups. So,
statically data analysis is useful to evaluate all three tests and two groups. However, outcomes from tests
will support in defining significant value of each test on both groups. Apart from it, statistical data
provides mean value of all variables. With the help of it, null hypothesis can be easily rejected. Therefore,
it is necessary to analyse data in statistical way and obtain mean value of it.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Hartas, D. ed., 2015. Educational research and inquiry: Qualitative and quantitative approaches.
Bloomsbury Publishing.
Ledford, J.R. and Gast, D.L., 2018. Single case research methodology: Applications in special education
and behavioral sciences. Routledge.
ten Ham-Baloyi, W. and Jordan, P., 2016. Systematic review as a research method in postgraduate
nursing education. health sa gesondheid, 21(1), pp.120-128.
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