Date:         Sun, 6 Jan 2008 10:15:29 -0500
Reply-To:     "Annette D. Hawkins" <hawkins@ADHAWKINS.ORG>
Sender:       "SPSSX(r) Discussion" <SPSSX-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
From:         "Annette D. Hawkins" <hawkins@ADHAWKINS.ORG>
Subject:      Can This Research Project Be Saved?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

I was asked to help evaluate an experimental design at my community
college.  When presented with the data, I told the instructor involved
that the design was flawed because no random sampling occurred.  This is
the research:

Three math instructors selected two classes each for the experimental
design.

One taught two classes of Math 070 Introductory Algebra
One taught two classes of Math 080 Intermediate Algebra
One taught two classes of Math 060 Basic Arithmetic

One class would be the treatment class and use MyMathLab, computer
software by Prentice-Hall.  I don’t know how often they used the
software.  I was told at least once a week.  The other class did not use
the software.

The students were matched by one of two methods: grade in a previous
course or college placement score.  For example, if a student in the
treatment group tested into the course, the college placement score was
used.  The instructor then tried to find a student in the control group
who tested in, too.  If the student entered the class based on a grade in
a previous course, then the control group match used the same method.  In
some cases, she matched students more than once in the control group.  For
the Basic Arithmetic class, all of those students used placement scores
because there is no course below this one.  For the Math 080 class, she
included a night class with a day class for the control group. At the end
of the semester, final grades in both groups were compared.

We have a grant and time has come to evaluate whether the treatment group
performed better because of MyMathLab.  I hope I have given enough
details.  I would appreciate any help with this project.  Thanks.

Annette

=====================
To manage your subscription to SPSSX-L, send a message to
LISTSERV@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU (not to SPSSX-L), with no body text except the
command. To leave the list, send the command
SIGNOFF SPSSX-L
For a list of commands to manage subscriptions, send the command
INFO REFCARD