Question

An experiment is planned to compare three methods of instruction. Each is tested with a single classroom of 25 students. A different instructor is to be used for each classroom and consequently each instruction method. a. Write a short critique of the proposed experiment. b. How could the experiment be improved?

Answer 1

a.

It is not appropriate to use 3 methods of instruction each by a different instructor in 3 classes separately - one in one class because it would not be appropriate to compare in such a case as there will be bias related to different instructors as well as students of each class.

b.

We can use the same instructor to use 3 instruction methods equally effective in 3 different classes (to reduce instructor bias).

(OR)

We can use 3 different instructors each with a different instruction method in the same class (to reduce students bias, i.e., class bias).

(OR)

We can use 3 different instructors each with a different instruction method to be applied in each of 3 different classes.

Intructor 1 applies 1^st instruction method in each of the three classes. Instructor 2 applies 2^nd instruction method in each of the three classes. Instructor 3 applies 3^rd instruction method in each of the three classes (to reduce instructor bias and students bias).