MITE6025 Methods of Research and Enquiry LIST Vivian L eung, Stella I m, Fiona S o, Enid T am

Session 5 (Task 5) Experimental Research Designs

Experimental Research Designs

Research Area To investigate the effect of the use L1 in English language classrooms in primary one

To investigate the effect of the use L1 in English language classrooms in primary one

Possible Experimental Research Question (1) Is the use of L1 in English language classrooms help primary one students achieving better scores in English Language? Independent variable – the use of L1 (mother tongue of the children, that is, Cantonese) Dependent variable – scores in English Language

Is the use of L1 in English language classrooms help primary one students achieving better scores in English Language?

Independent variable – the use of L1 (mother tongue of the children, that is, Cantonese)

Dependent variable – scores in English Language

Possible Experimental Research Question (2) This study is classified as an experimental design as the study try to test the effects of the independent variable on a dependable variable.

This study is classified as an experimental design as the study try to test the effects of the independent variable on a dependable variable.

How could data for the variables be collected? (1) Step 1: Collect as many samples as possible. The children are divided into two groups. One will be the experimental group in which the independent variable (L1) is introduced and the other will be the control group, which will be taught by English.

Step 1: Collect as many samples as possible. The children are divided into two groups. One will be the experimental group in which the independent variable (L1) is introduced and the other will be the control group, which will be taught by English.

How could data for the variables be collected? (2) Step 2: To investigate if the children perform better when L1 is used in English lessons, pre-test (mid-term exam) and post-test (annual exam) are introduced. It is assumed that the scores of the examination can measure the students’ performance in English Language.

Step 2: To investigate if the children perform better when L1 is used in English lessons, pre-test (mid-term exam) and post-test (annual exam) are introduced. It is assumed that the scores of the examination can measure the students’ performance in English Language.

How could data for the variables be collected? (3) Step 3: The experimental design would be- H 0 : there will be no significant differences between the scores Experimental condition Pre-test (mid-term exam) scores Using L1 (Cantonese) in English Language classroom Post-test (annual exam) scores Control condition Pre-test (mid-term exam) scores Using L2 (English) in English Language classroom Post-test (annual exam) scores

Step 3: The experimental design would be-

H 0 : there will be no significant differences between the scores

Provide argument how answer to that question can contribute to improvements in some aspect of education/teaching and learning? (1) It is assumed that some improvement in scores for both conditions (because children getting older) can be found, but if there is significant greater improvement in experimental condition, that meant this extra improvement is affected by the independent variable.

It is assumed that some improvement in scores for both conditions (because children getting older) can be found, but if there is significant greater improvement in experimental condition, that meant this extra improvement is affected by the independent variable.

Provide argument how answer to that question can contribute to improvements in some aspect of education/teaching and learning? (2) The significant result helps the school to make decision on the medium of instruction used in primary 1 English Language classroom.

The significant result helps the school to make decision on the medium of instruction used in primary 1 English Language classroom.