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Image of a researcher AEE 578--Scientific Inquiry in Agricultural and Extension Education
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Conducting Experimental and Time Series Research in Agricultural and Extension Education
Introduction:

Image of a magnifying glass 		The "No Child Left Behind' Act calls for educational decisions to be based on credible, quality research. So what type of research does the Department of Education consider to be credible, quality research? -- experimental research. Classroom teachers, and to some extent, extension agents have all types of opportunities to engage in experimental or quasi-experimental research. In this lesson we will learn more about how to conduct experimental, quasi-experimental, and ex post facto research.
Learning Objectives:

Icon of a signpost 		image of a ball Describe briefly the purpose of experimental research;
image of a ball Describe the basic steps involved in conducting an experiment;
image of a ball Describe two ways experimental research differs from other educational research;
image of a ball Explain the importance of and difference between random assignment & random selection;
image of a ball Explain what is meant by "manipulation of variables,"
image of a ball Describe three ways in which variable manipulations can occur;
image of a ball Distinguish between weak and strong experimental designs, and draw diagrams of such;
image of a ball Identify various threats to internal validity associated with different experimental designs;
image of a ball Describe briefly how to assess probable threats to internal validity in an experimental study;
image of a ball Explain three ways threats to internal validity in experimental research can be controlled;
image of a ball Explain how matching can be used to equate groups in experimental studies;
image of a ball Describe the purpose of factorial and counterbalanced designs, and draw diagrams of each;
image of a ball Describe briefly the purpose of a time-series design, and draw a diagram of this design;
image of a ball Recognize an experimental study when you see one in the literature.
Instructional
Activities:

Icon of a computer 		image of a ballRead Chap. 13 "Experimental Research" a nd Chapter 16 "Causal-Comparative Research" in How to Design & Evaluate Research in Education (Fraenkel & Wallen).

image of a ball Football plays are graphically diagrammed using X's and O's. Experimental research designs are also graphically diagrammed using X's and O's. Read Trochim's Introduction to Design to learn how to diagram a research design.

image of a ball What is the difference between an experiment and a quasi-experiment? Trochim graphically answers this question.

image of a ball Did the experimental treatment really cause the difference or was there some other unknown variable at work?  This question gets at the internal validity of research.

image of a ball To be able to identify threats to internal validity and control them. Read Trochim's Single Group and Multi-Group Threats.

image of a ball There are also Social Interaction Threats to the internal validity of research.

image of a ball  The simplest experimental research design is the two-group posttest-only randomized experiment.

image of a ball Cooperative Learning is a teaching process proven to have educational merit. Teachers often ask if the best way to group the class is by similar students (homogenous groups) or dissimiliar students (heterogenous groups).  Read The Effect of Cooperative Learning Team Compositions on Selected Learner Outcomes from the JAE (v.40, #-1, 1999).

image of a ball Download the PowerPoint presentation on Experimental Research.
Review:

image of a roundabout sign
 
 Image of a blue ball The publisher of the textbook has some excellent information to support the text; you should check it out:

Chapter 13 Experimental Research
 Image of a blue ball Visit the text site and complete the multiple choice questions for Chapter 13

Chapter 16 -Causal-Comparative Research

 Image of a blue ball Visit the text site and complete the multiple choice questions for Chapter 16


Additional Resources:
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 		Image of a blue ball IF you want to see more (NOT required):
Assignments:               
Icon of note pad 		Image of a blue ballComplete the experimental research worksheet.

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