Suppose you were presented with the results of a study comparing two different t

Question

Suppose you were presented with the results of a study comparing two different teaching methods. You are told 160 students were randomly assigned to the two groups so that 80 were in the Class A and 80 were in the class B. At the end of the semester, the same assessment was given to the two groups and a difference of 10 points out of 100) is found between the two groups. The educating consultant reports that a two sample t-test shows this difference is statistically significant. How would you interpret these findings? What questions or concerns would you have? How might this type of study be improved?

Explanation / Answer

First , We can formulate the hypothesis as follows

H0 : There is no difference in the 2 teaching methods based on the average results

H1 : There is a signifcant difference in the 2 teaching methods based on the average results

Hence based on the results given in the question , we can conclude that the 2 teaching methods were infact different statistically because the average results differeed by 10 points

However , we would want to ensure that the learning capacity of all the 160 students were more or less same otherwise, it if the samples of students had more/less intelligent students , then the results would be signifcantly impacted. hence the intellectual level of all the students must be same

The test can be improved by performing a paired t test instead. where in the same group of 80 students undergo the 2 different types of teaching methods and then are assessed with the same level of assesments, then compare the mean values of the average scores to see the difference of the test scores

Hope this helps !!

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