Imagine that you are a peer reviewer for the following study: Researchers are evaluating a new teaching technique, to determine whether it increases student engagement and interest. In one class, scheduled at 11am, they used the new technique. In a second class, scheduled at 7am, they used regular lecture techniques. The researchers found more student engagement and interest in the class with the new technique, so they concluded that it was effective. What major flaw is present in this study?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The major flaw in this study is that the treatment (new teaching technique) is confounded with the time of day (11am vs 7am). It is impossible to determine whether the increased student engagement and interest was due to the new technique or simply the time of day when the class was scheduled. A better design would have randomly assigned classes to either the new technique or regular lecture technique condition, regardless of the time of day they were scheduled.

Imagine That You Are a Peer Reviewer for the Following