Causal Hypothesis Experiment
Analysis
Using the following question,
QUESTION: Learning music can help
children do better at math. Gordon Shaw of the University of California,
Irvine, and Frances Rauscher at the University of Wisconsin compared three
groups of second-graders: 26 received piano instruction plus practice with a
math videogame, 29 received extra English lessons plus the game, and 28 got no
special lessons. After four months the piano kids scored 15 to 41 % higher on a
test of ratios and fractions than the other participants.
INVESTIGATIONS:
a. Identify
the causal hypothesis at issue-Learning music can help children do better at
math.
b. Identify
what kind of investigation it is-Controlled Cause-to-Effect Experiments
c. Describe
the control and experimental groups-control group where the 28 second graders
that did not recieve piano instruction. Experimental group were the 26 second
graders that did receive piano instruction
d. State
the difference in effect between control and experimental groups-The difference
is the % increase in the math scores
e. Identify any problems in either
the investigation or in the report of it, including but not necessarily limited
to uncontrolled variables.-there is not enough information about how much time
children recieved in the uncontrolled variables, practice with a math video game.
f.State the conclusion warranted
by the report._Providing children with additional musical and math tutoring
increases math abilities.





