Question

3. Suppose that you are asked to conduct a study to determine whether smaller class sizes lead to improved student performance of fourth graders. If you could conduct any experiment you want, what would you do? Be specific. More realistically, suppose you can collect observational data on several thousand fourth graders in a given state. You can obtain the size of their fourth-grade class and a standardized test score taken at the end of fourth grade. Why might you expect a negative correlation between class size and test score? Would a negative correlation necessarily show that smaller class sizes cause better performance? Explain.

Answer 1

1) What i would do is to randomly assign students to classes of different sizes. Means each student will be given a different class size without taking into account of their characteristics such as their abilities and family backgroung. And i'll keep checking their progress in the end of the semester.

2) We might find a negative relationship between class size and test score as the teacher’s period in class is limited that means a student will get more attention in smaller classes, and therefore have a larger chance of having a better performance.

3) finding a negative correlation would not be a strong and enough evidence that smaller class sizes will lead to better performance. As it also depends upon the quality of school and teachers. A better school and quality of teachers can improve the students abilities and their scores drastically.