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Causal Hypothesis Experiment Analysis

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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.

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Solution Summary

The solution provides a sample analysis of a behavior alteration experiment's methods and results using the principle of cause and effect. Corrections are made to sample student work on the experiment. References are provided for further expansion.

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Dear Student,
This solution is a review and expansion of your work. So far you have identified things well but what we need here are extra details. Okay, so let's start with the Statement and analyse it:

"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. "

In a nutshell the statement alleges that the study conducted by Shaw & Rauscher show that children who study music do better in math. Their evidence is via their controlled social experiment: 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 4 months studies show that kids who ...

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