Data Results & AnalysisWe wanted to study the effects of project-based learning on our students. The results are presented here. Data Results and Analysis
MethodsIn order to assess the effects of our teaching, we administered a survey to students designed to measure their attitudes and beliefs about science. In addition to surveying the students exposed to PBL (experimental group), we also administered the survey to students in classrooms that were not exposed to PBL (comparison group). InstrumentThe Student Attitude Survey was obtained from Dr. David E. Kanter, an expert in designing and testing PBL interventions in science. The instrument measures five aspects of students' beliefs and attitudes about science. Specifically:
Each factor includes several statements with which students were asked to indicate their level of agreement. (For example, the statement, 'I enjoyed what we did in science class this year' contributes to the factor of 'Interest in science.') Data CollectionThe survey was administered to the 7th grade experimental group three times (January of 2013, March of 2013, and May of 2013). The survey was administered to the 8th grade experimental groups twice (February of 2013 and May of 2013). The comparison groups for both grades took the survey in the spring of 2013. ResultsIn Grade 7:
In Grade 8:
AnalysisOur data collection and design was in its preliminary phase, with some flaws within the experimental design. Therefore, the results from our action-research do not provide sufficient evidence to "prove" that project-based learning has a direct impact on students' attitudes toward science. However, the reliability scores (α 0.93-0.94) for the survey instrument were very strong, indicating that the survey can be reused with future incoming students, given that our sample population represents the overall student population in our school communities. Implications for Further ResearchDuring the next school year, our team plans on conducting the same action-research with an improved experimental design in hopes of collecting more reliable data that will allow us to answer our research question. The discrepancy between male and female attitudes towards science, with females scoring lower, is a topic worth researching further as well.
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