Experimentation critique and analysis

¶ … namely, evaluating the structure of the research upon which scientific conclusion are drawn. More specifically, the function of a research article is to inform readers about the problem being investigated, the methods used to solve the problem, the results of the investigation, and the conclusions being inferred from the results. The printed manuscript is to inform the reader, as expeditiously as possible, what was done, the outcome of the doing, and the investigator's conclusion.

In addition to the above, research reports must be succinct, objective, and crystalline. The ultimate test of an excellent research report is in its ability to be replicated by those who read it. If this criterion cannot be met, then the report is inadequate. The remainder of this review will be an analysis of a particular professional article wherein a research investigator sought to determine the effects of class composition on student achievement as stated in the assignment guidelines the paper will be pay particular attention to the following: substantive qualities (research problem and purpose, research question and accompanying hypothesis/hypotheses, variable identification, supportive literature, conceptual framework), research methodology, research ethics, data interpretation, writing and presentation style, and quality of presentation and writing. The specific tile of the article is as follows: Burns, Robert B. And Mason, DeWayne a (2002).Class composition and student achievement in elementary schools. American Educational Research Journal 15(50), 39-42.

Problem/Justification. Although Burns and Mason (2002) clearly stated in the introductory section of his article that addressing the need for information with respect to the influence of class composition on student achievement in an elementary school environment and that such data is scant he failed to inform the reader regarding the specific information needed. The research investigators should have enlightened the reader as to the specifics of each classroom composition model other than simply labeling each (i.e., combination classes or multi-grade and single grade classes). Further, operationalizing the terms context and composition would have greatly aided the reader in interpreting the study's results.

Study Purpose. Burns and Mason (2002) did follow best fit research practice protocol by stating the purpose of the study as that being to study student achievement with respect to the effects of class composition. However, this reviewer would have like to see more information of exactly what is meant by multi-grade composition and single grade composition. In other words, should such factors as gender, ethnicity, socio-economic level, family size, ESL possibilities, and reading ability have been considered? Without such information it is difficult to assign a value to the study's content knowledge worthiness.