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Correlation or Cause and Effect?

 

If researchers want to show that one factor or variable causes changes in another variable, they have to conduct scientific experiments in carefully controlled conditions. Without these conditions, researchers can show a correlation, but not a cause-and-effect relationship between variables.

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Correlation or Cause and Effect?

 

Research on Classroom Interaction Patterns

 

In the 1980's, researchers analyzed what teachers say and do in their classrooms. These studies tried to identify teacher-student interactions in the classroom that improve students' test scores. However, many different factors, and not only classroom interactions, influence test scores. Some factors that affect test scores are student-related, for example, students' intelligence and motivation levels. All these factors would have to be carefully controlled before we can conclude that classroom interaction patterns significantly affect students' test scores.

What is the main message of this text? Choose 2 correct answers.

Research studies that are done in the classroom and not in a laboratory can prove that interaction patterns cause higher test scores.

Interaction patterns in the classroom are only one of the factors that influence students' test scores.

If you want to show that effective teacher-student interactions cause increases in students' scores, you have to do experiments that prevent any other factors from also affecting students' test scores.