Reading Response - Dear Course Instructor

Dear Course Instructor,

I am writing to you to gain permission from you, the course instructor, to proceed with a research study using students in your Computer Science course. This study, using a t-test, will compare computer programming skills for students in your Computer Science course that used either an interactive virtual textbook or the traditional paper textbook. Our study aims to understand if learners score better in the course if they use an interactive virtual textbook over a traditional paper one. Below is a description of the study, including our research question, methods, and both experimental and null hypothesis. Additional components for IRB approval are also provided in this letter. 

Data Observed

The data observed includes our two independent variables: 1) students using the interactive textbook and 2) students using the traditional paper textbook. Additional data observed includes the final course grades collected for all students using a GPA from 0.0-4.0, and differences in final grades between scores when students used the interactive textbook and when the traditional textbook was used. 

Inference Desired to Make T-Test: The interactive textbook had a better effect than the paper textbook on final grades. 

Experimental Hypothesis

Students that used the interactive online textbook had higher final grades than students that used the traditional textbook. This experimental hypothesis will be determined by evaluating final grades between the two groups at the end of the semester and seeing statistically significance in the final grades, with the virtual textbook resulting in higher grades. We will have thus rejected our null hypothesis (see below). 

Null Hypothesis

There is no difference in final course grades between students that used the interactive online textbook and students that used the traditional paper textbook. Essentially, if there is no statistical significance in the data and the grades between the two groups are no different, then we have failed to reject the null hypothesis (see below).

Rejection of Null hypothesis

If we reject the null hypothesis, we have identified a statistical significant difference in final grades between the two groups. 

Fail to Reject the Null Hypothesis

If we fail to reject the null hypothesis, we have found that there is no statistical significance in final grades between the two groups. 

Purpose of the T-Test and Protecting Human Subjects

In using a t-test, we will be comparing means for two independent groups: students who used the interactive online textbook and students who use a traditional textbook throughout the semester. The dependent variable in our t-test is the final course grades for all students. To do this, one group of students will use a new interactive virtual textbook throughout the course, while the second group will use the traditional textbook. Students will be assigned at random but will be fully informed of the purpose of the study, what to expect while participating in the study, and potential risks (lower final grade) and benefits (higher final grade). Consent will be obtained from all participants and they can withdraw from the study at any time. To comply with FERPA, we will keep all names or other identifiable information anonymous, replacing names with codes. All data collected will be securely stored in our database, but participants will be provided with the results of the study. 

Thank you for taking the time to review my request. Please feel free to contact me for additional questions regarding this study. 

Best,

Katie Peterson