ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses a two-phase approach was employed in an attempt to distinguish between seat location and self-selection hypotheses. For Phase 1, students selected their seats in a large class setting, whereas for Phase 2 the same students were randomly assigned to seats. In cause-and-effect research, a hypothesis describes the expected results based on a theoretical framework. The cause, or independent variable, produces the effect or outcome, which is called the dependent variable. Final statements about cause-and-effect depend on the theoretical framework and the research design because bivariate analysis indicates only the presence of a statistical relationship. If the research design is nonexperimental, it is not always clear which variable caused an observed change. For example, the next excerpts explore the bivariate relationship between where students sit in class and how much they achieve. In experimental research, researchers administer treatments such as randomly assigning some students to sit near the front of class and so.
