PURPOSE
The first purpose of this experiment was to determine whether seventh grade students’ math test scores were affected by having the test printed on colored vs. white paper.
The second purpose of this experiment was to determine whether seventh graders preferred tests printed on colored paper or white paper.
The third purpose of my experiment was to determine whether seventh grade girls’ or boys’ scores would be affected more by the paper color.
I became interested in this idea when I realized that I was able to do and remember work better when using colored paper.
The information gained from this experiment could help educators know what color of paper is better for tests. It would also show whether seventh graders prefer taking tests on colored or white paper. Also it would show whether girls in the seventh grade are affected more or less by paper color than boys are.
My first hypothesis was that seventh graders would have higher test scores when taking the test on white paper.
My second hypothesis was
that seventh graders would prefer taking the test on colored paper.
My third hypothesis was that girls’ test scores would be affected more than the boys’ scores.
I based my first hypothesis on the results of Christian Hertel’s science project, “The Effect of Colored versus White Paper on Math Scores,” from the year 2004. She found that tests on white paper yielded the best results.
My second hypothesis was based on a small poll taken by fellow students in an after school science class. About 40% preferred to take a test on white paper, about 60%preferred to take a test on colored paper.
I based my third hypothesis on the observation that girls seem to pay more attention to color than boys.
The constants in this study
were:
• Number of questions on each test
• Difficulty of tests
• Amount of time to take tests
• Testing environment (lighting, desk placement 50 cm apart, quiet noise level)
• Subjects taking the tests
The manipulated variables
were the color of paper the test was printed on and the results of boys vs.
girls.
The responding variables were the number of correct answers.
To measure the responding variable, I counted the number of problems correct using a scoring sheet.
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QUANTITY
|
ITEM DESCRIPTION
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|
1
|
Stopwatch
|
|
20
|
Experimenter’s
script scoring sheet (with group numbers)
|
|
20
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Tests
printed on colored paper (10 form A, 10 Form B)
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|
40
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Number
2 pencils
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20
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Desks
and chairs
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20
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Tests
printed on white paper (10 form A, 10 form B)
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1. Obtain two equally
difficult math quizzes and label one Form A and the other Form B.
2. Print enough Form A tests for all subjects but print half on colored paper and half on white.
3. Print Form B tests for all subjects. Print half on colored paper and half on white.
4. Randomly assign 7th grade subjects having a permission slip to one of four test groups: Group 1, Group 2, Group 3, and Group 4.
5. Arrange enough desks in an empty classroom so the subjects cannot see other subjects’ tests, spaced at least 50 cm apart
6. On each day of testing refer to the testing schedule to determine who to test and what test to use:
a. bring in one test group
b. explain what to do
c. answer any questions that might occur
d. give them pencils
e. give them the appropriate form
i. Group 1: Form A on Colored paper
ii. Group 2: Form A on White paper,
iii. Group 3: Form B on Colored paper
iv. Group 4: Form B on White paper
f. Use a stopwatch and time them for 20 minutes
g. After 20 minutes are up collect the tests
h. Send students back to class
7. On day two repeat steps 5and 6 except use the following forms.
i. Group 1: Form B on White paper
ii. Group 2: Form B on Colored paper
iii. Group 3 :Form A on White paper
iv. Group 4: Form A on Colored paper
8. At the end of day two give the test subjects a preference survey
to see what color of paper
they preferred to take the tests on
9. Count the number of problems correct and record them on the
scoring sheet (by color of
paper and test form)
10. Find an average for each of the four testing forms
11. Record this information
12. Find a percentage for the total from all the subjects
13. Record this information
14. Sort the tests by gender of student
15. Add together the total points of the boys then the girls
16. Tally preference votes
17. Average scores and compare for each gender
18. Record the averages
The first original purpose
of this experiment was to determine whether seventh grade student’s math test
scores were affected by having the test printed on colored vs. white paper.
The second original purpose of this experiment was to determine whether seventh graders preferred tests printed on colored paper or white paper.
The third original purpose of this experiment was to determine whether seventh grade girls’ or boys’ scores would be affected more by the paper color.
The results of the experiment were seventh graders did an average of 0.2 points out of 18 better taking a math test on white paper versus taking a math test on colored paper. Seventh graders also seem to prefer taking a math test on colored paper rather then white paper, I discovered that 65% seventh graders prefer math tests on colored paper and 33% prefer taking a test on white paper. My results also show that boys scored 0.2points (out of a possible 18) better than girls when taking the math test on colored paper and 0.6 points better than girls taking a test on white paper.
My first hypothesis was
that seventh graders would have higher test scores when taking the test on
white paper. The results do not give a clear indication that this first
hypothesis should be accepted. Although the seventh graders on average
had a slightly higher score taking the test on white paper, the difference was
extremely small. In fact it is probably insignificant. I think that
if I redid my entire project with a new group of subjects that they could just
as easily have an average that showed the opposite effect. For this
reason, I feel I must reject my first hypothesis.
My second hypothesis was that seventh graders would prefer taking the test on colored paper. The results indicate that this second hypothesis should be accepted, because 65% preferred taking a test on colored paper rather than taking a test on white paper.
My third hypothesis was that girls’ test scores would be more affected than the boys’ test scores. The results indicate that this third hypothesis should be rejected also because on average boys scores varied more between colored and white paper. The girls had almost exactly the same score on both colors.
After thinking about the results of this experiment, I wonder if using varied colors instead of yellow for all the tests would affect the test scores.
If I were to conduct this project again I would give my subjects more than twenty minutes to complete each test. I would also test many more subjects. I would have my subjects do a much easier test.
Researched
by ----- Brooke C
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