摘要
通过对一项写作教学实验的个案分析,讨论了英语教学实验中有关被试者的挑选,变量的控制和实验设计方面应注意的问题,并对该项实验研究提出了自己的修改意见。
Experimental research is concerned with studying the effects of specified and controlled treatments given to subjects, in which three basic components should be controlled and manipulated carefully: the population, the treatment and the measurement of the treatment. Owing to the complicated factors involved in second language acquisition, researchers in this area many find it hard to conduct an experiment in an ideally controlled context. Through the case analysis of a writing experimental report newly published in Foreign Language Teaching and Research, this article tries to discuss how the basic elements of an experiment can be arranged in order to give results which are both valid and reliable. Much importance is attached to random sampling, variable controlling and experimental, designing, which may determine whether the three basic elements are effectively manipulated in an experimental research. Finally, revising suggestions are offered concerning the analyzed experimental report.