1. Start with Your Research Idea

Every study conducted in ASSISTments will be unique.  Your job is to take your expertise and determine how to implement it in ASSISTments.



This section will go along with our ASSISTments: As a Researchers Tool site.  There we link to the publications of studies that used ASSISTments to collect data. Here we will show you a behind the scenes look at how the study was built. 

Every study is unique but there are some overarching design features we want to demonstrate in these examples.
  • Stand alone problem sets or using the individual assignment feature (this requires cooperation with a teacher)
  • Skill builder problem set or a problem set where there is a set number of problems (this, especially the Skill Builder, works well with our subject pool).
  • Responses giving in the "hint" boxes or using the "scaffolding" system or using the feedback message.

A long list of possible designs is illustrated on this list of ideas.
Each of the following selected studies covers a different combination of these design features. 
  1. Video vs. Text Feedback
    1. Stand alone problem set (using the choose condition).
    2. A problem set where there is a set number of problems.
    3. Using the scaffold response.
  2. Studying the Dweck Intervention - With Stanford University
    1. Stand alone problem set (using randomization by the Skill Builder).
    2. Skill builder problem set.
    3. Using the scaffold response.
  3. Adaptive Homework for a standard text book - With University of Chicago Illinois 
    1. Using the individual assignment feature (recruited the school and trained the teachers).
    2. A problem set where there is a set number of problems.
    3. Scaffolding system and feedback message.
  4. Worked Examples
    1. Stand alone problem set (using the choose condition).
    2. A problem set where there is a set number of problems.
    3. Using the scaffold response.
  5. Motivational Video
    1. Stand alone problem set (using the choose condition)
    2. Skill Builder
    3. Embedding video in a problem.

There are two different ways of doing studies.  There is a single problem set study (most often as a skill builder study) and an orchestrated study.  Orchestrated studies are ones where the researcher recruits a few teachers to participate.  A single problem set study in particular a skill builder study will get used by many more students because all a teacher needs to do is find it and assign it.    

If you use our subject pool how do teachers find your study?

In this video, Professor Heffernan shows the "ASSISTments Certified Problem Sets" folder, where teachers will be able to find your study.  The description and Common Core standard that serve as the title will be followed by "EX" to denote an experimental problem set.  In this video, Professor Heffernan also discusses a little bit about the ARRS system and how researchers can benefit when teachers have this preference selected.

YouTube Video