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Effects of Study Load on Science Achievement: Searching for a Turning Point with Multilevel Piecewise Regression

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  • Xin Ma
  • Xingkai Luo

Abstract

With an educational issue that has caught the attention of many countries in the world (study load), a population of 8th graders from a typical Chinese metropolitan city (40,536 from 118 schools), and an advanced statistical strategy (multilevel piecewise regression), we examined whether there was a turning point in terms of the effects of study load on science achievement. We did identify a turning point for each and every measure of study load. For weekday learning on science achievement, we identified a turning point of 22.50Â hr for the effects of in-school learning, 7.50Â hr for the effects of homework, and 12Â hr for the effects of after-school learning. For weekend learning on science achievement, we identified a turning point of 1.50Â hr for the effects of in-school learning, 5Â hr for the effects of homework, and 1 hr for the effects of after-school learning. In each case, the difference in effects before and after the turning point was statistically significant, indicating that the effects of study load on science achievement were nonlinear. All of these turning points offered important implications for science education.

Suggested Citation

  • Xin Ma & Xingkai Luo, 2024. "Effects of Study Load on Science Achievement: Searching for a Turning Point with Multilevel Piecewise Regression," Evaluation Review, , vol. 48(5), pages 918-944, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:sae:evarev:v:48:y:2024:i:5:p:918-944
    DOI: 10.1177/0193841X231214824
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    1. Stinebrickner Ralph & Stinebrickner Todd R., 2008. "The Causal Effect of Studying on Academic Performance," The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 8(1), pages 1-55, June.
    2. Eren, Ozkan & Henderson, Daniel J., 2011. "Are we wasting our children's time by giving them more homework?," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(5), pages 950-961, October.
    3. Nick Huntington-Klein & Andrew Gill, 2021. "Semester Course Load and Student Performance," Research in Higher Education, Springer;Association for Institutional Research, vol. 62(5), pages 623-650, August.
    4. Stinebrickner, Ralph & Stinebrickner, T.R.Todd R., 2004. "Time-use and college outcomes," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 121(1-2), pages 243-269.
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