RESEARCH ARTICLE
Exploring the Relationship Between Frequency of Different Homework Types and Academic Performance: An Example of 8th-Graders Students on Math in China
Yueyang Shao,
Qimeng Liu,
Tianxue Cui,
Jian Liu,
Yueyang Shao
Collaborative Innovation Center of Assessment for Basic Education Quality, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
Search for more papers by this authorQimeng Liu
Collaborative Innovation Center of Assessment for Basic Education Quality, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
Search for more papers by this authorTianxue Cui
College of Public Administration and Humanities, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian, China
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Jian Liu
China Education Innovation Institute, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai, China
Correspondence: Jian Liu ([email protected])
Search for more papers by this authorYueyang Shao,
Qimeng Liu,
Tianxue Cui,
Jian Liu,
Yueyang Shao
Collaborative Innovation Center of Assessment for Basic Education Quality, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
Search for more papers by this authorQimeng Liu
Collaborative Innovation Center of Assessment for Basic Education Quality, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
Search for more papers by this authorTianxue Cui
College of Public Administration and Humanities, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian, China
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Jian Liu
China Education Innovation Institute, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai, China
Correspondence: Jian Liu ([email protected])
Search for more papers by this authorFirst published: 05 April 2025
ABSTRACT
Scholars paid attention to the relationship between homework frequency and academic performance, however, fewer of them noticed that the relationship might be nonlinear and may vary across different types of homework. This study aims at exploring the nonlinear relationship between the different types of homework frequency and mathematical academic performance. To reach this goal, the study utilized the Multilevel Piecewise Regression Model (MPRM) and educational assessment data with 11,007 8th-graders students from a city in China. The results emphasize the importance of considering the nonlinear relationship between homework frequency and academic performance, as well as the differing effects of various homework types. Specifically, a higher frequency of Practice Homework (PH) seems to be positively related to academic performance, overwhelming Simulated Test Homework (STH) seems to be inefficient and overwhelming Extension Homework (EH) or Integration Homework (IH) has no positive effect on academic performance. According to the results, educators should not assign excessive STH (no more than once a month) to avoid hurting students’ academic performance, while maintaining a higher frequency of PH may be more appropriate.
Summary
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The relationship between the frequency of different types of homework and academic performance varies widely.
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For practice homework, the frequency of math homework positively predicted students’ academic performance in math.
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For stimulated test homework, appropriate math homework frequency positively predicted academic performance, and excessive math homework frequency negatively predicted academic performance.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Open Research
Data Availability Statement
The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
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