Essay on Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Designs

3- How would you make it an experimental (rather than correlational) study (it might help to be specific here as well and define the two types of studies in your

In most cases, scholars view research as large samples of subjects that are either participating in either two groups. Most research studies are considered as an experimental group whereby a treatment, independent variable (IV), or intervention is presented or a control group in which such interventions are not presented (Alberto & Troutman, 2016). Based on case study level C, Case 2, the independent variable is the treatment that is needed to change Rachel’s attitude in class. In the group designs, there is involvement of many subjects with each having an averaged performance, Dependent Variable which is comparable in the evaluation of experimental control. Therefore, Dependent variable in Rachel’s case is her behavior.

In a laboratory study of sleep deprivation, researchers employed a variety of techniques to keep

Whether research is experimental or developmental, there are no guarantees of perfect study processes or results, since both random and systematic errors are expected. Errors and uncertainties of a study’s outcomes surface almost every time. Faulty, aged or incorrectly calibrated instruments, during an experiment, can lead to important alterations of results. Distracting environments definitely influence the outcome. Finally, the human parameter in the sense of having ability to properly operate instruments and correctly interpret measurements definitely consist another factor of imperfect research (Bell 7-9).

A research design can be understood as the planning of any scientific research from the first to the last step. In this sense it is a program to guide the researcher in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting facts (Bless and Higson-Smith, 1995:63).

Instructions: This is a group activity that you will start in class and complete at home. For each of the following, note, whether the research design used is an experiment, a quasi-experiment, or a correlational approach and why. If a study is an experiment, identify the independent variable and the dependent variable. Please type your answers in complete sentences.

Experimental research concentrates on how and why something happens. It is the evaluation of how an independent variable (a manipulated factor) affects a dependent variable (an observed factor). The outcome can be affected by a number of elements; obtaining random and representative samples of the study population, experimenter bias and extraneous variables.

Experimental design research tends to use math and statistics to try to prove or disprove a hypothesis. Within an experimental design most of the research is controlled and leaves little room for error. One advantage of experimental design is that it is hard to disprove the results. However, a disadvantage is that because the conditions are controlled that makes the results too perfect. If the same experiment was conducted in an uncontrolled setting, such as the real world, the results would vary.

Throughout this course I have learned many things about research at an introductory level. Research is a critical part of all of our lives in many ways. God blesses each of us with a degree of common sense and we all learn from observing others even as babies, we learned behaviors and skills by observing our parents. Walking through experiences throughout life teach us a lot we need to know as well but sometimes we have to take a better approach when we need to learn about certain things. Many of us know that what works in some situations or with certain individuals doesn’t always work or is the safest option for another situation. Controlled and precisely organized study allows scientists to compare and examine contrasting methods and concepts, also helps them to discover various approaches and be able to learn from individual’s behaviors and experiences. I will act as the case study throughout this paper in order to observe what I have learned about.

a. The study was designed as an experimental research by using independent and dependent variables.

There are six methods used to analyse trial design; of which are discussed as follows.

True experimental research design includes random selection and group assignment of participants, manipulation of variables and observing the effect that the manipulation has on the dependant variable to establish whether a cause and effect relationship is present between the variables (Follmer Greenhoot, 2003, pp. 92-93). An example of a commonly used true experimental research designs, are experiments used for testing the effects of new pharmaceuticals.

3. At this point the general direction of the research has probably made clear which of the various research or design types is most appropriate. For example, it may be decided that a survey, or an experiment, or some other design should be used.

A study design is the procedure that guides a researcher on how to collect, analyze and interpret observations. It is a logical model that guides the investigator while he navigates through the various stages of the research. Study types can be classified severally depending on the research strategy employed. A study type can be non-interventional that is ‘observational’ where a researcher just observes and analyses researchable objects or situations without intervening. Non-interventional study designs can be exploratory, descriptive or comparative. A study can also be

Referencing McMillan and Wergin (2010) assertion on the commonality of mixed method designs having one dominate approach, determined through a series of questions. The conclusion is that Oreck (20014) has a dominate quantitative focus. Therefore, to determine whether it contributes significantly to the knowledge base, it must be judged on how well it meets the non-experimental quantitative evaluative criteria offered by McMillian and Wergin (2010). Particularly in its ability to provide connections and rationale to previous studies and illuminate gaps in the present knowledge base that this study will examine through mainly statistical means to discover associations amongst variables.