<\/span><\/h2>\nSo why do we need <\/span>experimental research<\/span>? Here are a few reasons:[<\/span>3]<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n- To establish causality<\/span><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Experimental research helps determine the cause-and-effect relationship between the variables under study. It helps assess whether a change in the independent variable changes the dependent variable.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n- To control variables<\/span><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Experimental research allows for controlling the effect of extraneous variables. That is, <\/span>experimental research design<\/span> can accurately determine if the changes in the dependent variable are indeed caused by the specific independent variable being studied and manipulated. <\/span>Experimental research<\/span> reduces the chances of having multiple explanations for the observed changes in the dependent variable.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n- To provide reliable and valid results<\/span><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Following a structured method while conducting experimental research<\/span> minimizes the risk of measurement errors and biases. The results are deemed to be more generalizable.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n- To support informed decision-making<\/span><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Experimental research provides accurate evidence to support informed decision-making by organizations in various operational activities, such as product testing, marketing, etc.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/PDF-Banner-3.png\")
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<\/span>Types of Experimental Research Designs<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\nThere are three <\/span>types of experimental research designs<\/span>:[<\/span>4]<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/span>Pre-experimental research design<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\nThis <\/span>experimental research design<\/span> is used to examine the changes in one or more groups of dependent variables based on a change in the independent variable. This <\/span>experimental research design<\/span> can be divided into the following categories:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n- One-shot case study research design<\/span><\/b>: A post-test study of a single set of variables in which a single group is assessed at a single point in time after some treatment is presumed to have caused a change.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Example: The HR department in a company plans to conduct a training program on learning Microsoft Excel skills for its employees. They conduct a test after one month of training to see if there is any improvement in the employees\u2019 MS Excel skills.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n- One-group pretest-posttest research design<\/span><\/b>: This research design assesses a single set of variables both before and after implementing the intervention, that is, a single group is observed at two time points. Any changes in the outcome are presumed to be the result of the intervention. Considering the same example as above, the employees are tested both before and after the training. Any improvement in employees\u2019 MS Excel skills could be attributed to the training.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n- Static-group comparison<\/span><\/b>: All the groups of variables are divided into two sub-groups, with one sub-group receiving the intervention and the other not receiving it. In the same example, the employees are divided into two groups in which one group (control) does not receive the training while the other group receives it. Both groups are tested and their results compared. Any changes in the MS Excel skills of the treatment group could be attributed to the training.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"experimental-research-design\"](\"https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/modern-equipped-computer-lab-1.jpg\")
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