Experimental

research

Groups 7
Definition of Experimental
Research

involves identifying the differences

between two samples observed when
different treatment is administrated to
each groups
 Elements of Experimental
Design
 A set of hypotheses.
A hypothesis is a statement of what the researcher thinks will happen in the
experiment. This is usually an educated guess using current theory and has to be
testable and observable.

 Experimental tests.
Research method for testing different assumptions (hypotheses) by trial and error
under conditions constructed and controlled by the researcher. During the
experiment, one or more conditions (called independent variables) are allowed
to change in an organized manner and the effects of these changes on
associated conditions (called dependent variables) is measured, recorded,
validated, and analyzed for arriving at a conclusion.
 Measurement strategies.
Many consequences that can be hypothesized are outside the capabilities
of current measuring systems.
 Analysis strategies.
An often-neglected component in experimental design is consideration of
the analysis approach.
Pre-experimental designs

Are classified depending on whether there is an involvement of

one or two groups, and whether the groups are post tested only,
or both are pretested and post tested

Example : Group Experimental Design

Group experimental designs can be of different forms. If there is
only one independent variable that can be manipulated, then a
single-variable design is used .One group is pretested and
exposed to the treatment, and then post tested. This is called a
one-group pretest-posttest design because the two tests are
administered to the same group.
 True experimental designs
Have the highest level
Of control among the three single-variable
A true experimental design is one in which the
researcher manipulates the Independent Variable (or variables)
to observe its effect on some behavior or cognitive process (the
dependent variable) while using random assignment of
participants to groups in order to control external factors from
influencing the results.
Example: without random assignment, what inference can we draw
from findings that students in reform classrooms outperformed
students in non-reform classrooms if we suspect that the reform
teachers were more qualified, innovative, and effective prior to the
reform? Do we attribute the observed difference to the reform
program or to pre-existing differences between groups? In the
former case, the reform appears to be effective, likely worth the
investment, and possibly justifying expansion; in the latter case,
alternative inferences are warranted. There are several types of
true experimental design:
 Quasi experimental
design
Definition :
This is one type of experimental
design that is very similar to the True Experimental
Design with one key difference.
Example :
An example of a quasi-experimental design would be a study
in which you examine the effects of smoking on
respiratory functioning. You might have people who
smoke 1 pack a day and 2 pack a day smokers, but
you can't really assign them into these groups (is it
ethical to make people who smoke 1 pack a day
now smoke 2?) You would then run your study, but
when you make conclusions, you can't make any
cause and effect conclusions.
 Single-case research

 Definition :
single-case research design is a research design most
often used in applied fields of education, and human
behavior in which the subject serves as his/her own
control, rather than using another individual/group.

Example : teachers with intensive provides examples of

problems in favor of subjects in the classroom the teacher
compared to only give the subject matter alone. We can take
the conclusions from the results of the two study groups.