Experimental research design is a method used to check the cause and effect relationship between variables. Variables can be causes, certain intervention or treatment.
This design helps to find the actual relationship that is cause and effect. It manipulate one variable (independent variable) and check its effect on dependent variable with controlled environment.
Ex. If a researcher want to know the effectiveness of health education on people, he will manipulate independent variable (i.e. HE) on case group and control group.
What are the main components of Experimental Research Design?
The main component and terms used in the experimental research design are given below,
Independent variable
Independent variable is the intervention or drug or any thing that an researcher will perform on the people sample. Researcher manipulate this variable in the control group. Manipulate means, he will not perform this on control group. Check difference in the case and control group.
Dependent variable
Dependent variable is the outcome and results occur after the researcher performed his research. Ex. Researcher assessing the anxiety or stress level, so this is the dependent variable.
Experiment group
Experiment group is one that receives the independent variable (like any therapy, treatment, intervention).
Control group
This group does not receive independent variable. This group remain normal and it is basically used for comparing with experimental group.
Types of Experimental Research design
There are three types of experimental research design,
- Pre-Experimental Design – Pre-experimental design, in this only one group is present. It is easier study design.
- True Experimental Design – In this, two groups are there, experimental and control group. The samples are assigned randomely. It results in stronger study evidence.
- Quasi Experimental Design -It also has experimental and control group. In this design, randomization is not done. Samples are taken randomely.
What is the process of Conducting Experimental Research Design?
- Selection of problem statement
- Collecting ROL (review of literature)
- Form hypothesis
- Add variables (Independent and dependent variable)
- Select the research design (Pre-experimental, true or quasi experimental design)
- Sample selection
- Creation of experimental and control group
- Conduct the pretest of both group
- Give intervention to experimental group
- Take post test in both group (control group does not receive any intervention)
- Data analysis
- Finding interpretations and conclusions
What are the advantages and disadvantages of experimental research design?
Advantages :-
- It is helpful in finding the cause effect relationships
- Researcher can control environment, samples and extraneous variable
- Randomization increases accuracy in results
- It is easy to conduct same research again due to low sample size
- It uses standardized scales and procedure as decreasing the researcher bias
Disadvantages :-
- There are some ethical problems, as one need to take ethical certificates and concers before results
- Randomization is difficult in hospital, schools and community settings.