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Types of Experimental Research Design

There are three main types of experimental research designs: pre-experimental, quasi-experimental, and true experimental. Pre-experimental designs lack a control group and random assignment, quasi-experimental designs have more control but still lack random assignment, and true experimental designs are the most rigorous with random assignment and a control group.

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83 views3 pages

Types of Experimental Research Design

There are three main types of experimental research designs: pre-experimental, quasi-experimental, and true experimental. Pre-experimental designs lack a control group and random assignment, quasi-experimental designs have more control but still lack random assignment, and true experimental designs are the most rigorous with random assignment and a control group.

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Anisa Labiba
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Types of Experimental Research Design

Experimental research design is a cornerstone of scientific inquiry, allowing researchers to


manipulate variables and observe their effects. There are three main types of experimental
research designs, each with its own strengths and weaknesses:
1. Pre-experimental designs:
These are the simplest designs, but also the least rigorous. They often lack a control group,
making it difficult to determine if the observed effect is truly due to the manipulated variable or
other factors. Pre-experimental designs include:
 One-shot case study: A single group is exposed to the treatment and their outcome is
measured.
 One-group pretest-posttest: A single group is measured before and after the treatment.
 Static-group comparison: Two groups are compared, but only one receives the
treatment.
2. Quasi-experimental designs:
These designs offer more control than pre-experimental designs but still lack some of the rigor
of true experiments. They may not have true random assignment to groups, or they may not be
able to control for all extraneous variables. Quasi-experimental designs include:
 Time series design: A single group is measured repeatedly over time, with the treatment
introduced at a specific point.
 Nonequivalent control group design: Two groups are compared, but they are not
equivalent in all respects.
 Counterbalanced design: The order of the treatment and control conditions is reversed
for different participants.
3. True experimental designs:
These are the most rigorous types of experimental design. They include a control group that
does not receive the treatment, and participants are randomly assigned to groups. This allows
researchers to be more confident that the observed effect is due to the manipulated variable.
True experimental designs include:
 Posttest-only control group design: Two groups are randomly assigned, one receives the
treatment and the other does not. Both groups are measured after the treatment.
 Pretest-posttest control group design: Two groups are randomly assigned, one receives
the treatment and the other does not. Both groups are measured before and after the
treatment.
 Factorial design: This design investigates the effects of multiple independent variables
simultaneously.
 Solomon four-group: This design is a combination of the posttest-only and pretest-
posttest designs. It involves four groups: an experimental group with a pretest and
posttest, a control group with a pretest and posttest, an experimental group with only a
posttest, and a control group with only a posttest.
Here's a table summarizing the key differences between the three types of experimental
designs:

Control Random
Design Type Strengths Weaknesses
Group Assignment

Pre- Simple to Weak internal


No No
experimental implement validity

Can be used in
situations where
Quasi- Moderate
Yes No random
experimental internal validity
assignment is not
possible

Can be time-
True Strong internal consuming and
Yes Yes
experimental validity expensive to
implement

Choosing the right design:


The best type of experimental design for a particular study will depend on several factors,
including the research question, the resources available, and the ethical considerations.
Here are some additional points to consider:
 Internal validity: This refers to the extent to which the study design allows for the
conclusion that the independent variable caused the observed changes. Internal validity
is strongest in true experimental designs and weakest in pre-experimental designs.
 External validity: This refers to the extent to which the results of the study can be
generalized to other populations or settings. External validity is often lower in true
experimental designs due to the controlled nature of the research environment.
 Cost and feasibility: True experimental designs are often more expensive and time-
consuming to conduct than pre-experimental or quasi-experimental designs.
Additional considerations:
 Blinding: In double-blind studies, neither the participants nor the researchers know who
is in the treatment or control group. This can help to reduce bias.
 Replication: It is important to replicate experimental findings to ensure their validity and
generalizability.
Examples:
 Evaluating the effectiveness of a new drug: This study could use a true experimental
design with a control group and random assignment.
 Studying the effects of climate change on plant growth: This study could use a quasi-
experimental design with a time series design.
 Investigating the impact of a new teaching method on student learning: This study could
use a pre-experimental design with a one-group pretest-posttest design.
Choosing the right experimental design is crucial for ensuring the validity and reliability of
research findings. By understanding the different types of designs and their strengths and
weaknesses, researchers can make informed decisions about the best way to conduct their
studies.

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