Experimental Research Designs
Experimental Research Designs
“A correlational study determines whether or not two variables are correlated. This means to study whether there is an increase or decrease in one variable corresponds to an increase or decrease in the other variable” (Cherry, 2012). In most correlation studies there is a relationship between both variables that had a change, while in others there wasn’t necessarily causation between the two (Cherry, 2012).
An experimental design is one in which the researcher manipulates the independent variable to observe its effect the dependent variable. When conducting an experiment the researcher will use random assignment of the participants into a control group and the other the group that is being experimented on. The researcher will place the control group in a controlled environment, while the other will be placed in a cause and effect situation and the results will be determined from the experiment (True Experimental Design, 2012).
A laboratory experiment is a research study conducted in a controlled setting in which the effect of all independent variables is kept to a minimum. A good example is when a research does an experiment with lab animals. A field experiment is a research study conducted in a natural setting in which one or more independent variables are manipulated by the experimenter under conditions controlled as carefully as the situation will permit (Laboratory versus field, 2012). An example of this is when people observe other people in their environments, like in Africa or other areas of the world. They don’t do anything, but observe from a distance and write down everything they witness. The steps of research:
• Form a hypothesis. o A hypothesis is a statement about the relationship between two or more variables. A hypothesis is a specific and a testable prediction about what you expect to happen in a study or an experiment (Cherry, 2012). This is just making a prediction that research can either back up or break
“A correlational study determines whether or not two variables are correlated. This means to study whether there is an increase or decrease in one variable corresponds to an increase or decrease in the other variable” (Cherry, 2012). In most correlation studies there is a relationship between both variables that had a change, while in others there wasn’t necessarily causation between the two (Cherry, 2012).
An experimental design is one in which the researcher manipulates the independent variable to observe its effect the dependent variable. When conducting an experiment the researcher will use random assignment of the participants into a control group and the other the group that is being experimented on. The researcher will place the control group in a controlled environment, while the other will be placed in a cause and effect situation and the results will be determined from the experiment (True Experimental Design, 2012).
A laboratory experiment is a research study conducted in a controlled setting in which the effect of all independent variables is kept to a minimum. A good example is when a research does an experiment with lab animals. A field experiment is a research study conducted in a natural setting in which one or more independent variables are manipulated by the experimenter under conditions controlled as carefully as the situation will permit (Laboratory versus field, 2012). An example of this is when people observe other people in their environments, like in Africa or other areas of the world. They don’t do anything, but observe from a distance and write down everything they witness. The steps of research:
• Form a hypothesis. o A hypothesis is a statement about the relationship between two or more variables. A hypothesis is a specific and a testable prediction about what you expect to happen in a study or an experiment (Cherry, 2012). This is just making a prediction that research can either back up or break
References: Cherry, K. (n.d.). Simple Experiment - Overview of Simple Psychology Experiments. Psychology - Complete Guide to Psychology for Students, Educators & Enthusiasts. Retrieved June 24, 2012, from http://psychology.about.com/od/researchmethods/a/simpexperiment.htm Cherry, K. (n.d.). Research Using Correlational Studies. Psychology - Complete Guide to Psychology for Students, Educators & Enthusiasts. Retrieved June 24, 2012, from http://psychology.about.com/b/2012/01/10/correlational-studies.htm Cherry, K. (n.d.). Hypothesis - Psychology - About.com. Psychology - Complete Guide to Psychology for Students, Educators & Enthusiasts. Retrieved June 24, 2012, from http://psychology.about.com/od/hindex/g/hypothesis.htm Laboratory Versus Field Experiments. (n.d.). Berry College - emphasizing academic excellence, meaningful work experience & service to others. Retrieved June 24, 2012, from http://facultyweb.berry.edu/nmiller/classinfo/323/2.4/lab_vs_field.htm Taylor., Sears., & Peplau. (2006). Social psychology (12. ed.). Upper Saddle River, N.J: Prentice Hall. The Review of Literature for Research. (n.d.). The University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Retrieved June 24, 2012, from http://www.uncp.edu/home/acurtis/Courses/ResourcesForCourses/LitReview.html True Experimental Design Defined - Psychology Glossary . (n.d.). AlleyDog.com - psychology students ' best friend. Retrieved June 24, 2012, from http://www.alleydog.com/glossary/definition.php?term=True%20Experimental%20Design