Course: Research Methods
Question:
What is an example of an experimental research design?
Short Answer:
An example of an experimental research design could be a study testing the effects of a new teaching method on student learning outcomes, with one group using the new method (experimental group) and another using a standard method (control group).
Long Answer:
Understanding Experimental Research Design Through an Example
An experimental research design provides a way to investigate cause-effect relationships by manipulating an independent variable and observing changes in a dependent variable. To make this a little clearer, let’s consider a detailed example.
Setting up the Experiment
Imagine a group of researchers want to test a new teaching method’s effectiveness, designed to improve student learning outcomes. They hypothesize that students taught using this new method will show greater improvement in test scores compared to students taught using standard teaching methods.
In this case, the new teaching method is the independent variable (what the researchers are changing), and the students’ test scores are the dependent variable (what the researchers are measuring).
Implementing a True Experimental Design
To test their hypothesis, the researchers decide to use a True Experimental Design, which requires random assignment of participants to the experimental group or the control group. They enlist two similar classes from the same grade level at a local school. The classes are randomly assigned to either the control or the experimental group.
The experimental group uses the new teaching method for a specified period, while the control group continues with the standard teaching method. Both groups take a standardized test at the end of the period to measure learning outcomes.
Analyzing the Results
Once the data is collected, the researchers compare the test scores of the two groups. If students taught with the new teaching method (the experimental group) score significantly higher than those taught with the standard method (the control group), the researchers might conclude that their new teaching method is effective in improving learning outcomes.
The Importance of Control in Experimental Research Design
This example underscores the importance of control in experimental research design. By keeping all other factors constant and only manipulating the teaching method, the researchers can attribute any significant differences in test scores to the teaching method, not other variables.
However, they should be cautious about potential confounding variables — uncontrolled factors that could impact the study’s results. For example, the time of day the class is held, the students’ prior knowledge, or the teachers’ individual teaching styles could also influence the results.
I hope this answers the question, “What is an example of an experimental research design?” If you have any questions, post them in the comment field below!