8:36pmMar 18 at 8:36pm
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Non-Experimental and Experimental Methods
Conducting research for an academic study is the primary way scholars support and persuade their premises and audiences. However, there are different approaches as to how scientists conduct research. For example, depending on the relationships among variables, a researcher can choose an experimental or non-experimental approach. (Cozby & Bates, 2017). The discussion below will compare and contrast non-experimental and experimental techniques and their strengths and weaknesses in respect to research.
PredictorVariable
Before divining in, I will define the most commonly used terms within non-experimental and experimental research. In our last discussion, we identified dependent and independent variables. Today I will define predictor variables. A predictor variable is the part of the research experiment being manipulated to observe effects on dependent variables. For example, a researcher might ask: “what soft drink do people drink more, Coca-Cola or Pepsi?” The predictor variable is the type of soft drink, and the dependent variables are the people or “subjects” in the study (Blakstad, n.d.).
Experimental Research
Experimental research is used when a researcher finds that they can manipulate the predictor variable (and subjects) to detect a cause-and-effect relationship (Cozby & Bates, 2017). Typically, experimental research is conducted in a lab where one group, “Group X,” is being manipulated while the other group, “Group Y,” is placed in aplacebogroup or non-manipulated group. Selecting subjects at random and placing them in either a placebo group or experimental group eliminates the influences of confounding variables, also known as “randomization” (Cozby & Bates, 2017, p.88). A laboratory-based experiment is ideal for experimental research because it provides a high level of control and reliability.
Nonexperimental Research
Non-experimental researchis where a researcher cannot manipulate, alter, or control the predictor variable or subjects. Non-experimental researchdepends on interactions, observations, and interpretations to capture results. Consequently, this means that the non-experimental researcher must rely on case studies, surveys, or correlations and cannot establish or detect a genuine cause-and-effect relationship. Non-experimental research tends to have a high external validity level, meaning it can be generalized to a larger population (Cozby & Bates, 2017).
Experimental Research vs. Nonexperimental Research
In light of this information, it is apparent that the critical differences between experimental and non-experimental research are methodology and procedure. In short, experimental researchers can perform experiments on people and manipulate predictor variables. Non-experimental researchers, however, are forced to examine, monitor, and interpret what they are observing.
Pros & Cons of Nonexperimental Research
From what I gather, there appears to be only one disadvantage to conducting non-experimental research – it cannot find cause-and-effect relationships. However, non-experimental research does have at least some advantages over experimental design. A non-experimental study can detect and formulate conclusions where experimental research cannot. For example, an experimental researcher cannot manipulate predictor variables like age, ethnicity, prison sentences, bereavement, and current opinions. However, non-experimental researchers can formulate conclusions based on observing those predictor variables (Blakstad, n.d.).
References
Blakstad, O., (n.d.). Experimental research. Explorable.com. https://explorable.com/experimental-research
Cozby, P. & Bates, S. (2017).Methods in behavioral research (13th ed). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
4:47pmMar 18 at 4:47pm
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Nonexperimental and Experimental Methods
The nonexperimental research method is when the researcher has no control over the participants in the study they are conducting. This would be like the research that will be conducted for my topic, studies of employees being satisfied with their job and managers' ability to assist during the pandemic, in regards to their mental health needs. An example of this would be asking the participants in an open-ended question or interviewing their feelings on specific subject matters as it relates to the study being conducted. The researcher has no control over what they say in their responses or even if it is relevant. A downside of nonexperimental research is that it does a poor job of showing a cause-and-effect relationship between two variables. Cozby and Bates, 2017 also brought a third variable to the table, an extraneous variable. Example: having the ability to be free and move around, not being in zoom meetings every moment of the workday, therefore the satisfaction levels are increased.
On the other hand, the experimental research methods are much more clear and defined. The researcher controls one variable (independent) and measures the other one (dependent). In this type of research, there is no third variable because it is much more controlled. A disadvantage of this is that in some cases not all variables can be controlled, so therefore it can limit what type of research is conducted. This would be less with people's feelings and more with cold hard facts such as did the cat eat the wet or dry food. It's a plain choice, there are only 4 options to the answer.
References
Cozby, P. & Bates, S. (2017).Methods in behavioral research (13th ed). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
Jhangiani, Rajiv S. (2013). RESEARCH METHODS IN PSYCHOLOGY – 2ND CANADIAN EDITION. Retrieved from:https://opentextbc.ca/researchmethods/chapter/overview-of-nonexperimental-research/(Links to an external site.)