Experimental research design is a type of quantitative research design that is highly controlled and to study cause and effect with independent and dependent variables. Experimental design is a true experiment in which the researcher manipulates one or more variables to come up with effect on other variables. Random assignment is used. There is a highly controlled environment and there is less chance of bias (McNiff and Petrick, 2022). The type of experimental research chosen has a significant influence on the results of the experiment (Formplus, 2020).
An example of an experimental study is one done on the benefits of resistance training in physically frail elderly. The effect of resistance training alone or combined with multi modal exercise intervention on muscle hypertrophy, maximal strength, power output, functional performance and falls incidence in the frail elderly (Lopez et al., 2017). This is a highly controlled study where specific interventions or independent variables listed has on the frail elderly. The researcher here has control over the independent variable and can change it or alter it to see what changes in the variable being the frail elderly.
Non-experimental research is a type of research that doesn’t include manipulation of control or independent variables. In this research, researchers measure variables as they naturally occur without any further manipulation. This type of research is used when the researcher has no definite research question about a causal relationship between two different variables, and manipulation of the independent variable is impossible. They are used more often when a subject can’t be randomly assigned to a condition, when the subject of the research is about a casual relationship, but the independent variable can’t be manipulated, the research is broad and exploratory, it pertains to a non-casual relationship between variables, and there is limited information that can be accessed about the research subject (Formplus, 2022).
An example of a non-experimental study would be research that carries out a study on ammonia to determine its characteristics, behavior and nature. There is no manipulation here of the control. Ammonia is measured as it naturally occurs without any further manipulation. This study looks at ammonia without direct control. There is no manipulated independent variables so this is non-experimental (Formplus, 2022).
Reference:
Formplus. “Experimental vs Non-Experimental Research: 15 Key Differences.” Formplus, 25 June 2020, www.formpl.us/blog/experimental-non-experimental-research.
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