What Is Experimental Research Design?

Designing research experiments is not just for pharmaceutical companies and individuals in white lab coats. The scientific method can be employed to examine many questions with a sturdy research design.

Definition

• Researchers design experiments to test hypotheses by controlling the factors of the experiment to determine or predict an outcome based on independent and dependent variables. Experimental research design provides the framework in which a researcher shapes an experiment.

Factors

• Many factors must be taken into account when designing a research experiment. Beyond the actual design and group selections, researchers must account for feasibility of the study, cost, time, ethics, how the study can be measured and the validity of the study.

Types

• Some of the most common types of experimental research design include pretest-posttest design, Solomon four-group design and matched subjects design. Pretest-posttest design checks the groups before and after the manipulations begin. One problem with this design is that pre-testing can affect the outcome.

  Solomon four-group design employs two control and two experimental groups. This allows pre-testing half of the study to determine the effect of the pre-test.

  Matched subjects design pairs participants to form both control and experimental groups.