This document discusses experimental and non-experimental research methods. Experimental research involves manipulating an independent variable and measuring its effects on a dependent variable, while controlling for other influences. It uses random assignment to experimental and control groups. Quasi-experimental research has less control and randomization. Non-experimental research observes relationships through methods like surveys and case studies but cannot prove causation. Surveys are a common non-experimental method used in fields like sociology to understand opinions, conditions, and social issues in a timely manner, though they have weaknesses in establishing variable relationships.

1. Experimental
and non-
experimental
research
Practical Research 2 | 13 October 2022

2. Recall a time in science
class when you did a small
experiment.
Can you recall some of the
processes that your
science teacher asked you
to do?

3. "Experimental research...
treats or deals with the object or
subject of the research inadefiniteor
exactmanner and determines the
extentoftheeffectsorinfluence of the
treatment on the object/subject, then
discovers thecauses of such effects."
(Barraceros 2018)

4. "[It] utilizes the principle of
manipulation of the independent
variables and examines its cause-
and-effect relationship on the
dependent variables by
controllingtheeffectsofother
variables."
(SAGE)

5. experimental group
vs.
controlled group

6. True experimental
research uses absolutely
randomselection in
determining the
composition of the
experimental and control
groups.

7. In quasi-experimental
research, on the other hand, a
comparative technique is
adopted to choose the
subjects. There is, therefore,
a degree of the researcher's
influence in sampling or
subject selection.

8. The "hard sciences"
usually employ true
experimental research,
while soft sciences
(psych, socio, educ,
socsci, etc.) employ quasi-
experimental.

9. "Non-experimental research
...[finds] out truths about a
subject by describing the
collected data about such subject
and determining their
relationships or connections with
one another."
(Barraceros 2018)

10. Characteristics:
1) unable to establish cause-
effect relationships
2) uses methods applicable
to both qualitative and
quantitative research

11. Characteristics:
3) collects data through
survey, observation,
historical studies, case
studies, documentary
analysis, etc.

12. What do you think is the
most common form of non-
experimental research?

13. "[Surveys] aim at knowing
what a big number of people
think and feel about some
sociological issues."
Surveys are mostly used in the
fields of sociology, psychology,
and the humanities.

14. Purposes of survey research
(Barraceros, 2018):
1) to obtain info about people's
opinions and feelings about an
issue
2) to identify present condition,
needs, or problems of people in
a short span of time

15. Purposes of survey research
(Barraceros, 2018):
3) to seek answers to social
problems
4) to give institutions pointers
on offerings, services,
evaluation of personnel, etc.

16. Strengths of surveys:
1) versatility
2) efficiency
3) generality
4) confidentiality

17. Weaknesses of surveys:
1) cannot provide sufficient
evidence about the
relationships of variables
2) researcher cannot control
and manipulate some factors
affecting the study

18. "Variables are the 'changing
qualities or characteristics' of
persons such as age, gender,
intelligences, achievements,
confidence, etc."

19. independent variables
vs.
dependent variables
extraneous variables
confounding variables