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¶ … experimental strategies of inquiry.
Quantitative methods: Surveys vs. experiments
Surveys are primarily used to compile data on a particular phenomenon. Cross-sectional studies attempt to encapsulate a phenomenon that is occurring at a particular point in time while longitudinal studies track a phenomenon for an extended duration of time (Survey methods, 2013, IS School). Regardless, the purpose of surveys is informative. The method is not designed come to a conclusion about why something is taking place and how we should address it. For example, a cross-sectional survey might attempt to discern the patterns of Internet use of low-income students within a particular district. A longitudinal study might track those patterns of Internet use over time. Surveys can be useful to gather data for experiments even though they rarely establish causal relationships themselves.
An experiment, in contrast, poses a hypothesis that can be proven or disproven....
The experimenter understands that many different factors can affect outcomes, so a control group will be used that is similar to the experimental group, except for the presence of the independent variable that is being tested. There is "constancy of conditions across groups (aside from experimental manipulation" and assignments to control groups are randomized (Data collection, n.d., Research PO 390W: 2). The experimenter manipulates the introduction of the independent variable. The dependent variable is the result that is produced that may or may not prove the initial hypothesis (Independent vs. dependent variables, 2013, UNCP). For example, the experimenter might hypothesize that a lack of Internet access is associated with low grades for low-income students, because of lack of informational resources at home. "The experiment is the most systematic and fruitful form of data collection in the social sciences" (Data collection, n.d., Research PO 390W: 3). However, ruling…
Experimental design employs comparison as its strategy for the given research. It uses two groups, which the researcher uses for comparison purposes. These include the experimental group and a control group. The two groups used in a study have similarities, but the experimental group uses the independent variable, whereas the researcher the control group is not assignment of subjects to either control or experimental group because it is central to
Experimental, and Survey Research Social researchers have a wide array of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies available to them, including field, experimental and survey research. Each of these research methodologies has some strengths and weaknesses that make them better suited for some applications than others. The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of the relevant literature concerning field, experiment and survey research to identify their respective strengths
Experimental Research Methods in Business Experimental Research Methods The author provides a survey of the literature illustrating applied experimental research methods in cross-sections of business and organization types. The advantages and disadvantages of the experimental research methods are discussed for each of the examples provided which run the gamut from depression-era agricultural economics to research conducted for the National Science Institute. While the article focuses on business research methods, the range of
Mixed Methods Benefits and challenges of Qualitative, Quantitative and mixed methods approaches to research Benefits and Challenges of Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approach to Research In any type of research, it is possible to characterize a research's study methodology as qualitative, quantitative, or one that involves the two methods, in which case it becomes a mixed method approach. Moreover, the term research design is popular in research, but it takes varied
(Niglas, 2004) Stated to be research questions that should guide the empirical study design are those as follows: (1) How have quantitative and qualitative elements been related? What type of combined designs have been sued? What is the level of integration between qualitative and quantitative aspects of studies? (2) Why have the authors chosen to prefer multimethod or mixed design to monomethod approach? Do they offer a rationale for their choice? What
Said factors certainly do nothing to discredit the relevance of this tool's use in qualitative research, but they do suggest that such research methodology may well be complimented by the implementation of additional data-gathering methods that is driven by quantitative measure. Namely, it should be seen as a primary benefit of the questionnaire that its ergonometry of inquiries should serve in a degree as a means to internal variable control.