Survey and experimental research designs: similarities and differences

¶ … social science researchers have a number of different types of research designs available to them, including observational studies, correlational research, developmental designs, survey research and experimental designs (Neuman, 2009). This paper reviews the literature concerning quantitative survey research and experimental designs to provide a comparison of their similarities and differences, including their respective processes for selecting an appropriate population sample. In addition, a description of a respective strength and limitation of each design is followed by a conclusion that can be drawn from this comparison. Finally, an explanation concerning ethical, legal, and social-cultural considerations that may be relevant for these designs is followed by a summary of the research and important findings concerning survey and experimental research designs in the conclusion.

Review and Analysis

Two similarities and two differences between the survey and experimental research

Survey and experimental research both use data in the form of numbers rather than qualitative measures (Neuman, 2009). In addition, both survey and experimental research seek to collect as much as data as possible from a large population sampling in order to develop a better understanding about the sample as a whole (Grinnel & Unrau, 2005). Survey research, though, differs from experimental research since it is designed to collect primary data only while experimental research examines differences in the outcomes due to introduction of some type of intervention that requires pre- and post-testing (Neuman, 2009). In addition, survey research can assume a number of different forms, including online, face-to-face or by mail or email while experimental research typically requires personal interaction with subjects (De Vaus, 2002). In general, survey researchers seek to collect responses from as many respondents as possible to promote the trustworthiness of their findings while experimental researchers may use fewer subject to confirm or refute their guiding hypotheses (Neuman, 2009).

Strength and limitation of each design

Survey research provides social researchers with the ability to collect data from a large number of respondents in a cost-effective fashion, but this research design is limited by an inability to probe for additional data concerning interesting responses (Neuman, 2009). Conversely, experimental designs can provide social researchers with original findings that may not be obtainable otherwise, but this research design is labor and cost intensive (Mcconville & Chui, 2007).

Conclusion

Although social science researchers have a number of different types of research designs available to them, some are better suited for some applications than others. Therefore, it is important for researchers to ensure that they select the research design that is most appropriate for this intended outcomes and apply this design according to recommended guidelines.