Experimental esearch Methods in Business
Experimental esearch 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 examples from multiple disciplines serves to demonstrate the adaptability of various methods to distinct contexts, the importance of thoughtfully developed research questions, and perceptions in the field regarding scientific rigor. The article is intended to guide students in their exploration of the breadth and depth of experimental research methods and to convey a sense of the challenges of applied scientific inquiry.

Introduction

The study of business topics has not always been inherently scientific. Certainly the work of Max Weber and Frederick Winslow….

Trochim (2006) states that a quasi-experimental design is one that looks a bit like an experimental design but lacks the key ingredient -- random assignment. He notes that his mentor [Don Campbell] used to refer to quasi-experiments as "queasy" (2006) experiments because they give the experimental purists a queasy feeling.
With respect to internal validity, they often appear to be inferior to randomized experiments. But there is something compelling about these designs; taken as a group, they are easily more frequently implemented than their randomized cousins (Trochim 2006).

The most important part of both experimental and quasi-experimental research is the measure of the dependent variable, which it allows for comparison. Some types of data are very straightforward, but there are other measures, but there are other types of data that are completely subjective. In cases where the data is highly subjective, the quasi-experiment will have to have various strategies to compare….

Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Research
Research is imperative to quality analysis and development of theories. In any science, no matter if it is a physical, psychological, or sociological, research is integral to formulation of working theories. ithout research, not only can problems not be solved but problems cannot even be properly determined. Having said that, it is important to understand that there are many different types of research methodology. Not all forms of research, and thus the data that they collect, are created equal. Some methods of research are far superior to others and the findings of researchers more influential and verifiable than research conducted in other methods. In The Research Methods Knowledge Base, authors Trochim and Donnelly (2008) discuss the importance of research and also explain the difference between types of research that can be conducted. Two types of research that they explore are experimental and quasi-experimental and in so doing….

e., contemporary or historical issues (Eisenhardt 1989; in Naslund, 2005);
(3) the extent of control required over behavioral events in the research context (Yin 1994; as cited in Naslund, 2005); and (4) the researcher's philosophical stance, i.e., his/her understanding of the nature of social reality and how knowledge of that reality can be gained. (Naslund, 2005)

Naslund (2005) states that qualitative research methods "primarily create meanings and explanations to research phenomena" and include data collection methods such as:

(1) Observation;

(2) Fieldwork including interviews and questionnaires, diary methods, documents and texts, case studies; and (3) the researcher's impressions and reactions to observed phenomena. Quantitative research methods serve to make provision of a broad range of situations as well as being fast and economical.

Commonly utilized quantitative research methods include those of:

(1) Laboratory experiments;

(2) Formal methods; and (3) Numerical methods and techniques. (Naslund, 2005)

Naslund states that analysis identifies a number of interesting trends and trends that….

Experimental Research Argument
y examining Einstein's statement on research - "if we knew what we were doing, It would not be called research, would it?" - one can see that he means research is designed as a way to learn and experiment. It is used to find things out and discover things, which is why people spend so much time on it. They do not always know what they are doing, many believe, but they know what they want to discover. They have to use various methods to find what they want to know, and sometimes there is a great deal of trial and error involved in finding the answer to the question. Einstein believed that there were many ways in which people could discover the world around them, and it was clear by his life's work that he was dedicated to doing all he could to advance science and humanity….

Experimental Research
An experiment is a form of quantitative research that tests causal relationships. The researcher manipulates and controls the conditions under which individuals are observed to behave. Experimental research starts with a hypothesis and then modifies something in a particular relationship. The researcher has control over the environment, variables and individuals under study. At the end of the experiment, the outcome is compared with the situation before the modification. An experiment consists of a number of components:

Treatment or independent variable

Dependent variable

Pre-test

Post-test

Experimental group

Control group

Random assignment

Classical Experimental, Pre-Experimental, Quasi-Experimental and the Solomon Four-Group designs all differ in how they treat these components, thus impacting the reliability and validity of the experiment.

Classical Experimental Design comprises random assignment of cases to groups, a pre-test and a post-test, an experimental group and a control group. Each group is exposed to different conditions or stimulus materials. Random assignment is used to increase the likelihood that each….

Experimental esearch and eport Writing
esearch has shown that organizational strategies aid in memorization tasks such as word recall. Several studies have shown the effectiveness of using organizational strategies such as hierarchical categorization in aiding in word recall. Our experiment, a partial replication of the study conducted by Bower et al. (1969), examined the impacts of hierarchical word lists on word recall. College students were presented with word lists that were arranged either randomly or in categories. The number of words correctly recalled was measured for each participant. While our results were not as definitive as Bower et al. (1969) study, they do yield implications for further research for additional age groups.

The Impact of Categorization on Word ecall

Introduction

esearch has shown that organizational strategies aid in memorization tasks such as word recall. Matlin (2002) presents four such organizational strategies: chunking, first-letter technique, narrative technique, and hierarchy technique. In chunking, small bits….

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.
eview 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,….

Motivation
Experimental Research on Motivation

Among the psychological variables discussed, motivation is the psychological variable that I have the most interest in, primarily because it helps uncover the 'mystery' of why we are drive to successfully accomplish tasks and activities. Motivation is at the center of every individual who makes a decision to commit an action or behavior; it develops within the individual the willingness to commit to change through his/her own actions. Whether or not the motivation was positively generated, motivation remains a key component to understanding the human psyche.

Take as an example weight loss or diet programs. These programs are anchored on the premise that given the correct motivation, individuals can successfully achieve weight loss. Weight programs are driven only by two important factors: the trainer's support to the individual in the program, developing the right motivation in him/her, and the individual's motivation to successfully finish the program. There could….

As such the research investigator is obliged to set for a research question that asks whether or not the application of a treatment will affect the outcome of a selected measurement variable. The stated research purpose of the Blanzola investigation was to determine whether or not a nursing internship program at a U.S. naval hospital would effect the core competencies of those nurses who attended the internship program vs. those nurse who did not attend. Although the purpose of the study was clearly defined the authors failed to format the research purpose into a well-defined research question followed by a properly stated testable null hypothesis. Blanzola and her two co-authors, in following best-fit research protocol should have stated the research question as follows: To what extent will participation in a naval hospital internship program affect the level of core competency attainment by those nurses who participate in the internship….

Quantitative vs. Qualitative Research According to Lopez-Alvarado (2017) and Muijs (n.d.), research design decisions are linked to ontology and epistemology. Ontology refers to the researcher’s beliefs about whether reality is absolute or contextual, universal or relative. Whether the researcher is a realist or a relativist determines research questions and designs, with an increased tendency for relativists to focus on phenomenological and qualitative methods and a realist to use quantitative methods. Muijs (n.d.) describes quantitative research as using numerical data and mathematical methods, showing how a realist will use these types of methods to seek for an objective truth. Likewise, epistemology refers to how the researcher acquires knowledge, or what sources of knowledge are deemed valid. A researcher who believes in absolutism and realism will veer towards quantitative methods, which yield absolute and generalizable results. On the other hand, a researcher who values subjectivity would take a phenomenological and qualitative approach. Lopez-Alvarado….

Halcomb, Peters, and Mclennes (2015) aims at examining pre-registration nurses' experiences in community clinic assignments as well as the effect such assignment has on their education. The authors have determined that clinical assignments to community facilities may offer nursing undergraduates important opportunities for learning. The research was conducted using a qualitative study design.
The research work attempts at examining pre-registration nurses' experiences in community clinic assignments as well as the effect such assignment has on their education.

Statement of Purpose

For promoting the profession of primary healthcare, comprehending pre-registration pupils' experiences within primary care contexts at the time of clinical assignment is vital.

In spite of the observable advantages such assignment have for pupils, poor supervisor-student relationships, work climates that do not foster a sense of belonging, and the absence of adequate guidance and monitoring are proven to have strong links to exacerbated anxiety and stress levels, greater pupil attrition and an inferior….

Methodology for Why Having a College Education is More Beneficial as Opposed to not Having a College EducationIntroductionThe purpose of this research study is to investigate the benefits of having a college education as opposed to not having a college education. The study will explore the effects of a college education on career opportunities, earning potential, and overall quality of life.ParticipantsThe population for this study will be individuals aged 25 and above who have completed high school or its equivalent. Participants will be selected through random sampling using online survey tools such as Qualtrics or SurveyMonkey. The sample size will be 500 participants, with 250 participants having a college education and 250 participants without a college education. To ensure an equal distribution of gender, age, and ethnicity, the sample will be stratified.MaterialsThe survey instrument used will be a structured questionnaire consisting of both open-ended and close-ended questions. The questionnaire will….

Comparing and Contrasting Experimental and Correlational esearch DesignsThe two research methods are both quantitative research methods. Experimental research designs are mainly used to investigate causal relationships and studying relationships between one variable and another. Correlational research designs mainly try to establish if there is a relationship between two variables. Correlational research is nonexperimental because the researcher will be measuring two variables and assessing their statistical relationship. While experimental research will make use of independent and dependent variables, correlational research will not use any of these variables. In experimental research, the researcher can manipulate one of the variables, but for correlational research, no variable is manipulated but both variables are measured. The two research designs make use of hypothesis and the difference will come out based on whether the researcher assigned the participants to particular groupings or they just asked the participants the intended questions. In essence, correlational research does not….

Education
Ndunda (2004) defines research as the systematic use of several techniques to generate credible information regarding problems. This process helps in providing reliable and verifiable information rather than assumptions regarding the issue or problem being examined. Based on this definition, the research process can be defined as collecting and analyzing information regarding a specific issue to generate reliable information that leads to accurate conclusions. In most cases, the research process helps in generating information that can be utilized in effective decision making regarding a specific issue or problem. In the field of education, the research process involves the use of different techniques/methods to analyze an issue and provide reliable information about it.

In light of the definition of the research process, there are several steps involved with conducting research in order to generate reliable information. The first step in conducting research is identifying the issue or topic, which needs to….