DEFINITION: Experimental research is a scientific research method used to investigate the causal relationship between variables. It involves conducting controlled experiments, typically in a laboratory setting, to manipulate one or more independent variables and observe their effect on one or more dependent variables. The goal of experimental research is to determine whether changes in the independent variable(s) cause changes in the dependent variable(s). The research should establish a notable cause and effect.
PROCESS OF EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH:
?The research process consists of a series of systematic procedures that a researcher must go through in order to generate knowledge that will be considered valuable by the project and focus on the relevant topic.
To conduct effective research, you must understand the research process steps and follow them. Here are a few steps in the research process to make it easier for you:
Step 1: Identify the Problem?
Finding an issue or formulating a research question is the first step. A well-defined?research problem?will guide the researcher through all stages of the research process, from setting objectives to choosing a technique. There are a number of approaches to get insight into a topic and gain a better understanding of it. Such as:
- A preliminary survey
- Case studies
- Interviews with a small group of people
- Observational survey
Step 2: Evaluate the Literature
A thorough examination of the relevant studies is essential to the?research process. It enables the researcher to identify the precise aspects of the problem. Once a problem has been found, the investigator or researcher needs to find out more about it.
This stage gives problem-zone background. It teaches the investigator about previous research, how they were conducted, and its conclusions. The researcher can build consistency between his work and others through a literature review. Such a review exposes the researcher to a more significant body of knowledge and helps him follow the research process efficiently.
Step 3: Create Hypotheses
Formulating an original hypothesis is the next logical step after narrowing down the research topic and defining it. A belief solves logical relationships between variables. In order to establish a hypothesis, a researcher must have a certain amount of expertise in the field.?
It is important for researchers to keep in mind while formulating a hypothesis that it must be based on the research topic. Researchers are able to concentrate their efforts and stay committed to their objectives when they develop theories to guide their work.
Step 4: The Research Design?
Research design?is the plan for achieving objectives and answering research questions. It outlines how to get the relevant information. Its goal is to design research to test hypotheses, address the research questions, and provide decision-making insights.
The research design aims to minimize the time, money, and effort required to acquire meaningful evidence. This plan fits into four categories:
- Exploration and Surveys
- Experiment
- Data Analysis
- Observation?
Step 5: Describe Population
Research projects usually look at a specific group of people, facilities, or how technology is used in the business. In research, the term population refers to this study group. The research topic and purpose help determine the study group.
Suppose a researcher wishes to investigate a certain group of people in the community. In that case, the research could target a specific age group, males or females, a geographic location, or an ethnic group. A final step in a study’s design is to specify its sample or population so that the results may be generalized.
Data collection is important in obtaining the knowledge or information required to answer the research issue. Every research collected data, either from the literature or the people being studied. Data must be collected from the two categories of researchers. These sources may provide primary data.
- Experiment
- Questionnaire
- Observation
- Interview
Secondary data categories are:
- Literature survey
- Official, unofficial reports
- An approach based on library resources
During research design, the researcher plans data analysis. After collecting data, the researcher analyzes it. The data is examined based on the approach in this step. The research findings are reviewed and reported.
Data analysis involves a number of closely related stages, such as setting up categories, applying these categories to raw data through coding and tabulation, and then drawing statistical conclusions. The researcher can examine the acquired data using a variety of statistical methods.
Step 8: The Report-writing
After completing these steps, the researcher must prepare a report detailing his findings. The report must be carefully composed with the following in mind:
The Layout:?On the first page, the title, date, acknowledgments, and preface should be on the report. A table of contents should be followed by a list of tables, graphs, and charts if any.
- Introduction:?It should state the research’s purpose and methods. This section should include the study’s scope and limits.
- ?Summary of Findings:?A non-technical summary of findings and recommendations will follow the introduction. The findings should be summarized if they’re lengthy.
- Principal Report:?The main body of the report should make sense and be broken up into sections that are easy to understand.
- Conclusion:?The researcher should restate his findings at the end of the main text. It’s the final result.
IMPORTANCE OF EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH:
Experimental research plays a crucial role in the field of scientific inquiry and has several important advantages and contributions:
- Establishing Causation: Experimental research is particularly valuable for determining causal relationships between variables. By systematically manipulating one or more independent variables and observing their effects on dependent variables, researchers can draw strong conclusions about cause and effect. This is essential for advancing our understanding of how various phenomena work.
- Control and Precision: Experiments offer a high degree of control over the research environment. Researchers can carefully design experiments to isolate specific variables, control for extraneous factors, and minimize bias. This control helps ensure that observed effects are more likely to be attributable to the manipulated variables, enhancing the validity of the findings.
- Hypothesis Testing: Experimental research allows researchers to test hypotheses rigorously. Hypotheses are statements or predictions about expected outcomes, and experiments provide a systematic way to confirm or refute these hypotheses. This process contributes to the development and refinement of scientific theories.
- Replicability and Reliability: Experiments can be replicated by other researchers, which is a fundamental aspect of the scientific method. Replication helps verify the robustness and consistency of findings. If different researchers can reproduce the same results under similar conditions, it increases confidence in the validity of those results.
- Generalization: Well-designed experimental studies can yield findings that are generalizable to broader populations or situations. By carefully controlling experimental conditions and using random sampling techniques, researchers can make more meaningful statements about how certain variables might behave in the real world.
- Innovation and Advancement: Experimental research often leads to discoveries and innovations. By testing hypotheses and manipulating variables, researchers can uncover new insights, develop new technologies, or identify potential applications in various fields.
- Problem Solving: Experimental research can be instrumental in addressing real-world problems. Researchers can design experiments to test solutions or interventions in areas such as medicine, engineering, environmental science, and social sciences. The results can inform evidence-based decision-making and policy development.
- Scientific Progress: Experimental research contributes to the cumulative body of scientific knowledge. Over time, a series of well-designed experiments can lead to the development of theories that explain complex phenomena. These theories can serve as a foundation for further research and exploration.
- Educational Tool: Experimental research is an essential component of science education. It helps students learn critical thinking skills, the scientific method, and the importance of empirical evidence. Hands-on experimentation can make abstract concepts more tangible and engaging.
ADVANTAES AND DISADVANTGES:
- Causation: Experimental research is excellent for establishing causation or cause-and-effect relationships between variables. By manipulating the independent variable(s) and measuring the resulting changes in the dependent variable(s), researchers can draw strong conclusions about the impact of the independent variable(s).
- Control: Experiments provide a high degree of control over the research environment. Researchers can carefully design and control experimental conditions, reducing the influence of extraneous variables and increasing the internal validity of the study.
- Precision: Experimental research allows for precise measurement and observation. Researchers can use standardized instruments and procedures to collect data, enhancing the reliability of the results.
- Replicability: Experiments can be replicated by other researchers, which is a fundamental aspect of the scientific method. Replication helps validate the reliability and generalizability of findings.
- Hypothesis Testing: Experiments enable researchers to test specific hypotheses rigorously. This process contributes to theory development and refinement.
- Generalization: With proper experimental design and random sampling techniques, researchers can generalize findings to broader populations or situations.
- Innovation: Experimental research often leads to discoveries and innovations. It can result in the development of new technologies, treatments, or solutions to real-world problems.
- Educational Value: Experimental research is a valuable tool for teaching critical thinking skills and the scientific method in educational settings.?
- Ethical Constraints: Some experiments may raise ethical concerns, particularly when they involve human subjects. Researchers must adhere to ethical guidelines, which can limit the scope of experiments.
- Simplification of Reality: Experiments often take place in controlled environments, which may oversimplify real-world complexities. The findings may not fully capture the complexity of natural settings.
- Limited Applicability: The controlled nature of experiments can sometimes limit the generalizability of findings to real-world situations. Results obtained in a lab may not necessarily translate to everyday contexts.
- Resource-Intensive: Experimental research can be resource-intensive in terms of time, funding, and personnel. Setting up controlled experiments and collecting data can be costly and time-consuming.
- External Validity: The focus on control in experiments can lead to concerns about external validity, which refers to the extent to which findings can be generalized to different populations or settings. Overly controlled experiments may lack external validity.
- Participant Bias: Participants in experiments may behave differently due to the awareness of being in an experiment (the Hawthorne effect) or because they try to conform to perceived expectations (social desirability bias).
- Unethical Manipulation: In some cases, the manipulation of independent variables may be considered unethical or impractical. For example, it may not be ethical to expose participants to harmful or dangerous conditions for research purposes.
- Time Sensitivity: Some research questions may involve processes or phenomena that unfold over long periods, making experimental research impractical or infeasible.
In summary, experimental research is a valuable method for investigating causation and testing hypotheses under controlled conditions. However, it is not always the best approach for every research question, and researchers must carefully consider the advantages and disadvantages in the context of their specific study objectives and ethical considerations.
