Experimental research design

Meaning

Experimental design is a type of research where the effects of variables on a particular phenomenon is
studied. Variables are controlled or experimented wherever required. One field is known as controlled
field where the variables are controlled and the other where the extra variable is added and tested is
known as the experimental field.

There are three types of experimental designs

(In your exam please draw with pictures/diagrams and explain. Here i have not drawn due to lack of
time)

1. After only design -

This is exactly the first experiment we learnt. Where chemical fertilizer is added in one field and in
another nothing is added. All other variables are kept constant. Later , we calculate during harvest, what
was the affect of fertilizer on the produce.

Pls note :- In this design, we do not first check the produce without experimental variable . We directly
start with the experimental variable. So this is known as after only design.

2. One group before after design

Here there are no two fields. There is only one field. But we measure it two times, Before and after.

Eg. In the months Jan, Feb, March we measure the harvest without chemical fertilizer. Suppose the
produce for Jan, feb Mar comes to 1000. Then in the month of Apr, May ,June we add chemical fertilizers
and then check the harvest. Suppose it has come to 1200. The increase of 2oo can be attributed to
chemical fertilizer. (Another example is showing a movie to a set of people about not to drink while
driving and then later measuring their attitudes after seeing the movie)

3. Before after design with control group

Here there are two fields. And you perform both before and after experiment .

For ex- There are Two fields A and B . In A for Jan, Feb and March you count the harvest (assuming you
got the figure as 800) . Then add the chemical fertilizer to this field . Then again in April , may, June you
wait and do the harvest ( assuming the figure is 800) . Repeat the same procedure for Field B. Assume
for Jan feb march the figure comes to 900 and in April, may , june it comes to 1000. Then it means the
net differnce is (1000-900) - (800-800) = 100 -0 = Difference of 100.

One of the quasi experimental design is expost facto design.

When you start from the past and come to present. For example , if people are exposed to good
educational programmes on do not drink and drive, After few months, we can ask people what effect th
programmes had on their behavior toward drinking and driving. What did they feel about educational
program. what memories do they have about programme etc.

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