3. RESEARCH CLASSIFICATIONS
(Experimental)
Research Classifications
System #1:
Basic research
Applied research
System #2:
Quantitative research
Qualitative research
System #3:
Experimental research
Nonexperimental
research
Research Classifications
Basic vs. Applied Research
Basic
Pure, fundamental
research
Discovery of new
knowledge; theoretical
in nature
Takes many years for the
results of basic research
to find some practical
utility
Applied
Central purpose to solve
an immediate problem
Improved products or
processes
Infers beyond the group
or situation studied
Interpretation of results
relies upon Basic
research
Both types of research follow the same steps of
systematic inquiry to arrive at solutions to problems.
Research Classifications
Quantitative vs. Qualitative
Quantitative
Numerical, measurable data
(Sampling, Measurement &
Data Collection)
Traditional or positivist
approach
Clearly stated questions
Rational hypotheses
Developed research
procedures
Extraneous variable controls
Large samples
Traditional, statistical
analyses
Qualitative
Generally non-numerical
data (Survey Research, Action
Research, Case Study Research )
Typically anthropological
and sociological research
methods
Observations of a “natural”
setting
In-depth descriptions of
situations
Interpretive and descriptive
Research Classifications
Experimental vs. Nonexperimental
Experimental
IVs and DVs
Cause-and-effect
Extraneous variable
controls
3 fundamental
characteristics
1.
2.
3.
At least 1 active IV
Extraneous var controls
Observation of the DV
response to the IV
Nonexperimental
Causal-comparative
2. Descriptive
3. Correlational
4. Historical
1.
Research Classifications
Steps to Experimental Research
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Identifying the research question or problem
area
Initial review of literature
Distilling the question to a specific research
problem
Continued review of literature
Formulation of hypotheses
Determining the basic research approach
Identifying the population and sample
Research Classifications
Steps to Experimental Research
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Designing data collection plan
Selecting or developing specific data collection
instruments or procedures
Choosing the method of data analysis
Implementing the research plan
Preparing the research report
Categories of Engineering Research
Research in Engineering can be grouped as
follows:
The study of what is possible
Including both mathematical and less rigorous forms of
theorising.
The study of existing (naturally occurring)
Including information processing systems E.g. animals,
societies, brains, minds, ....
Research involving creation of new
useful information processing systems, and research
directly related to engineering applications.
The creation and evaluation of tools,
Including formalisms and techniques to support all these
activities.
Experimental Research
Experimental
Quantitative
Basic
Applied
Experimental Research
Nonexperimental
Correlational
Basic
Applied
Descriptive
Basic
Applied
Experimental Research
Evaluation
Experimental Research
What is an Experiment?
Research method in which
conditions are controlled
so that 1 or more independent variables
can be manipulated to test a hypothesis
about a dependent variable.
Allows
evaluation of causal relationships among variables
while all other variables are eliminated or controlled.
Conceptual Framework
Empiricism
Acquiring information and facts through the
observation of our world
Pragmatic observations
Developing
theory through experience and
observation
Non-scientific
Quick and practical solution to a problem
With little interest in explaining when, how, or why
Example: Anabolic steroid use (abuse)…
Variables
Classifications
Qualitative
Ordinal
Nominal
Quantitative
Discrete (scale)
Continuous
Independent variable
(IV)
Dependent variable (DV)
Extraneous variable (EV)
Definitions
Dependent Variable
Criterion by which the results of the experiment are
judged.
Variable that is expected to be dependent on the
manipulation of the independent variable
Independent Variable
Any variable that can be manipulated, or altered,
independently of any other variable
Hypothesized to be the causal influence
Variables
Common IV and DV examples
IVs
Exercise
Diet
Medicine(s)
Drugs
Motivation
Programs
Procedures
Methods
Techniques
DVs
Performance
Fitness
Learning
Health
Knowledge
Behavior
Definitions
Experimental Treatments
Alternative manipulations of the independent variable
being investigated
Experimental Group
Group of subjects exposed to the experimental
treatment
Control Group
Group of subjects exposed to the control condition
Not exposed to the experimental treatment
More Definitions
Test Unit
Entity whose responses to experimental treatments are
being observed or measured
Randomization
Assignment of subjects and treatments to groups is based
on chance
Provides “control by chance”
Random assignment allows the assumption that the groups
are identical with respect to all variables except the
experimental treatment
Constant Error (bias)
Constant error is error that occurs in the same
experimental condition every time the basic experiment is
repeated – a systematic bias
Example:
Experimental groups always administered the treatment in the
morning.
Control groups always in the afternoon.
Introduces an uncontrolled extraneous variable – time of day.
Hence, systematic or constant error.
Extraneous Variables
Variables other than the manipulated variables that affect the
results of the experiment.
Error-producing variables (other than the IVs) that may impact the
DV response. (A.k.a.# Intervening variables, Modifying variables,
Confounding variables).
Can potentially invalidate the results.
Sources of Constant Error
Demand Characteristics
Experimental design procedures or situational aspects of
the experiment that provide unintentional hints to subjects
about the experimenter’s hypothesis
If occurs, participants likely to act in a manner consistent with
the experimental treatment.
Most prominent demand characteristic is the person actually
administering the experimental treatments.
Experimenter Bias
Effect on the subjects’ behavior caused by an experimenter’s
presence, actions, or comments.
Guinea Pig Effect
Effect on experimental results caused by subjects changing
normal behavior or attitudes to cooperate with experimenter.
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