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.