Experimental research is the most appropriate way for drawing causal conclusions, regarding interventions or treatments and establishing whether or not one or more factors causes a change in an outcome. This is largely due to the emphasis in controlling extraneous variables. If other variables are controlled, the researcher can say with confidence that manipulation independent variable caused a changed in the dependent variable. It is a basic, straightforward, efficient type of research that can be applied across a variety of disciplines. Experimental research designs are repeatable and therefore, results can be checked and verified. Due to the controlled environment of experimental research, better results are often achieved. In the case of laboratory research, conditions not found in a natural setting can be created in an experimental setting that allows for greater control of extraneous variables. Conditions that may take longer to occur in a natural environment may occur more quickly in an experimental setting. There are many variations of experimental research and the researcher can tailor the experiment while still maintaining the validity of the design. Limitations and Disadvantages: Experimental research can create artificial situations that do not always represent real-life situations. This is largely due to fact that all other variables are tightly controlled which may not create a fully realistic situation. Because the situations are very controlled and do not often represent real life, the reactions of the test subjects may not be true indicators of their behaviors in a non-experimental environment. Human error also plays a key role in the validity of the project as discussed in previous modules. It may not be really possible to control all extraneous variables. The health, mood, and life experiences of the test subjects may influence their reactions and those variables may not even be known to the researcher. The research must adhere to ethical standards in order to be valid. These will be discussed in the next module of this series. Experimental research designs help to ensure internal validity but sometimes at the expense of external validity. When this happens, the results may not be generalizable to the larger population. If an experimental study is conducted in its natural environment, such as a hospital or community, it may not be possible to control the extraneous variables. Experimental research is a powerful tool for determining or v
Little too long, m8... XD What can you understand from this?
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