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in what way is the experimental method superior to descriptive methods

by Titus Padberg PhD Published 1 year ago Updated 1 year ago

Experimental methods help us make discoveries on the “why” of behavior. Conversely, descriptive methods take place in a more natural setting. Descriptive methods help researchers depict a person or group through direct observation.

Descriptive research cannot determine the causality of events and as such cannot make future predictions. Experimental research accurately determines causality and therefore can make future predictions.Sep 25, 2020

Full Answer

What is the difference between descriptive and experimental research?

However, experimental research is different to descriptive research. Now, let us move on to experimental research. What is Experimental Research? Experimental research is a research where the variables are manipulated by the researcher to arrive at conclusions or come across findings.

What is descriptive research methodology?

Descriptive research does not limit to either of quantitative or qualitative research methodologies, but instead, it uses elements of both, often within the same study. Therefore, a descriptive researcher often uses three major ways to collect and analyse the data. They are observations, case studies and surveys.

What is the experimental method in research?

While there are a number of different research techniques, the experimental method allows researchers to look at cause-and-effect relationships. In the experimental method, researchers identify and define key variables, formulate a hypothesis, manipulate the variables and collect data on the results.

What is the simplest form of experimental research design?

It is the simplest form of experimental research design and is treated with no control group. Although very practical, experimental research is lacking in several areas of the true-experimental criteria. The pre-experimental research design is further divided into three types

In what way is the experimental method superior to descriptive methods quizlet?

In what way is the experimental method superior to descriptive methods? The experimental method can determine cause-and-effect relationships.

Which is better experimental or descriptive research?

Use descriptive research when you just have to observe a group in its environment and develop an understanding on the subject. Use experimental research when you have to test a hypothesis or establish a cause-effect relation between two or more variables.

What differentiates experimental methods from descriptive methods?

The main difference between descriptive and experimental research is that descriptive research describes the characteristics of the research subject while the experimental research manipulates the research subject or the variables to come to a conclusion.

What are the main advantages of the experimental method over the descriptive methods of research?

What is the major advantage of the experimental method? It permits conclusions about cause-and-effect relationships between variables. What are the 2 major disadvantages of the experimental method?

Why is experimental research better than descriptive?

Descriptive research cannot determine the causality of events and as such cannot make future predictions. Experimental research accurately determines causality and therefore can make future predictions.

Why descriptive research design is the best?

Descriptive research aims to accurately and systematically describe a population, situation or phenomenon. It can answer what, where, when and how questions, but not why questions. A descriptive research design can use a wide variety of research methods to investigate one or more variables.

How is experimental research different than descriptive and correlational research?

Descriptive research is designed to provide a snapshot of the current state of affairs. Correlational research is designed to discover relationships among variables. Experimental research is designed to assess cause and effect.

How are experiments different from other research methods?

Experimental research is the type of research that uses a scientific approach towards manipulating one or more control variables and measuring their defect on the dependent variables, while non-experimental research is the type of research that does not involve the manipulation of control variables.

What do you understand by descriptive research and differentiate from other type of research?

What is Descriptive Research? Descriptive research is a type of research that describes a population, situation, or phenomenon that is being studied. It focuses on answering the how, what, when, and where questions If a research problem, rather than the why.

What is the advantage of experimental research?

Experimental research allows cause and effect to be determined. The manipulation of variables allows for researchers to be able to look at various cause-and-effect relationships that a product, theory, or idea can produce.

Why is experimental research the best?

Experimental research helps you in gathering the necessary data for you to make better decisions about your proposed hypothesis. The success of experimental research usually confirms that the change observed in the variable under study is solely based on the manipulation of the independent variable.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of experimental method?

List of Advantages of Experimental ResearchIt gives researchers a high level of control. ... It allows researchers to utilize many variations. ... It can lead to excellent results. ... It can be used in different fields. ... It can lead to artificial situations. ... It can take a lot of time and money. ... It can be affected by errors.More items...

In what ways are experimental research designs preferable to correlational or descriptive designs?

Descriptive research is designed to provide a snapshot of the current state of affairs. Correlational research is designed to discover relationships among variables. Experimental research is designed to assess cause and effect.

What is the goal of descriptive research?

The goal of descriptive research is to describe a phenomenon and its characteristics. This research is more concerned with what rather than how or why something has happened.

What is the major difference between descriptive and experimental research quizlet?

Descriptive research is a type of research that simply describes behavior or data through observation research methods whereas experimental research attempt to seek and explain cause and effect relationships by manipulating data.

Which research is more exploratory?

Exploratory research is one of the three main objectives of market research, with the other two being descriptive research and causal research. It is commonly used for various applied research projects. Applied research is often exploratory because there is a need for flexibility in approaching the problem.

Descriptive vs Experimental Research

Descriptive research and experimental research are two types of research that show some differences between them in their characteristics. When spe...

What Is Descriptive Research?

In descriptive research, the researcher makes an attempt to comprehend the different characteristics of the study group or a phenomenon. For this,...

What Is Experimental Research?

Experimental research is a research where the variables are manipulated by the researcher to arrive at conclusions or come across findings. Unlike...

What Is The Difference Between Descriptive and Experimental Research?

Descriptive Research: Descriptive research refers to research that describe a phenomenon or else a group under study.Experimental Research: Experim...

What is the difference between experimental and descriptive research?

The main difference between descriptive and experimental research is that the descriptive research describes the characteristics of the study group or a certain occurrence while the experimental research manipulates the variables to arrive at conclusions.

What are descriptive and experimental research?

Descriptive research and experimental research are two types of research people use when doing varied research studies. Both these research types have their own methods that facilitate the researcher to gain maximum outcomes.

What is Experimental Research?

Experimental research is the research study where the scientist actively influences something to observe the consequences. Experimental research uses manipulation and controlled testing to understand causal processes. Therefore, in this type of research, the researcher manipulates one given variable and controls the others to come to a conclusion.

Why is descriptive research important?

Therefore, descriptive research does not give answers to the cause and effect of the particular occurrence that is studied. Therefore, descriptive research assists to make specific conclusions regarding situations such as marketing products according to the needs of the customers, to estimate the percentages of units in a specified population ...

What is the main focus of descriptive research?

Thus, the main focus of descriptive research is to answer the question ‘what’ with concern to the study group. Moreover, descriptive research, primarily concerned with finding out “what is,” that might be applied to investigate the particular study group or the situation. Therefore, descriptive research does not give answers to ...

What is a true experiment?

This type of research typically includes a hypothesis, a variable that can be manipulated, measured, calculated and compared. Eventually, the collected data and results will either support or reject the hypothesis of the researcher. Therefore, one could call this research type as a true experiment.

What are the three ways a researcher uses to collect and analyse data?

Therefore, a descriptive researcher often uses three major ways to collect and analyse the data. They are observations, case studies and surveys.

What is the difference between descriptive and experimental research?

The most important difference between descriptive research and experimental research is the relationship that can be proven between two variables. In descriptive research, all that can be proven is a correlation. Descriptive research can show a link between two events--a country's average saturated fat consumption and ...

What is descriptive research?

Descriptive research is primarily concerned with taking available data and trying to tease some insight out of that data using statistical analysis. Experimental researchers will often do this same sort of analysis, the difference being that they are also collecting the data. There is a key difference, then, in where the data ...

Can descriptive research show a link between two events?

Descriptive research can show a link between two events--a country's average saturated fat consumption and that same country's rate of heart disease, for instance--but not how that relationship actually works, which is an example of something experimental research could be used to demonstrate.

Is descriptive research used in social science?

Both descriptive and experimental research are used throughout the sciences, for instance, but in many of the social sciences primarily descriptive research is used. Many social sciences, like Political Science or Sociology for example, concern themselves with societal issues, and it would not be practical to, for instance, ...

Is descriptive research a design?

A descriptive research project is fairly straightforward to design, but when designing an experimental project, many additional things have to be considered. Most experimental research, for example, depends on manipulating an independent variable to observe its effect on the dependent variable, but many other incidental variables have ...

What are The Types of Experimental Research Design?

They are of 3 types, namely; pre-experimental, quasi-experimental, and true experimental research.

What are the Data Collection Methods in Experimental Research?

Data collection methods in experimental research are the different ways in which data can be collected for experimental research. They are used in different cases, depending on the type of research being carried out.

What are the Disadvantages of Experimental Research?

It is highly prone to human error due to its dependency on variable control which may not be properly implemented. These errors could eliminate the validity of the experiment and the research being conducted.

What is the difference between independent and extraneous variables?

The independent variables are the experimental treatment being exerted on the dependent variables. Extraneous variables , on the other hand , are other factors affecting the experiment that may also contribute to the change.

Why is it so difficult to conclude a non-experimental study?

This is because it takes place in a real-life setting, where extraneous variables cannot be eliminated. Therefore, it is more difficult to conclude non-experimental studies, even though they are much more flexible and allow for a greater range of study fields.

What is pre experimental design?

In pre-experimental research design, either a group or various dependent groups are observed for the effect of the application of an independent variable which is presumed to cause change. It is the simplest form of experimental research design and is treated with no control group.

What is a quasi experiment?

In quasi-experiments, the participants are not randomly assigned, and as such, they are used in setting s where randomization is difficult or impossible.

What is the purpose of experimental methods?

While there are a number of different research techniques, the experimental method allows researchers to look at cause-and-effect relationships. In the experimental method, researchers identify and define key variables, formulate a hypothesis, manipulate the variables and collect data on the results. Extraneous variables are carefully controlled ...

What is the scientific method used in psychology?

Psychologists, like other scientists, utilize the scientific method when conducting an experiment. The scientific method is a set of procedures and principles that guide how scientists develop research questions, collect data and come to conclusions. The four basic steps of the process are: Forming a Hypothesis.

What is a quasi experiment?

Quasi-Experiments. While lab experiments represent what are known as true experiments, researchers can also utilize a type known as a quasi-experiment. Field experiments can be either quasi-experiments or true experiments.

Why are quasi experiments called natural experiments?

Quasi-experiments are often referred to as natural experiments because the researchers do not have true control over the independent variable.

What is the difference between a hypothesis and an independent variable?

A hypothesis is a tentative statement or guesses about the possible relationship between two or more variables. In our earlier example, the researcher might hypothesize ...

Why are lab experiments so common?

Lab Experiments. Lab experiments are very common in psychology because they allow experimenters more control over the variables. These experiments can also be easier for other researchers to replicate. The problem, of course, is that what takes place in a lab is not always identical to what takes place in the real world.

Why would a researcher choose to use a quasi-experiment?

So why would a researcher choose to use a quasi-experiment? This is a good choice in situations where scientists and interested in studying phenomena in natural, real-world settings. It is also a good choice in situations where researchers cannot ethically manipulate the independent variable in question.

How do descriptive and experimental methods work?

Experimental methods help us make discoveries on the “why” of behavior. Conversely, descriptive methods take place in a more natural setting. Descriptive methods help researchers depict a person or group through direct observation. Sylwester and Purver (2015) used the descriptive method to collect data. Their methods would not apply to experimental methods because it did not require manipulation just the observation of twitter accounts. Researchers gathered accounts from both Republican and Democrats and separated them. The tweets were separated according to party affiliation and evaluated them according to predictions and stereotypes of each group.In addition to research, psychologists also face the challenge of operationally defining variables. By operationally defining definitions we can measure functions, events, or procedures physiologically or numerically. The experiment done by Sylwester and Purver (2015) characterized liberals as having an emphasis on their uniqueness, use of profane language, and tendency to be more anxious in their tweets than conservatives. Contrarily, conservatives were characterized as referencing achievement and religion in their …show more content…

What is the purpose of experimental psychology?

The purpose of experimental psychology is the priority of cause and effect conditions for both natural and social phenomena. It can be possible when the elements, interaction of which is studied in controlled experimental conditions. And the researcher`s control over variables allows him to draw conclusions about cause-effect relationships between them. The laboratory experiments focus on the description of the connections between the behavior and its causes. These connections can be distinguished only when the experimenter has full control over individual`s behavior.…

What is the goal of a research study?

The goal of any research is to obtain findings that are reliable and valid. The reliability of research should always be predictable. High validity also plays a huge role in the success of research. A measure displaying validity is concise, accurate, and shows a significant difference amongst the samples being studied. Another goal of research is to become published in scholarly journal, this process allows for peers to observe your research, help expand future studies, and allows for your research to be retested to ensure reliability. Research was conducted by Sylwester and Purver (2015) on the psychological differences between individuals of different political affiliations based on twitter. Researchers wanted to avoid the use of questionnaires …show more content…

What is the procedure of collecting information about events and processes carefully?

Observation is the procedure of collecting information about events and processes carefully. It involves with seeing and hearing. Defining the problem is when you identify a conflict that requires a solution to be solved. A hypothesis is a proposed explanation based on the evidence and observation. Testing the hypothesis is when we experiment and try to prove that our theory is correct.…

What is the difference between experimental and correlational methods?

Experimental studies allow the researcher to control the variables in the study , while correlational ones involve just looking at the data that already exists. Experimental studies allow the researcher to draw conclusions about one variable causing changes ...

What is controlled experiment?

In a controlled experiment, the research team has control over the independent variable and other aspects of the experiment. This allows the researchers to make conclusions about whether the independent variable really affects the dependent variable, as opposed to the variables changing at the same time through coincidence. The researcher can also eliminate the effects of other variables. For example, the researcher can add precise amounts of fertilizer to different areas of the same wheat field, and measure the differences in wheat yield, as the other other factors, such as rainfall, sun exposure and soil make-up, are the same.

How does a correlation study work?

In a correlation study, the researcher or research team does not have control over the variables in the study. The researcher simply measures the data that she finds in the world. This allows her to see if the two variables are correlated -- whether changes in one are associated with changes in the other. Experimenters in such a study collect existing data, such as economic data from governments, and analyze it using statistical tools. Sometimes, the results of correlation studies can inspire hypothesis that can be tested with a more specific experimental one.

What are the two variables of interest in a basic study?

1 Research Variables. In a basic study, the researcher has two variables of interest -- the dependent variable and the independent variable -- and the researcher believes that the independent variable affects the dependent variable.

Why is correlation important in research?

Experimental studies are often more expensive and difficult to run. Correlation studies can explore a relationship to see if it is worth the later expense of a controlled experiment, as well as study a larger data set than may be feasible in an experiment. Some researchers will use both methods in a study, conducting an experiment and then carrying out correlation analysis on the results.

Can a researcher eliminate the effects of other variables?

The researcher can also elimina te the effects of other variables. For example, the researcher can add precise amounts of fertilizer to different areas of the same wheat field, and measure the differences in wheat yield, as the other other factors, such as rainfall, sun exposure and soil make-up, are the same.

Is fertilizer dependent or independent?

For example, in a study about how using fertilizer increases the amount of wheat grown on a farm, the amount of fertilizer used is the independent variable that affects the amount of wheat that grows, which is the dependent variable.

What is descriptive statistics?

Revised on February 15, 2021. Descriptive statistics summarize and organize characteristics of a data set. A data set is a collection of responses or observations from a sample or entire population. In quantitative research, after collecting data, the first step of statistical analysis is to describe characteristics of the responses, ...

How many steps are there to find standard deviation?

There are six steps for finding the standard deviation:

What are the measures of variability?

Measures of variability give you a sense of how spread out the response values are. The range, standard deviation and variance each reflect different aspects of spread.

What is standard deviation?

The standard deviation ( s) is the average amount of variability in your dataset. It tells you, on average, how far each score lies from the mean. The larger the standard deviation, the more variable the data set is.

When to use bivariate or multivariate?

If you’ve collected data on more than one variable, you can use bivariate or multivariate descriptive statistics to explore whether there are relationships between them. In bivariate analysis, you simultaneously study the frequency and variability of two variables to see if they vary together.

How to find variance of a symlink?

To find the variance, simply square the standard deviation. The symbol for variance is s2.

What is a scatter plot?

A scatter plot is a chart that shows you the relationship between two or three variables. It’s a visual representation of the strength of a relationship. In a scatter plot, you plot one variable along the x-axis and another one along the y-axis. Each data point is represented by a point in the chart.

What Is Experimental Research?

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Experimental research is a scientific approach to research, where one or more independent variables are manipulated and applied to one or more dependent variables to measure their effect on the latter. The effect of the independent variables on the dependent variables is usually observed and recorded over som…
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What Are The Types of Experimental Research Design?

  • The types of experimental research design are determined by the way the researcher assigns subjects to different conditions and groups. They are of 3 types, namely; pre-experimental, quasi-experimental, and true experimental research.
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Examples of Experimental Research

  • Experimental research examples are different, depending on the type of experimental research design that is being considered. The most basic example of experimental research is laboratory experiments, which may differ in nature depending on the subject of research.
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Why Use Experimental Research Design?

  • Experimental research design can be majorly used in physical sciences, social sciences, education, and psychology. It is used to make predictions and draw conclusions on a subject matter. Some uses of experimental research design are highlighted below. 1. Medicine: Experimental research is used to provide the proper treatment for diseases. In most cases, rathe…
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What Are The Disadvantages of Experimental Research?

  1. It is highly prone to human error due to its dependency on variable control which may not be properly implemented. These errors could eliminate the validity of the experiment and the research being...
  2. Exerting control of extraneous variables may create unrealistic situations. Eliminating real-life variables will result in inaccurate conclusions. This may also result in researchers controllin…
  1. It is highly prone to human error due to its dependency on variable control which may not be properly implemented. These errors could eliminate the validity of the experiment and the research being...
  2. Exerting control of extraneous variables may create unrealistic situations. Eliminating real-life variables will result in inaccurate conclusions. This may also result in researchers controlling th...
  3. It is a time-consuming process. So much time is spent on testing dependent variables and waiting for the effect of the manipulation of dependent variables to manifest.
  4. It is expensive.

What Are The Data Collection Methods in Experimental Research?

  • Data collection methods in experimental research are the different ways in which data can be collected for experimental research. They are used in different cases, depending on the type of research being carried out.
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Differences Between Experimental and Non-Experimental Research

  • 1. In experimental research, the researcher can control and manipulate the environment of the research, including the predictor variable which can be changed. On the other hand, non-experimental research cannot be controlled or manipulated by the researcher at will. This is because it takes place in a real-life setting, where extraneous variables cannot be eliminated. Th…
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Conclusion

  • Experimental research designs are often considered to be the standard in research designs. This is partly due to the common misconception that research is equivalent to scientific experiments—a component of experimental research design. In this research design, one or more subjects or dependent variables are randomly assigned to different treatments (i.e. independent …
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1.Difference Between Descriptive and Experimental Research

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4 hours ago A descriptive method that observes & records behavior in natural occurring settings without trying to manipulate or control the situation Surveys, Questionnaires and Interviews A technique for discovering the self-reported attitudes, opinions or behaviors of people usually done by questioning a representative, random sample of people.

2.Differences Between Experimental & Descriptive Research

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24 hours ago  · The scientific method is a set of procedures and principles that guide how scientists develop research questions, collect data, and come to conclusions. The five basic steps of the experimental process are: 1. Identifying a problem to study. Devising the research protocol. Conducting the experiment.

3.Unit 3: Research Methods (Descriptive & Experimental)

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35 hours ago In what way is the experimental method superior to descriptive methods? The experimental method can determine cause-and-effect relationships. A researcher conducted an experiment in which she compared people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s simultaneously.

4.Experimental Research Designs: Types, Examples

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18 hours ago First, the experimental method, which involves manipulation and control to examine a cause and effect relationships . Experimental methods help us make discoveries on the “why” of behavior. Conversely, descriptive methods take place in a more natural setting. Descriptive methods help researchers depict a person or group through direct observation.

5.How the Experimental Method Works in Psychology

Url:https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-the-experimental-method-2795175

3 hours ago  · Types of descriptive statistics. There are 3 main types of descriptive statistics: The distribution concerns the frequency of each value.; The central tendency concerns the averages of the values.; The variability or dispersion concerns how spread out the values are.; You can apply these to assess only one variable at a time, in univariate analysis, or to compare two or more, in …

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