Research Methodology

NAME ID
1. SHANKAR THAMBIRAJA GS61646
2. ILINADILA BINTI MOHAMMAD KHALID GS62547
3.
4.

EMM5708 AUTOMATION AND ROBOTIC

 Experimental Research

• It 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 some time, to aid researchers in drawing a reasonable conclusion regarding the relationship
between these 2 variable types.
• The experimental research method is widely used in physical and social sciences, psychology, and
education.
• It is based on the comparison between two or more groups with a straightforward logic, which may,
however, be difficult to execute.
 Types of Experimental Research
1. Lab Experiment
• A laboratory experiment is an experiment
conducted under highly controlled conditions (not
necessarily a laboratory), where accurate
measurements are possible.
• The researcher decides where the experiment will
take place, at what time, with which participants,
in what circumstances and using a standardized
procedure.
2. Field Experiment
Field experiments are done in the everyday (i.e. real
life) environment of the participants. The
experimenter still manipulates the independent
variable, but in a real-life setting (so cannot really
control extraneous variables).
3. Natural Experiment
• Natural experiments are conducted in the everyday (i.e.
real life) environment of the participants, but here the
experimenter has no control over the independent
variable as it occurs naturally in real life.
• For example, Hodges and Tizard's
attachment research (1989) compared the long term
development of children who have been adopted,
fostered or returned to their mothers with a control group
of children who had spent all their lives in their biological
families.
 Characteristics of Experimental
Research
• Variables - Experimental research contains dependent, independent and extraneous variables. The
dependent variables are the variables being treated or manipulated and are sometimes called the
subject of the research. 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.

• Setting - The setting is where the experiment is carried out. Many experiments are carried out in the
laboratory, where control can be exerted on the extraneous variables, thereby eliminating them.
Other experiments are carried out in a less controllable setting. The choice of setting used in
research depends on the nature of the experiment being carried out.

• Multivariable Experimental research may include multiple independent variables, e.g., time, skills,
test scores, etc.
 Key Terminology in Experimental
Research
• Keywords in experimental research:
• Below, a list of key terminology which is used in experimental research is provided:
• Independent Variable (IV) – This variable will be manipulated, that can be called the “cause” or
treatment variable.
• Dependent Variable (DV) – This variable is the “effect” or outcome of manipulating the independent
variable. The crucial point here is that the outcome must be measurable.
• Extraneous Variable - All variables, which are not the independent variable, but could affect the
results (DV) of the experiment. EVs should be controlled where possible.
• Experimental Group – It is the group that receives the treatment.
• Control Group – This is the group that remains fixed, and at the end, it is compared to the
experimental group.
• Confounding Variable - Variable(s) that have affected the results (DV), apart from the IV. A
confounding variable could be an extraneous variable that has not been controlled.
 Independent and Dependent Variables

• Independent is the controllable factor that marketing researchers use to influence changes in the
values of dependent variables.
• The independent variable could be the price, product, place, or promotion, since market researchers
can intentionally manipulate or alter these factors and see the effects on sales, growth, revenue, etc.
The factors that change because of the alterations of the independent variables are called
dependent variables.
• The purpose of using experimental research to study the market is to maximize the results of
dependent variables (sales, revenue, consumer satisfaction) by finding the perfect combination of
independent variables.
• Thus, researchers aim to alter as many independent variables as possible to find whether these
strategies are effective in creating desired changes in the organization.
 Independent and Dependent Variables
• For instance, if a researcher wants to study whether their dandruff protection product is successful in
curing dandruff, and the only difference between the two groups under study is the product of
interest (one group uses the product while group 2 uses a placebo), then dandruff could be
considered as the dependent variable and the product curing it would be called an independent
variable. Now, the independent variable, here, is “manipulated” in the sense that one group is
exposed to it and one is not. All things being constant, if the product cures dandruff in group 1 as
opposed to the group that is using a placebo, the experimental research findings are successful. This
will help in establishing a cause and effect relationship, the product is “causing” the treatment
(“effect”) of dandruff.
 Independent and Dependent Variables
• Hence, in essence, experimental research includes a hypothesis, a variable that is measured, a
variable that can be manipulated across groups, and both of these variables can be calculated and
compared. Experimental research is usually conducted in a controlled laboratory environment. The
researcher collects data that will either support or reject the hypothesis through data analysis.
Experimental research is also sometimes called hypothesis testing or a method of deductive
research. The purpose of experimental research is to determine the relationship between two
variables (dependent and independent). This relationship is generally causal in nature. The data
collected in experimental research has to be numeric or quantified. It must be measurable, capable
of statistical analysis, and comparable. If the data is observable in nature, such as satisfaction or
depression, then a Likert scale should be developed to convert this observable entity into a
measurable trait.
 Importance of Control
• Control groups are an important aspect of true
experimental designs.
• The presence of control groups allows researchers to
confirm that study results are due to the manipulation of
independent variables (IVs) rather than extraneous
variables.
• Specifically, control groups comprise participants who are
not exposed to the manipulated IV but are measured on the
study’s dependent variables (DVs).
 Importance of Control
• The control group consists of elements that present exactly
the same characteristics of the experimental group, except
for the variable applied to the latter.
• This group of scientific control enables the experimental
study of one variable at a time, and it is an essential part of
the scientific method.
• In a controlled experiment, two identical experiments are
carried out: in one of them, the treatment or tested factor
(experimental group) is applied; whereas in the other group
(control), the tested factor is not applied.
Controlling for Confounding Variables
• Whenever we compare two or more groups that are or might be
different in ways in addition to the particular treatment or
intervention we are studying, we have confounding variables.
• This will make the experiment to be extremely difficult to draw
conclusions about the cause-and-effect relationship. This is because
we can’t pin down exactly what is the cause of any pattern in the data
observed.
• Confounding variables threaten a study’s internal validity.
• In order to identify the cause-and-effect relationships, confounding
variables need to be controlled in order to rule them out as
explanations for any effects observed.
 Controlling for Confounding Variables
Strategies to control confounding variables:
• Keep some things constant
• Include a control group
• Randomly assign people to groups
• Use one or more pretests to asses equivalence before
treatment
• Expose participants to all experimental treatments
• Use statistical techniques such as partial correlation, analysis
of covariance (ANCOVA) and structural equation modelling
(SEM).
 Pre-experimental Research 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.
• 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
 One-shot Case Study Research Design
 One-group Pretest-posttest Research Design
 Static-group Comparison:
 Pre-experimental Research Design

One-shot Case Study Research Design

 In this type of experimental study, only one dependent group or variable is considered. The study is
carried out after some treatment which was presumed to cause change, making it a posttest study.
One-group Pretest-posttest Research Design:
 This research design combines both posttest and pretest study by carrying out a test on a single
group before the treatment is administered and after the treatment is administered. With the former
being administered at the beginning of treatment and later at the end.
Static-group Comparison:
 In a static-group comparison study, 2 or more groups are placed under observation, where only one
of the groups is subjected to some treatment while the other groups are held static. All the groups
are post-tested, and the observed differences between the groups are assumed to be a result of the
treatment.
 True-experimental Research Design
• The true experimental research design relies on statistical analysis to approve or disprove a
hypothesis. It is the most accurate type of experimental design and may be carried out with or
without a pretest on at least 2 randomly assigned dependent subjects.
• The true experimental research design must contain a control group, a variable that can be
manipulated by the researcher, and the distribution must be random. The classification of true
experimental design include:
• The posttest-only Control Group Design: In this design, subjects are randomly selected and assigned
to the 2 groups (control and experimental), and only the experimental group is treated. After close
observation, both groups are post-tested, and a conclusion is drawn from the difference between
these groups.
• The pretest-posttest Control Group Design: For this control group design, subjects are randomly
assigned to the 2 groups, both are presented, but only the experimental group is treated. After close
observation, both groups are post-tested to measure the degree of change in each group.
• Solomon four-group Design: This is the combination of the pretest-only and the pretest-posttest
control groups. In this case, the randomly selected subjects are placed into 4 groups.
• The first two of these groups are tested using the posttest-only method, while the other two are
tested using the pretest-posttest method.
 True-experimental Research Design
• Factorial Design: Two or more independent variables (factors) are simultaneously manipulated to
observe their effects on the dependent variable. This design allows the researcher to test two or
more hypotheses in a single project.
• Randomized Block Design: When there are intrinsic differences between subjects and possible
differences in experimental conditions, this design is used. When there are large number of
experimental groups, the randomized block design makes the groups homogenous.
• Crossover Design (also known as Repeat Measures Design): Different orders of the treatment are
randomly manipulated to the subjects in this design, and they are assigned to more than one
treatment. The compared groups should have an equal distribution of features and there should be a
high level of similarity among the subjects. In this type of design, the subjects serve as their own
control groups. Crossover designs are very good tools for doing research, but there is something to
be worried about and it is the point that the subjects’ experience with the first treatment may affect
their responding to the second treatment or condition.
 Quasi-experimental Research Design

• The word "quasi" means partial, half, or pseudo. Therefore, the quasi-experimental research bearing
a resemblance to the true experimental research, but not the same. In quasi-experiments, the
participants are not randomly assigned, and as such, they are used in settings where randomization
is difficult or impossible.
• This is very common in educational research, where administrators are unwilling to allow the
random selection of students for experimental samples.
• Some examples of quasi-experimental research design include; the time series, no equivalent control
group design, and the counterbalanced design.
 Ex Post Facto Design
• Ex post facto literally means “after the fact”
• Provide alternative means by which a researcher can investigate the extent
to which specific independent variables may possibly affect the dependent
variables of interest.
• In an ex post facto study, a researcher identifies events that have already
occurred or conditions that are already present and then collects data to
investigate a possible relationship between these factors and subsequent
characteristics or behaviors.
• After observing that differing circumstances have prevailed for two or more
different groups, researcher tries to determine whether the groups differ
on some other dependent variable.
Ex Post Facto Design
• Ex post facto research involves looking at existing
circumstances. It has clearly identifiable
independent and dependent variables.
• Ex post facto involve no direct manipulation of the
independent variable; the presumed ”cause” has
already occurred.
• Although ex post facto study lacks the control
element, it is nevertheless a legitimate research
method.
Factorial Designs
• Factorial design is an approach where the researcher
examines the effects of two or more independent variables
in a single study.
a. Two-factor experimental design – to study the effects of
two experimenter manipulated variables and their possible
interaction.
b. Combined experimental and ex post facto design – to
study the possible effects of an experimenter-manipulated
variable, a previously existing condition, and the interaction
between the two.
 Advantage of Experimental Research
• It is vital to test new ideas or theories. Why put time, effort, and funding into something
that may not work?
• Experimental research allows you to test your idea in a controlled environment before
taking it to market. It also provides the best method to test your theory, thanks to the
following advantages:
• Researchers have a stronger hold over variables to obtain desired results.
• The subject or industry does not impact the effectiveness of experimental research. Any
industry can implement it for research purposes.
• The results are specific.
• After analyzing the results, you can apply your findings to similar ideas or situations.
• You can identify the cause and effect of a hypothesis. Researchers can further analyze this
relationship to determine more in-depth ideas.
• Experimental research makes an ideal starting point. The data you collect is a foundation
on which to build more ideas and conduct more research.
 Disadvantage 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.
• 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 the variables to suit his or her personal preferences.
• 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.
• It is expensive.
• It is very risky and may have ethical complications that cannot be ignored. This is common
in medical research, where failed trials may lead to a patient's death or a deteriorating
health condition.
• Experimental research results are not descriptive.
• Response bias can also be supplied by the subject of the conversation.
• Human responses in experimental research can be difficult to measure.
 Disadvantage 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.
• 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 the
variables to suit his or her personal preferences.
• 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.
• It is expensive.
• It is very risky and may have ethical complications that cannot be ignored. This is common in medical
research, where failed trials may lead to a patient's death or a deteriorating health condition.
• Experimental research results are not descriptive.
• Response bias can also be supplied by the subject of the conversation.
• Human responses in experimental research can be difficult to measure.
 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.

1. Observational Study
• This type of study is carried out over a long period. It measures and observes the variables of interest
without changing existing conditions.
• When researching the effect of social interaction on human behavior, the subjects who are placed in
2 different environments are observed throughout the research. No matter the kind of absurd
behavior that is exhibited by the subject during this period, its condition will not be changed.
• This may be a very risky thing to do in medical cases because it may lead to death or worse medical
conditions.
 Data Collection Methods in Experimental
Research
2. Simulations
• This procedure uses mathematical, physical, or computer models to replicate a real-life process or
situation. It is frequently used when the actual situation is too expensive, dangerous, or impractical
to replicate in real life.
• This method is commonly used in engineering and operational research for learning purposes and
sometimes as a tool to estimate possible outcomes of real research. Some common situation
software are Simulink, MATLAB, and Simul8.
• Not all kinds of experimental research can be carried out using simulation as a data collection tool. It
is very impractical for a lot of laboratory-based research that involves chemical processes.
3. Surveys
• A survey is a tool used to gather relevant data about the characteristics of a population and is one of
the most common data collection tools. A survey consists of a group of questions prepared by the
researcher, to be answered by the research subject.
• Surveys can be shared with the respondents both physically and electronically. When collecting data
through surveys, the kind of data collected depends on the respondent, and researchers have limited
control over it.
 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 variables manipulated by the researcher) and the results are
observed to conclude. One of the uniqueness of experimental research is in its ability to control the
effect of extraneous variables.
• Experimental research is suitable for research whose goal is to examine cause-effect relationships,
e.g., explanatory research. It can be conducted in the laboratory or field settings, depending on the
aim of the research that is being carried out.
Research Methodology