Introduction to Research Design and Statistics

Classification of Research by General Methodology

Type Characteristics Example

Experimental At least one variable is manipulated to determine the effect of the manipulation. Subjects are randomly assigned to experimental treatments. What is the effect of the experimental variable?
Quasi-Experimental At least one variable is manipulated to determine the effect of the manipulation. Intact, naturally formed groups are used. What is the effect of the experimental variable?
Survey/
Ex post facto The incidence, relationships, and distributions of variables are studied. Variables are not manipulated but studied as they occur in a natural setting. What are the characteristics of the variables? What are the relationships and possible effects among the variables?
Historical A description of past events or facts is developed. What was or what happened?
Ethnographic/
Qualitative A holistic description of present phenomena is developed. What is the nature of the phenomena?

Meta-analysis A statistical method to accumulate experimental and correlational results across independent studies. An analysis of analyses. What is the trend in the research literature?

Intro Home Page

Phil Ender, 30Jun98

Type	Characteristics	Example
Experimental	At least one variable is manipulated to determine the effect of the manipulation. Subjects are randomly assigned to experimental treatments.	What is the effect of the experimental variable?
Quasi-Experimental	At least one variable is manipulated to determine the effect of the manipulation. Intact, naturally formed groups are used.	What is the effect of the experimental variable?
Survey/ Ex post facto	The incidence, relationships, and distributions of variables are studied. Variables are not manipulated but studied as they occur in a natural setting.	What are the characteristics of the variables? What are the relationships and possible effects among the variables?
Historical	A description of past events or facts is developed.	What was or what happened?
Ethnographic/ Qualitative	A holistic description of present phenomena is developed.	What is the nature of the phenomena?
Meta-analysis	A statistical method to accumulate experimental and correlational results across independent studies. An analysis of analyses.	What is the trend in the research literature?