Back to: Paper 2 Unit 6: Research in Education (शिक्षा में अनुसंधान)
What is experiment ?
A test under controlled conditions that is made to demonstrate a known truth, to examine the validity of a hypothesis, or to determine the efficacy of something previously untried. – The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language
An experimental research is a study in which a treatment, procedure, or program is intentionally introduced and a result or outcome is observed. -Mayer(2005)
What is Experimental Research (प्रयोगात्मक अनुसंधान)?
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 some time, to aid researchers in drawing a reasonable conclusion regarding the relationship between these 2 variable types.
Aims of Experimental Research
- To predict phenomenon
- To explain some kind of causation
- To improve problems of daily life
- To simplify things and improve process & outcome
Steps of Experimental Research
According to Bogdan & Biklen (2007)
- Identify a question and perform preliminary research to determine what is already known.
- Formulate hypotheses and deduce their consequences.
- Identify and define the independent and dependent variables.
- Determine how the independent variable will be manipulated and how the dependent variable will be measured.
- Construct an experimental design that represents all the elements, conditions and relations of the consequences:
- Select a sample of subjects.
- Group or pair subjects.
- Identify and control non-experimental factors.
- Select or construct and validate instruments to measure outcomes.
- Conduct a pilot study.
- Determine the place, time and duration of the experiment.
- Conduct the experiment.
- Compile raw data and reduce them to a usable form.
- Apply an appropriate test of significance.
Characteristics of Experimental Research
- Manipulation in independent variable.
- Measurement of variables.
- Controlled process.
- Environmental variables can be controlled.
- Includes hypotheses testing.
- These are definite in nature.
- Results are objective, reliable and verifiable.
- Power of prediction.
- Theorization can be done.
- Result are generalizable.