Experimental Researrch Design - Essay Example

Experimental Research Designs Experimental research design This is used to investigate the possible case and-effect relationship by manipulating one independent variable to influence the other variable(s) in the experimental group, and by controlling the other relevant variables and measuring the effects of the manipulation by some statistical means. By manipulating the independent variable, the researcher can see if the treatment makes a difference on the subjects (Creswell, 2003). If the average scores of the two groups prove to be significantly different, and if there are not any explanations for this difference, then it can be concluded that the effect of the treatment caused this difference.

Experimental research designs are the only ones that have the ability to determine if a change in the independent variable actually causes a change in the dependent variable. In carrying out an experimental design a number of questions have to be answered. These questions will determine the type of experimental study design to be adopted. Experimental designs are usually carried out on groups or individuals. Accordingly, the structure of the design changes as group experimental design or single subject experimental design (Srinagesh, 2006).

Group experimental designs take different forms. If there is only one independent variable then a single variable design is adopted that has three approaches- pre-experimental designs, true experimental designs and quasi experimental designs. However, if there are two or more then then a factorial design is adopted. The single subject experimental designs are used only when one subject is involved in the study and thus aim at studying behavioral changes of different individuals as a result of some treatment or intervention.

There are three main types and these include: A-B-A withdrawal design, multiple baseline design and alternating treatments design (Gravetter & Forzano, 2011).Study questionWhat is the rate of adoption and use of electronic record keeping across US hospitals in their bid to increase patient knowledge and improve efficiency in medical practice?In the study question above, it was only possible to identify one independent variable which was the rate of adoption of the electronic medical records. A number of dependent variables were identified and these include: time, the hospitals surveyed, patient knowledge and efficiency.

Therefore, in this case a single variable experimental design will be used. Narrowing down in this category, the quasi-experimental design with the use of time series design will be used. The rate of adoption is seen to change over time. The method will be effective because of the time aspect involved in the study.Hypothesis: The rate of adoption will increase with the increase in the number of yearIndependent variable: The rate of adoptionLevels of Control ofthe Independent variable:No control availableRepeated TrialsEvery 4 months for 2 yearsDependent variables: Time, hospitals surveyed, patient knowledge, efficiencyConstraints: hospital resources to adopt EMRs, willingness to adopt EMRs, support from managementThe design will address internal validity in a number of ways.

The study design will stick to the initial number of hospitals set out for study and only the four dependent variables will be considered for the study as they related directly to the question.This experimental study easily allows for the establishment of causations because a little change in the variables will automatically show a change in the other. This design is therefore appropriate for the study as it will enable the researcher to easily identify causations which is the purpose of experimental designs.

ReferencesCreswell, J. W. (2003). Research design: qualitative, quantitative and mixed method approaches. London: Sage publications.Gravetter, F. J., & Forzano, L.-A. B. (2011). Research methods for the behavioural sciences. Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning.Srinagesh, K. (2006). The principles of experimantal research. Burlingon, MA: Elservier Inc.