Variables operationalization - Essay Example

The design defines an approach of using interventions to study research subjects. Further, the subjects are randomly assigned groups that can be the control set up or the treatment set up. The first of the design’s components is the population of interest that is considered for the study. The next component the sample that is obtained from the target population subject to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Voluntary and informed consent from sampled participants, an aspect that identifies legal and ethical consideration in research is another significant component of the design.

Also involved in the design are the groups that can be either treatment group or the controlled group. Other components of the design are random assignment of participants into either of the groups and exposure of members of treatment group to treatment conditions (Monsen and Horn, 2007). Classification of the design The design would be considered experimental because of its components and characteristic features. An experimental research involves randomization consists of two identifiable groups, the placebo group and the treatment group (Stommel and wills, 2004), elements that correspond to components of my design such as existence of two groups, treatment and control groups.

The design’s component of randomized allocation of participants to the involved group is also identifiable in experimental research. Similarly, the researcher’s authority over allocation of participants and determination of the independent variable, as observed in the design is further consistent with experimental method as opposed to observational method in which the researcher’s role is only to collect data. Further, Monsen and Horn specifically classify randomized controlled trials under experimental methods (2007).

Reasons for choosing the design over others The design was selected because of its diverse advantages over other designs. One of the advantages of the design is its ability to explore topics whose participants are many and diversified. The design can consequently study a sample with different characteristics in a single set up. Its ability to explore a large sample size that is also heterogeneous further facilitates the design’s external validity. Possible decentralization of the design’s sample space into sub spaces also allows for easier selection and management of the sample space.

Another advantage of the randomized controlled trials that is secondary to its possible large sample size is the involved economies of scale through implementation of a diversified research instead of many small sized independent research activities. Lastly, the ability to study a diversified sample space allows for a centralized analysis of collected data (Monsen and Horn, 2007). The design however faces some disadvantages that might undermine its application in some scopes of research. The multycentered approach is for instance complex to implement for diversified sample spaces.

It may also be limited by ethical considerations when some types of treatments are involved on human participants. Another disadvantage is the design’s susceptibility to the researcher’s bias in allocating participants to groups (Monsen and Horn, 2007). Types of bias to which the design is most vulnerable The randomized cont