Experiment
Definition
A research method that involves manipulating one variable to determine its effect on another.
Example
A researcher conducts a true experimental study to determine if a new 12-week anti-bullying program improves students’ self-esteem. Two hundred high school students aged 14–18 are randomly assigned to either the treatment group, which participates in the program involving classroom discussions, role-playing, and peer mentoring, or the control group, which receives no intervention. Self-esteem is measured using a standardized questionnaire administered to both groups before and after the program. The researcher compares changes in self-esteem scores between the two groups to assess the program’s impact, expecting to find a significant increase in the treatment group compared to the control group.
In a true experimental study, the researcher seeks to eliminate or minimize the impact of any variables that are not part of the study.
Experimental studies are the only types of research studies that can indicate causation.
Why It Matters
Experiments matter because they’re the only kind of study that can actually show cause and effect. When done carefully, they help us figure out whether a treatment or intervention really works — not just whether two things happen to be connected. That’s a powerful tool for making decisions, solving problems, and building better policies or programs.
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