Experimental Designs versus Non-Experimental Designs
The three major types of research design include quasi-experimental, non-experimental, and experimental formats. The former is similar to the experimental design, but the researcher does not have complete control over the assignment of subjects to the experimental or control group (Maxfield, 2015). Quasi-experimental designs are often used in field settings where random assignment is not possible. For non-experimental design, it involves the observation of variables without manipulation (Maxfield, 2015). Non-experimental designs include surveys, case studies, and observational studies. The goal of a non-experimental design is to establish a correlation between variables. Experimental research focuses on the manipulation of one or more variables in order to observe the effect on a dependent variable (Maxfield, 2015). The goal of experimental design is to establish cause-and-effect relationships between variables.
There is a multitude of reasons why researchers might choose one design over another. Firstly, it is stated that experimental designs tend to “present practical difficulties and ethical challenges or tend to over-simplify complex social processes,”, especially in criminology research (Lum & Yang, 2005, p. 191). Secondly, resources might not be available to conduct fully experimental research. Thirdly, controlling the variables involving people and legal bodies might not be possible. Thus, although the experimental design is preferred, it has limitations, which is why quasi-experimental and non-experimental designs are often used. In criminology, experimental formats can create generalizability issues since they oversimplify complex social interactions. However, these designs tend to be more reliable due to consistency as well as more valid due to precision. Quasi-experimental and non-experimental designs need to take extra measures to ensure the accuracy of analysis and replicability of results in order to increase the quality of research.
References
Lum, C., & Yang, S. M. (2005). Why do evaluation researchers in crime and justice choose non-experimental methods? Journal of Experimental Criminology, 1(2), 191–213. Web.
Maxfield, M. G. (2015). Basics of research methods for criminal justice and criminology (4th ed.). Cengage Learning US.