Experimental research is a systematic and scientific approach to research in which the researcher manipulates one or more variables, and controls and measures any change in other variables. This method is often used to determine cause-and-effect relationships. The key characteristics of experimental research include:
- Manipulation: The researcher intentionally changes or manipulates the independent variable(s) to observe its effect on the dependent variable(s).
- Control: The researcher maintains control over extraneous variables that could influence the results, often by using control groups and random assignment.
- Randomization: Participants are randomly assigned to different groups (e.g., experimental group and control group) to ensure that each group is similar before the manipulation of the independent variable.
- Observation and Measurement: The researcher systematically observes and measures the dependent variable(s) to determine the effect of the manipulation.
- Replication: The study can be replicated or repeated by other researchers to verify the findings and enhance the validity and reliability of the results.
Experimental research is widely used in fields such as psychology, education, medicine, and the social sciences to test hypotheses and theories under controlled conditions.