This session is to introduce students to experiments and quasi-experiments. By presenting a number of experimental designs, this session offers insights into the understanding of experimental design, its advantages and disadvantage, and how to carry out experiments step by step.

Key Questions:

Why conduct experiments in real-world educational settings? And how to?

1. When do we need to carry out an experiment?
2. How to select variables, and measure the effects of independent variables on dependent variables?
3. Are randomized controlled trial (RCT) the “gold standard” of research designs?
4. Will quasi-experiments be good enough?

session 7 Experimentation 20121.pptx

Readings:

Bryman, A (2008), Social Research Methods, Oxford University Press, Third Edition. Chapter14 (Quantitative Data Analysis)

Robson, C (2011). Real World Research. Wiley-Blackwell, Third Edition. Chapter 8 (Surveys and Questionnaires)

Johnson, B & Larry Christensen, L.B. (2010), Educational Research: Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Approaches. Sage Publications, Fourth Edition. Chapter 9 (Experimental Research), Chapter 10 (Quasi-Experimental and Single-Case Designs) and Chapter11 (Nonexperimental Quantitative Research)

de Vaus, D.  (2001). Research Design in Social Research. London: Sage. Chapters 4-6.