Quasi-experimental designs include research designs that lack randomization. What this means is that unlike experimental designs whereby samples are picked in randomness in order to achieve statistically accurate results, quasi-experimental designs lack random selection hence their results cannot be accurately charted, unless backed up by other experiments. These designs lack internal validity. Use quasi-experimental designs to carry out research studies involving social sciences and psychology.
The Effect of Alcohol on Pregnant Mothers
Obviously, it would be illegal to ask pregnant mothers to ingest alcohol whilst pregnant, hence an experimental study is out of the question. Instead, carry out quasi-experimental design research by asking women about their alcohol intake during pregnancy and selectively placing them into different groups. This research topic for quasi-experimental design is non-selective, and as such, there is no control group to give accuracy to the findings, which can also be difficult to judge.
Sociological Experiments
Generally, sociological experiments make for research topics for quasi-experimental design. In this case, the researcher tries to study two groups of children from the same school: one group undertaking after-class tutoring and the control group going without the tutoring. Since other variables cannot be controlled within the school and home environment and students are not pretested, this study will give the best result it can, considering the bias. The effect on the tutored group is studied and charted and asks the questions, how many get better and how many stay the same.
The Good Samaritan Test
Another prime research topic for quasi-experimental design, the Good Samaritan test is in effect, a research study that tests the different variables such as mental concentration and speed involved in helping an injured person on the road. This drives the questions of what happens when a person lies injured on the road and which passersby help and which do not. This study has no control group, which qualifies it for quasi-experimental design.
Considerations
The quasi-experimental design fails when carrying out a study that needs in-depth statistical analysis. Most researchers fear the use of quasi-experimental research designs, because of the lower internal and external validity of data. So opting for quasi-experimental designs in social sciences, the same is not true of medical research and studies that need complete statistical accuracy.
Tags: quasi-experimental design, control group, designs lack, Good Samaritan, quasi-experimental designs