Experimental Design, Coursework Example

Will you be conducting an experiment? If so, will you be using a true experimental design? Explain.

The requirements for conducting an experiment in this capstone is based on the fact that, a project is a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product service or result which has a definitive start and end date. To achieve this objective therefore, it is only prudent that an experiment is conducted. Success in the achievement of this objective depends on the choice of an experimental design. It is therefore the responsibility of the researcher to make the correct choice of the experimental design that best suits the scenario at hand in consideration of the various existing experimental designs including experimental design, pre-experimental design and quasi-experimental design.

In a true experimental design, the independent variable or variables are at the disposal of the researcher for manipulation, with the aim of making observations on the effects of depended variables, i.e. some cognitive process or behaviors. During this time, the researcher makes use of random participants’ assignment in groups so that he can have a direct control of external factors against influencing the anticipated results. The use of a true experimental design eradicates the possibility of manipulating random assignment in as far the participants are concerned which may hinder the establishment of cause and effect. True experimental design makes use of the experimental and the control group at the same time while measuring any arising changes in the two groups. True experimental design therefore has the potentials to control any confounding variables while taking account of their impact and establishing that the treatment is the actual cause of the change. Consequently, it is generally accepted that the true experimental design is the best experimental design in the measurements of cause and effect in a research.

If you will be conducting an experiment, which threats to external validity, if any, will it be subject to? Explain

While conducting the experiment, the researcher must be subjected to threats to external validity. This implies the way in which the researcher makes wrong generalization. It is important to appreciate the fact that, generalizability has its limits in the situation that dependent variables are influenced by other factors making threats to external validity to interact to independent variables. The researcher attempts to apply the findings to other people either in terms of population validity or ecological validity. This means that, the researcher is confronted with challenges associated with generalizing results of a study population to another defined population which is considered to be a risky undertaking. The researcher may also attempt to force an interaction of personological variables to the treatment effects, which is equally risky.

If you will be conducting an experiment, will you be using a preexperimental design? If yes, explain why you will be using such a design given that it has serious weakness.

The use of pre-experimental design on the other hand involves following fundamental steps in an experiment but the control group in not included. This implies that the researcher conducts study of a single group with no regard of comparison to an equivalent group that is not treated, i.e. the control group. It is generally accepted in research that, the use of pre-experimental design is the simplest approach to research because only a single group or several groups in multiples are subjected to treatment with assumptions that a change will be evident. This is the reason why it is the design of choice by the researcher. This involves the use of One-shot case study design, the One-group pretest-posttest design and the Static-group comparison the use of The use of pre-experimental design is associated with cost effectiveness and serves as guide to further researcher. The use of pre-experimental design is therefore not as effective as the use of true experimental design.

If you will be conducting an experiment, will you be using a quasi-experimental design? If yes, which one? Why are you using a quasiexperimental design instead of a true experimental one?

The use of quasi-experimental design involves conducting empirical study with the aim of estimation of the causal impact attributed to a specific intervention on the target population. There are a number of similarities between quasi-experimental design and the randomized controlled trial although the random assignment aspect is absent in as far as the control group is concerned.. This may include the use of eligibility cutoff mark for example. Internal validity is a major concern in the use of quasi-experimental design since the two groups, the treatment and the control may lack similarity at the baseline. In the case of random assignment, all participants share equal opportunities to be assigned either the comparison or the intervention group. This therefore makes the two groups statistically identical considering the observed as well as the unobserved features. In view of the above facts, it is prudent to conclude that therefore quasi-experimental design is not as effective as the use of true experimental design. However, since the use of quasi-experimental design allows the researcher to have sufficient control of the treatment condition with the use of other criterion apart from random assignment, it is given more preference.

If you will be conducting an experiment, will you be taking measures to try to prevent any of the potential sources of confounding discussed in this topic?

The intention of the researcher is to achieve the primary objective which relates to the identification of the best approach to optimize the project through the project management best practices associated with the project management lifecycle and processes and to create a unique product service or result which has a definitive start and end date. Success in this project can only be achieved when the researcher is keen in taking measures to try to prevent any of the potential sources of confounding discussed in this topic