Wize University Psychology Textbook > Research Methods in Psychology
Choosing a Research Design
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Choosing a Research Design
It may sound like experimental designs are always best, but that doesn't make correlational and quasi-experimental research useless. Here are some of the pros and cons:
Experimental Research
- Pros
- Can establish cause and effect
- High degree of control
- Cons
- High degree of control can result in findings that don't hold true in the real world (lack ecological validity).
- Not always possible because of ethical or practical concerns
Correlational Research (surveys, focus groups, observation, case studies, etc.)
- Pros
- Can be less expensive (though not always).
- Often don't have the ethical or practical concerns of an experimental design (Example: it would be highly unethical to randomly assign people to have a traumatic brain injury)
- Cons: cannot establish cause and effect
Quasi-experimental Research
- Pros: get as much of the control of a true experiment as is possible in a particular situation
- Cons: cannot establish cause and effect
Mark Yourself Question
- Grab a piece of paper and try this problem yourself.
- When you're done, check the "I have answered this question" box below.
- View the solution and report whether you got it right or wrong.
Practice: Choosing a Research Design
Dr. Schultz is conducting a study on the effect of childhood bullying on adult adjustment. Which method should they use and why?