What type of research design involves measuring differences between groups based on received interventions?

What type of research design involves measuring differences between groups based on received interventions?

• A. Observational study
• B. Mixed-method research
• C. Experimental design
• D. Descriptive research

Answer: (C)

An experimental design is characterized by its focus on determining causal relationships by manipulating one or more independent variables and observing the effects on a dependent variable. In this type of research, participants are typically divided into groups that receive different interventions or treatments (such as a new medication versus a placebo) to assess the outcomes. By comparing these groups, researchers can measure differences attributed to the interventions, thus providing robust evidence about the efficacy of treatments or programs. This design often involves random assignment to enhance the validity of the findings, ensuring that the groups are comparable at the outset of the study. Because of this structured approach, experimental designs are considered to produce the highest level of evidence in research hierarchy, particularly in the medical and health fields. In contrast, observational studies do not involve manipulation but instead observe naturally occurring differences, making it more difficult to establish direct cause-and-effect relationships. Mixed-method research combines qualitative and quantitative approaches to provide a more comprehensive understanding but does not focus solely on measuring interventions between groups. Descriptive research aims to describe characteristics or phenomena without assessing relationships or outcomes, which is essential in understanding the context but does not involve the manipulation of variables.

An experimental design is characterized by its focus on determining causal relationships by manipulating one or more independent variables and observing the effects on a dependent variable. In this type of research, participants are typically divided into groups that receive different interventions or treatments (such as a new medication versus a placebo) to assess the outcomes. By comparing these groups, researchers can measure differences attributed to the interventions, thus providing robust evidence about the efficacy of treatments or programs.

This design often involves random assignment to enhance the validity of the findings, ensuring that the groups are comparable at the outset of the study. Because of this structured approach, experimental designs are considered to produce the highest level of evidence in research hierarchy, particularly in the medical and health fields.

In contrast, observational studies do not involve manipulation but instead observe naturally occurring differences, making it more difficult to establish direct cause-and-effect relationships. Mixed-method research combines qualitative and quantitative approaches to provide a more comprehensive understanding but does not focus solely on measuring interventions between groups. Descriptive research aims to describe characteristics or phenomena without assessing relationships or outcomes, which is essential in understanding the context but does not involve the manipulation of variables.