Research Methods-Experiment

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There are various research methods that a scholar can employ in order to carry out his study and present the information attained through a way that can be understood by the targeted audience. The methods used can be analyzed using either quantitative or qualitative methods depending on the details that the scholar wishes to attain. Quantitative research that involves the use of numerical values to present data that has been taken during the research while qualitative method is basically keen on providing comprehensive and detailed information concerning the question being investigated (Lune & Berg, 2016). depending on the information that the scholar has such that determines the method of analysis in that when he already knows the hypothesis that he has to investigate, he uses quantitative method while for qualitative analysis he understands the hypothesis as he progresses.

This article focuses on the use of experiment as a method of research that is used in various fields to determine the effectiveness of certain methodologies. During an experiment, the researcher finds gets a sample that is randomly selected and is used to represent the entire population. This is them put in various groups whereby one group is exposed to the item that is being investigated while the other is termed as the control group that is used in comparison and its main purpose is to determine whether the aspect under investigation has worked (Kowalczyk, 2017). It is of paramount importance to note that due to ethical issues that are associated with the exposure of the control group into unfavorable conditions, it is advisable that this group is exposed to situations that do not harm their livelihood.

This can be illustrated by a scholar determining the effect of using warm IV fluids in reduction of hypothermia to pregnant women undergoing selective caesarian section.  Normally, since these women are opened up during birth, it is likely that they would get cold and start shivering which can lead to adverse effects that need to be controlled. A researcher doing this experiment would need to get a sample size that would give high degree of accuracy thus it is advisable tat the size is big enough to represent the entire population (Imafuku et al., 2015). Further, the women should not be coerced into caesarian section hence those picked should be allowed to decide on their own. Additionally, in as much as the study is to determine the reduction of hypothermia through the use of warm IV fluids, the control group should not be left without any form of remedy as this would affect their health.

During the experiment, the scholar can choose to collect data using questionnaires that have either open-ended or closed questions, interviews, or observations depending on the time that he has set for the study. As has been mentioned, the collection of data in the quantitative method is easier and quicker as opposed to the qualitative approach that takes time although it provides richer information through its methodology. The information can then be analyzed using statistical methods such as chi-square so that he can get the mean, mode, median, standard variation, or variance which gives a distribution of the information providing the scholar with the proof of the hypothesis he set to study (Chu & Ke, 2017). Conversely, if the data was in qualitative design, the scholar has to give a detailed report of his findings. Although experiments take up much time and resources they are beneficial since they provide an insight on the question being investigated and provide solutions to phenomena happening in the current world.

References

Chu, H., & Ke, Q. (2017). Research methods: What's in the name?. Library & Information           Science Research, 39(4), 284-294.

Imafuku, R., Saiki, T., Kawakami, C., & Suzuki, Y. (2015). How do students' perceptions of        research and approaches to learning change in undergraduate research?. International    journal of medical education, 6, 47.

Kowalczyk, A. (2017). Economic and logistic research methods. World Scientific News, 72, 544- 549.

Lune, H., & Berg, B. L. (2016). Qualitative research methods for the social sciences. Pearson      Higher Ed.