For this assignment you will visit the section in the coursebook and lecture (ch. 3) on the different types of research designs.

Question

In essay format, begin by discussing the significance of the classical research design. By this I mean, why is this design type so important? Then, compare and contrast the classical research design to at least two (2) other major types of research designs presented in chapter 3. Within your discussion, make certain to present some of the major advantages and disadvantages associated with each type of research design.

***Most importantly, make certain to describe what types of studies are conducted utilizing the designs you discuss.

Answer 1

The classical research design holds significant importance in the field of research due to its foundational principles and its ability to establish causal relationships. This design type is crucial as it helps researchers generate reliable and valid results, which further contributes to the development of knowledge and understanding in various fields.

The classical research design, also known as experimental design, involves the manipulation of an independent variable to observe its effect on a dependent variable while controlling for extraneous factors. This design allows researchers to establish causation by systematically testing the impact of the independent variable on the dependent variable. By randomly assigning participants to control and treatment groups, the classical research design minimizes the influence of confounding variables and increases internal validity.

One major advantage of the classical design is its ability to establish causal relationships. By systematically manipulating the independent variable and controlling for potential confounding factors, researchers can confidently attribute changes in the dependent variable to the manipulated independent variable. This design also facilitates replication, as its standardized procedures allow other researchers to replicate the study and verify the findings.

However, the classical research design also has some disadvantages. It may not always be feasible or ethical to manipulate certain variables. Additionally, the controlled laboratory setting may lack ecological validity, limiting the generalizability of the findings to real-world situations. Furthermore, the experimental design may require a large sample size, making it time-consuming and expensive to conduct.

Two other major types of research designs are correlational design and observational design. Correlational design involves examining the association between variables without manipulating them. This type of design is useful when manipulating variables is not possible or ethical. Correlational studies establish the strength and direction of the relationship between variables, but they do not establish causation. The major advantage of correlational design is its ability to examine naturally occurring relationships. However, it is limited by the potential presence of confounding variables and the inability to draw causal inferences.

Observational design involves the systematic observation of participants or phenomena in their natural setting. This design is useful when researchers aim to study behavior or phenomena without interfering with them. Observational studies provide rich qualitative data and allow for the exploration of complex behaviors in naturalistic settings. However, they are susceptible to observer bias and lack control over extraneous variables, reducing internal validity.

In summary, classical research design is important for establishing causal relationships and generating reliable results. Correlational design allows researchers to examine associations between variables, while observational design enables the exploration of behavior in natural settings. Each design has its advantages and disadvantages, and the choice depends on the research question and ethical considerations.