How to Design and Evaluate Research in Education, 5/e

Jack R. Fraenkel, San Francisco State University
Norman E. Wallen, San Francisco State University

Experimental Research

Learning Objectives

Studying this chapter should enable you to:

Describe briefly the purpose of experimental research.

Describe the basic steps involved in conducting an experiment.

Describe the two ways in which experimental research differs from other forms of educational research.

Explain the difference between random assignment and random selection and the importance of each.

Explain what is meant by the phrase "manipulation of variables" and describe three ways in which such manipulation can occur.

Distinguish between examples of weak and strong experimental designs and draw diagrams of such designs.

Identify various threats to internal validity associated with different experimental designs.

Explain three ways in which various threats to internal validity in experimental research can be controlled.

Explain how matching can be used to equate groups in experimental studies.

Describe briefly the purpose of factorial and counterbalanced designs and draw diagrams of such designs.

Describe briefly the purpose of a time-series design and draw a diagram of this design

Describe briefly how to assess probably threats to internal validity in an experimental study

Recognize an experimental study when you see one in the literature

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