Experimantal vs. non-experimental methods of theory testing
Challenging the various methods for theory testing is as necessary as challenging theory in itself. In order to assess these methods it is first useful to explicitly define what the concept of a theory signifies and map the general framework for theory testing in practice. After having done this, the following discussion will contrast the experimental methods of theory testing against the nonexperimental methods in an attempt to distinguish; in what situations one can be preferred over the other, what precautions that can be taken to compensate for any of their shortcomings and to what extent each method contributes to causal inference. This paper will adopt the classifications of Kerlinger and Lee (2000), and categorize experimental research methods into (1) Laboratory experiments and (2) Field experiments, and nonexperimental research methods into (1) Field studies and (2) Survey research. From the following comparison it is concluded that experimental research methods are superior to the nonexperimental alternatives as they allow for greater level of control throughout the systematic enquiry that scientific research aims to uphold, but also that nonexperimental research has its merits if conducted under strict conditions.
Nonexperimental qualitative research methods avoid the problem of control, as it does not rely on numbers or measurements. The basic reasoning behind qualitative and quantitative research is somewhat different and for this reason they are empirically practised in different areas of scientific research. For example, using quantitative research methods in a Psychology study on; the mental trauma caused by female circumcision, might not be the most appropriate method to test a general theory on the subject. Numbers and figures are in these situations not as obviously applied and might not be able to capture concepts such as emotions- here qualitative data is advantageous. However, these qualities leave great room for bias on behalf of the researcher and general misinterpretation, which can only be counteracted by controlled enquiry such as that mentioned above. For these reasons, nonexperimental research methods which intuitively gives an impression of external validity, as it is often carried out in the field without manipulation, can be deceiving. By definition a theory is comprised of many elements out of which one is most frequently targeted when a theory is under scrutiny-the theory’s assumed relations among variables. A theory is built onto general assumptions of relationships between a number of different variables. Therefore, by breaking up these relationships and forming hypothesis from them, it becomes convenient to draw causal inferences in the form, “if x, then y”. In this way, testing hypothesises can aid researchers in their persuit to test theory.
Some topics in this essay:
Sociology Conclusively,
Kerlinger Lee,
,
research methods,
experimental methods,
nonexperimental research,
independent variable,
external validity,
experimental research,
theory testing,
laboratory experiments,
nonexperimental methods,
test theory,
nonexperimental research methods,
experimental research methods,
methods theory testing,
quantitative research methods,
carried natural setting,
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Approximate Word count = 1544
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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