Research Design Is Defined As A Framework of Methods and Techniques Chosen by A

Chapter 4 Research Design and the Logic of Control
A test group is composed of subjects who receive a treatment that the researcher believes is
causally linked to the dependent variable.
A control group is composed of subjects who do not receive the treatment that the researcher
believes is causally linked to the dependent variable.
A rival explanation is one that competes with the provisionary explanation in its explanatory
power. A researcher conceptualizes rival explanations by carefully considering potential
arguments from peers or other stakeholders.
Research design is defined as a framework of methods and techniques chosen by a

researcher to combine various components of research in a reasonably logical manner so that
the research problem is efficiently handled.
The experimental design ensures that the test group and the control group are the same in
every way, except one—the independent variable. Because the independent variable is the only
way the groups are not alike, any differences on the dependent variable can be attributed to the
independent variable.
The controlled comparison design allows the researcher to observe the effect of the
independent variable on the dependent variable while holding constant other plausible causes
of the dependent variable.
 Experimental designs are stronger because they control for the possible effects of all
rival explanations, even rivals the investigator has not thought of or those he or she does
not care about. In controlled comparisons, the investigator can make sure to control for
known or suspected rivals, but unknown factors can affect the dependent variable and
contaminate the results.
The premeasurement phase in many (though not all) experiments, the investigator then
measures the dependent variable for both groups.
This is the treatment or intervention phase, in which the test group typically gets some
treatment while the control group does not.
In the post measurement phase, the dependent variable is measured again for both groups.
Since, by design, the independent variable is the only way the groups differ, any observed
differences in the dependent variable can be attributed directly to the independent variable and
cannot be attributed to any other cause.
A laboratory experiment, the control group and the test group are studied in an environment
created wholly by the investigator.
 For example, participants might be asked to leave their homes or workplaces and travel
to the research venue. Although they most likely do not know the exact purpose of the
experiment, participants doubtless are aware they are being studied.
A field experiment, the control and test groups are studied in their normal surroundings, living
their lives as they naturally do, probably unaware that an experiment is taking place.
 These two approaches may sound different, but they both bear the defining feature of all
experimental research: Individuals are randomly assigned to the control group or the test
group.
Random assignment occurs when every prospective participant—every individual that the
investigator wants to study—has an equal chance of ending up in the control group or the test
group.
 Thus, if there are two groups, a control and a test, then each individual has a probability
equal to .5 of being selected for the control and a probability equal to .5 of being
selected for the test. Let’s take a closer look at random assignment. Then we will
describe examples of a laboratory experiment and a field experiment.
Selection bias occurs when nonrandom processes determine the composition of the test and
control groups—that is, when individuals who find their way into the test group differ from
individuals who find their way into the control group. These differences, in turn, affect the
dependent variable.
Internal validity means that, within the conditions created artificially by the researcher, the
effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable is isolated from other plausible
explanations.
External validity means that the results of a study can be generalized—that is, its findings can
be applied to situations in the nonartificial, natural world.
A controlled comparison is accomplished by examining the relationship between an

independent and a dependent variable, while holding constant other variables suggested by
rival explanations and hypotheses.
A compositional difference is any characteristic that varies across categories of an

independent variable.
Spurious relationship the control variable, Z, defines a large compositional difference across
values of the independent variable, X. Further, this compositional difference is a cause of the
dependent variable Y.
An additive relationship, the control variable is a cause of the dependent variable but defines
a small compositional difference across values of the independent variable.
An interaction relationship, the relationship between the independent variable and the
dependent variable depends on the value of the control variable. For one value of Z, the X-Y
relationship might be stronger than for another value of Z.

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Chapter 4 Research Design and the Logic of Control

Research design is defined as a framework of methods and techniques chosen by a

A controlled comparison is accomplished by examining the relationship between an

A compositional difference is any characteristic that varies across categories of an

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