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Quasi
Experiment
• True experimental designs are sometimes impractical or impossible because the research can
only effectively be carried out in natural settings. Experimental research can create artificial
situations that do not always represent real-life situations. This is largely due to fact that all
other variables are tightly controlled which may not create a fully realistic situation. For this
• Reactions of test subjects are more likely to be genuine because it not an artificial research
environment.
• It can be very useful in identifying general trends from the results, especially in social science disciplines.
• It reduces the difficulty and ethical concerns that may surround the pre-selection and random assignment of
test subjects. For example, if examining the effects of cigarette smoking by pregnant women on the fetus, it
• Matching procedures may be used to help create a reasonable control group, making generalization more
feasible. For example, if one group of migraine suffers received a new treatment and a second group did
not receive the treatment, the difference in the pain levels may be attributed to the treatment if the control
• The results generated can often be used to reinforce the findings of case studies by conducting research
• Quasi-experimental approaches may reduce the time and resources required because extensive pre-
results to a larger population. Beside of the lack of randomization and the reduced internal validity, conclusions about
• Statistical analyses may not be meaningful due to the lack of randomization and the threats to internal validity.
• Pre-existing factors and other influences are not taken into account because variables are less controlled in quasi-
experimental research. For example, when examining the impact of smoking by pregnant mothers, there may be other factors
such as diet, education, overall health, and access to health care in general that may be playing a role in the outcome. If
other variables are not controlled, the researcher can be assured that the treatment was the sole factor causing the outcome.
• Human error also plays a key role in the validity of any project as discussed in previous modules.