SOAN 2120 Chapter Notes - Chapter 7: Time Series, Dependent And Independent Variables, Selection Bias

• School: University of Guelph
• Department: Sociology and Anthropology
• Course: SOAN 2120
• Professor: David Walters

Document Summary

Experimental research builds on the principles of positivist approaches. Experiment is when you modify something in a situation, then compare an outcome to what existed without the modification. Compare outcomes with and without the modification. The main issue is that some research questions are better addressed using certain techniques. You must conduct research to determine which technique best fits with the research question. Research questions most appropriate for an experiment fit its strengths and limitations. Experiments are limited to research questions in which a researcher is able to manipulate conditions. Experiment is best for issues that have a narrow scope or scale, such as micro-level concerns. Experiments encourage researchers to isolate and target the impact that arises from one or a few causal variables. A valid comparison depends on comparing things that are fundamentally alike. With random assignment the two groups being studied will be similar.