SOAN 2120 Chapter Notes - Chapter 7: Interrupted Time Series, The Control Group, Dependent And Independent Variables

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

Document Summary

Experimental research builds on the principles of a positivist approach. The experi(cid:373)e(cid:374)t"s (cid:271)asi(cid:272) logi(cid:272) exte(cid:374)ds (cid:272)o(cid:373)(cid:373)o(cid:374) se(cid:374)se thi(cid:374)ki(cid:374)g: common sense experiments are less careful or systematic than scientifically based experiments. In common sense language, and experiment is when you modify something in a situation, then compare an outcomes to what existed without the modification. There are 3 things researchers do in experiments: being with a hypothesis, modify something in a situation, compare outcomes with and without the modification. Experimental research is the strongest for testing causal relationship because the 3 conditions for causality (temporal order, association, and no alternative explanations) are best met in experimental designs. The research questions most appropriate for the experiment fit its strengths and limitations. The pure logic of an experiment has the experimenter intervene or induce a change in some focused part of social life, then examine the consequences that result from the change. An experiment cannot manipulate conditions or intervene.