Quantitative Analysis

Quantitative Analysis

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Quantitative Analysis

Components of an Experimental Method Plan

According to Creswell, (2014), there are various components of an experimental method plan. They include participants, variables, materials, procedures and measures. With regards to the element of participants, it is essential that the readers are informed about the choice, assignment as well as the number of participants to be involved in the experiment. When it comes to the component of variables, there should be clarification of the groups involved. The researcher should also identify the independent variables alongside the treatment variable. In addition, it is essential to identify the dependent variables and the expected outcomes.

On the element of instrumentation and materials, the instruments should be discussed for instance in terms of development and scales as well as the validity and reliability reports of past uses. The materials used for the treatment should be thoroughly discussed. With regard to procedures, the type of the experiment should be identified for instance true experiment, single-subject designs, quasi-experiment. The type of comparisons should also be identified, which could be between-subject or within-group (Creswell, 2014). It is also necessary to offer a visual model.

Creswell (2014) asserts that threats to validity are another element of consideration. Threats to internal validity, threats to external validity, threats to statistical conclusion validity and threats to construct validity should be outlined. Procedure as a component entails describing in detail the method for conducting the experiment. This helps the reader to be aware of the design being utilized, the observations, treatment as well as timeline of tasks. Data analysis component involves letting the reader know the statistical analysis used in the experiment. The descriptive statistics should be reported and inferential statistical tests conducted. Effect sizes and confidence intervals should also be reported and single subject designs represented using line graphs. Finally, there is interpretation of results which entails discussing the results, the limitations as well as the implications.

Threats to Validity

The two major styles of threats to validity are threats to internal threats and external threats. Internal validity threats can be defined as experimental processes, treatments or experiences of the participants that in one way or the other threaten the researcher’s capability to make conclusions regarding cause and effect. Some of the internal threats that involve the participants are mortality, regression, history, selection and maturation. The threats that associated with the use of an experimental treatment that is manipulated by the researcher include compensatory and resentful demoralization, diffusion as well as compensatory rivalry. There are also threats that are related to the procedures utilized in the experiments. They include instrumentation and testing. On the other hand, threats to external validity entails the characteristics of the sample, setting or even timing that work towards threatening the researcher’s capability to make general conclusions of a population. The threats are experienced when experimenters draw erroneous conclusions from the sample data, to other settings, other individuals and future or past situations (Creswell, 2014).

The internal and external validity threats should be carefully identified as a way of creating designs that are meant to reduce the threats and hence get better results. The exact kind of threat and the potential issue in relation to the study should also be defined. The manner in which the threats are to be handled is also an issue that should be considered.

Nuances Involved in Interpreting Results from an Empirical Study

Creswell (2014) argues that interpretation of findings or results is usually the last step in an experiment. It is a process that is done against the research questions or hypotheses that are outlined in the beginning of the research. The process of interpreting results form an empirical study is associated with various nuances. One should consider whether the hypotheses were supported or refuted and whether the implemented treatment made any difference with respect to the participants who were involved. There is also a need to state whether the results were important or not. This could be made possible through the review of past literature on the same issue or examining the theory used in the research. Another essential aspect of consideration when it comes to interpretation of results is determining whether the results could have been as a result of insufficient experimental practices for instance threats to internal validity. The manner in which the results could be generalized to particular times, settings and individuals should also be indicated (Creswell, 2014). The implications of the results for the population in question of even for future research are also an element that should not be left out.

All these are significant aspects in results interpretation and they all work towards enhancing the overall success of the experiment or study. Based on the above discussion, it is apparent that the author has given substantial information with regard to carrying out research or experimentation. The components of an experimental method plan and the different types of threats to validity have been clearly outlined and discussed. Although the nuances in result interpretation are not evidently stipulated, they can be deduced from the discussion given on the same.

References

Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. London: Sage publications.