

On the other hand, you might find that although you turn the knob a great deal, sound doesn't increase dramatically. You know that turning the knob clockwise will produce a louder noise, but by varying how much you turn it, you see how much sound is produced. Independent and Dependent Variablesīeyond discovering causal relationships, experimental research further seeks out how much cause will produce how much effect in technical terms, how the independent variable will affect the dependent variable. You could further conclude that a causal relationship exists between turning the knob clockwise and an increase in volume not simply because one caused the other, but because you are certain that nothing else caused the effect. In addition, you could observe that turning the knob clockwise alone, and nothing else, caused the sound level to increase. For example, turning the volume knob on your stereo clockwise causes the sound to get louder. In abstract terms, this means the relationship between a certain action, X, which alone creates the effect Y. Basic Concepts of Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Researchĭiscovering causal relationships is the key to experimental research. You were right.Īs this guide explains, the deliberate process of testing hypotheses and reaching conclusions is an extension of commonplace testing of cause and effect relationships. You hypothesized that pressing the button marked with the up arrow would not only bring an elevator to you, but that it would be an elevator heading in the up direction. You then hypothesized that the button to summon the elevator was on the left, which was incorrect, so then you hypothesized it was on the right, and you were correct. You started with the hypothesis that this is in fact an elevator. A ride in an elevator may not seem like an experiment, but it, and each step taken towards its ultimate outcome, are common examples of a search for a causal relationship-which is what experimentation is all about. You have engaged in a series of experiments. On the far wall, a sign silently proclaims, "10th floor." You know that you seek a room marked with the numbers 1-0-1-2, so you press the button marked "10." The halves slide shut and enclose you within the cubicle, which jolts upward.

Looking to the left, then to the right, you see a panel of more buttons. A soft tone sounds and the two halves of the wall slide apart to reveal a small room. You press the top button and it lights up. After looking to the left, you see two buttons on the wall to the right. You approach a stainless-steel wall, separated vertically along its middle where two halves meet.
