Experimental Design
A design in which the researcher manipulates an independent variable and controls other conditions to test causal effects.
Experimental design involves deliberately manipulating one or more independent variables, holding or randomizing other conditions, and measuring the effect on a dependent variable. Random assignment to conditions is its defining strength, because it makes groups comparable on both known and unknown factors, allowing outcome differences to be attributed to the manipulation. Common forms include between-subjects, within-subjects, and factorial designs.
In a thesis, an experiment is the strongest basis for causal claims, but it demands careful reporting: how participants were assigned, what each condition involved, and what was held constant. Small student samples also make statistical power a live concern, so justify the sample size. When true randomization is impossible, name the design honestly as quasi-experimental and adjust your claims accordingly.
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