EXPERIMENTAL

RESEARCH
P . GAYATHRI
- 2014802004
U.KAAVIYA PRIYA 2014802007
M.Arch Landscape
, 3rd

EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH :
The purpose of the experimental research design is to enable researcher to
establish a cause-effect relationship. The experimental researcher is
seeking to restrain and measure the extend to which a treatment causes a
clearly measured outcome within a specified research setting, whether
in a laboratory or field.
The underlying character of experimental research includes:
The use of treatment or independent variable
The measurement of outcome or dependent variable
A clear unit of assignment to the treatment
The use of a comparison and control group
A focus on casuality.

State the research problem

Determine if experimental methods apply

Specify the independent variable(s)

Specify the dependent variable(s)

State the tentative hypotheses

Determine measures to be used

Pause to consider potential success

Identify intervening (extraneous) variables

Formal statement of research hypotheses

Design the experiment

Final estimate of potential success

Conduct the study as planned

Analyze the collected data

Prepare a research report

STEPS IN EXPERIMENTAL
RESEARCH

EXPERIMENT 1
Givoni conducted experiment on the
performance of various building
components.
Givoni tested three distinct conditions

EXPERIMENT 2
Ann Sloan Devlin sought to discover the
extent to which gender might have an
effect on how job applicants are
evaluated in architectural practice.
MALE

of insulation operation:

4 treatment

1)With the insulation panels closed

condition
JUNIOR

both day and night;

2)With the insulation panels open at
night and closed during the day; and
3)With the insulation positioned as in
condition 2, but with the addition of a
small ventilating fan from midnight to 5
am.
In addition thermal mass were also
tested.

FEMALE

SENIOR

Resume were made for 4 sets of

combinations and the evaluation of
acceptance & rejection level is
calculated among male & female
architects.
Women architects are less favorably
rated than male architects in job

UNDERLYING
CHARECTERISTICS

EXPERIMENT 1
(GIVONI)

EXPERIMENT 2
( DEVLIN)

1. Use of a treatment or
independent variables.

Thermal impact under

conditions : insulation,
venting fan & thermal
mass.

Gender designation.

2. Measurement of 1 or
more Outcome variable.

Temperature reading of
indoor areas.

Evaluation / hiring
decision.

3. The designation of
unit of assignment.
(both the cases receive
treatments manipulated
by researcher)

Small scale model of

metal roofed residential
units.

Individual architects.

4. Use of a comparison
or Control group.
( standard condition to
which comparison is
made. State at which no
treatment is applied.)

Insulation panels closed

both day & night.

Different treatments
compared against each
other.

UNDERLYING
CHARECTERISTICS

EXPERIMENT 1
(GIVONI)

EXPERIMENT 2
( DEVLIN)

5. A focus on causality.
( relation between
causes & effect.)

Takes casualties as
granted in environmental
technology.

Takes casualties with

limitations in
sociocultural aspects.
(finding out reasons for
interpretation)

The use of laboratory

Many respondents

settings where

explained that they

relevant variables can

found it hard to rate

be easily controlled.
Dependent variables
that are in many

the applicants because

the resume

instances inert and are

information was so

not likely to change

limited.

except as a
consequence of the
treatment.
Instruments that are
calibrated to give such
effects.

EXPERIMENTAL AND QUASI EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH :

The distinguishing factor between experimental and quasi experimental
research is the selection of units of assignment.
In experimental research the variables can be assessed through random
assignment where as in quasi experimental which often involved in field
settings people or group cant be randomly assigned for ethical or practical
reasons so that the researcher tries to compare as many variables as
possible.

EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH:
Random assignment play an important role in experimental research when
there is reason to believe that the units of assignment are not completely
equivalent.
Experiment 1 : in the gender discrimination study devlin was able to employ
random assignment even though it is a field study because of manipulative
resume conditions rather than real life applicant resumes. It provided a
greater level of assurance that the gender of applicant actually had an effect
on the male architects evaluation.
Experiment 2 : research based on inert materials does not require such
randomization measure because of the standard character of the materials
that can be tested under various physical condition for different outcomes.

QUASI EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH:

In some field studies random assignments cannot be achieved for
ethical or practical reasons.
experiment : if a researcher wanted to test the effect of 4 lighting
systems on employee in four separate office areas it is unlikely
that managers would agree their employees to assign their
employees in four different areas that would disrupt the functions.
In such situations they would identify 4 existing groups each of
which would receive different lighting treatment. In doing so the
researcher would attempt to find work groups in as many
respects as possible. task or work objectives, mix of job types,
gender mix, age, level of education, etc.

DIAGRAMMING EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH DESIGN

Diagrammatic expression of experimental research.
R = random assignment
X = experimental treatment
O = observations of the following coding systems.

GIVONI :
This notation system conveys the following essential points about the
design of this study ;
1)There is no explicit attention paid to random assignment, since all the
relevant procedures deal with standardized inert materials;
2)There are three different treatment conditions in addition to the control
conditions; and
3)Only posttest observations are made.

TACTICS :
A plan for attaining a particular goal that involve the setting,
treatment and measure .

ADVANTAGES OF EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH

Control Over Variables
This research aids in controlling independent variables for the
experiments aim to remove extraneous and unwanted variables. The
control over the irrelevant variables is higher as compared to other
research types or methods.
Easy Determination of Cause and Effect Relationship
The experimental design of this type of research includes
manipulating independent variables to easily determine the cause
and effect relationship.
Better Results
Due to the control set up by experimenter and the strict conditions,
better results can be achieved.
Another good thing about experimental research is that experiments
can be repeated and results can be checked again.

DISADVANTAGES OF EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH

Failure to do Experiment
One of the disadvantages of experimental research is that you cannot do
experiments at times because you cannot manipulate independent variables
either due to ethical or practical reasons. Taking for instance a situation
wherein you are enthusiastic about the effects of an individuals culture or the
tendency of helping strangers, you cannot do the experiment. The reason for
this is simply because you are not capable of manipulating the individuals
culture.
Creates Artificial Situations
Another disadvantage of experimental research is that this controls irrelevant
variables at times and this also means creating situations that are somehow
artificial.
Subject to Human Error
Just like any other type of research, experimental research is also subjected to
human error and this will somehow affect the efficiency of the results.