Key Differences Between Experimental and Observational Research Methods in Psychology
What They Mean:
Experimental Research: This type of research changes certain factors, called variables, to see how they affect something else. For example, scientists might check if not getting enough sleep changes how well people think. They would split people into two groups—one that doesn’t get enough sleep and another that sleeps well.
Observational Research: This type just looks at people’s behaviors without changing anything. For instance, researchers might watch kids playing on a playground to learn about how they interact with each other.
Control Levels:
In experimental research, scientists have more control over what happens. This helps them see how one thing (like sleep) directly affects another (like thinking skills).
In observational research, there's less control. This makes it tricky to figure out if one thing really causes another.
Types of Data:
Experimental research usually gives numbers (quantitative data), like scores on a test.
Observational research can give stories or descriptions (qualitative data) as well as numbers.
Knowing these differences helps psychologists pick the right method to answer their research questions!
Key Differences Between Experimental and Observational Research Methods in Psychology
What They Mean:
Experimental Research: This type of research changes certain factors, called variables, to see how they affect something else. For example, scientists might check if not getting enough sleep changes how well people think. They would split people into two groups—one that doesn’t get enough sleep and another that sleeps well.
Observational Research: This type just looks at people’s behaviors without changing anything. For instance, researchers might watch kids playing on a playground to learn about how they interact with each other.
Control Levels:
In experimental research, scientists have more control over what happens. This helps them see how one thing (like sleep) directly affects another (like thinking skills).
In observational research, there's less control. This makes it tricky to figure out if one thing really causes another.
Types of Data:
Experimental research usually gives numbers (quantitative data), like scores on a test.
Observational research can give stories or descriptions (qualitative data) as well as numbers.
Knowing these differences helps psychologists pick the right method to answer their research questions!