FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

What characteristic defines experimental research?

1. Research that solely relies on qualitative data

2. Research that uses random assignment to form comparison groups

3. Research conducted without any variable manipulation

4. Research focused exclusively on case studies

The correct answer is: Research that uses random assignment to form comparison groups

Experimental research is defined by the use of random assignment to create comparison groups. This methodological approach allows researchers to establish cause-and-effect relationships by controlling for variables that could influence the results. By randomly assigning participants to different groups, researchers can ensure that these groups are similar at the start of the experiment, which helps eliminate biases and confounding variables. This randomization is crucial for attributing any observed effects directly to the manipulated variables. In contrast, research that relies solely on qualitative data does not necessarily incorporate the systematic manipulation of variables, nor does it focus on causal relationships. While qualitative studies can provide valuable insights, they do not meet the criteria for experimental research. Similarly, research conducted without variable manipulation focuses on observations or correlations rather than experiments. This type of research does not allow for the examination of cause-and-effect relationships, which is a key aspect of experimental research. Research focused exclusively on case studies represents a qualitative approach that provides in-depth analysis of individual or group cases but falls short of the systematic methods used in experimental designs. Case studies typically do not involve the random assignment or manipulation of variables that characterize experimental research.