Experimental Researrch Design Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Experimental Researrch Design - Essay Example Experimental research designs are the only ones that have the ability to determine if a change in the independent variable actually causes a change in the dependent variable. In carrying out an experimental design a number of questions have to be answered. These questions will determine the type of experimental study design to be adopted. Experimental designs are usually carried out on groups or individuals. Accordingly, the structure of the design changes as group experimental design or single subject experimental design (Srinagesh, 2006). Group experimental designs take different forms. If there is only one independent variable then a single variable design is adopted that has three approaches- pre-experimental designs, true experimental designs and quasi experimental designs. However, if there are two or more then then a factorial design is adopted. The single subject experimental designs are used only when one subject is involved in the study and thus aim at studying behavioral changes of different individuals as a result of some treatment or intervention. There are three main types and these include: A-B-A withdrawal design, multiple baseline design and alternating treatments design (Gravetter & Forzano, 2011). In the study question above, it was only possible to identify one independent variable which was the rate of adoption of the electronic medical records. A number of dependent variables were identified and these include: time, the hospitals surveyed, patient knowledge and efficiency. Therefore, in this case a single variable experimental design will be used. Narrowing down in this category, the quasi-experimental design with the use of time series design will be used. The rate of adoption is seen to change over time. The method will be effective because of the time aspect involved in the study. The design will address internal validity in a number of ways. The study