It is also possible to have an idea about a relation between variables but to lack knowledge of the direction and strength of the relation. This probability is known as α-level or the probability of a type I error.Įxploratory research, on the other hand, seeks to generate a posteriori hypotheses by examining a data-set and looking for potential relations between variables. The reason for this is that in confirmatory research, one ideally strives to reduce the probability of falsely reporting a coincidental result as meaningful. The advantage of confirmatory research is that the result is more meaningful, in the sense that it is much harder to claim that a certain result is generalizable beyond the data set. Such a priori hypotheses are usually derived from a theory or the results of previous studies. In a typical experimental study, there will be at least one "experimental" condition (e.g., "treatment") and one "control" condition ("no treatment"), but the appropriate method of grouping may depend on factors such as the duration of measurement phase and participant characteristics:Ĭonfirmatory versus exploratory research Ĭonfirmatory research tests a priori hypotheses - outcome predictions that are made before the measurement phase begins.
The choice of how to group participants depends on the research hypothesis and on how the participants are sampled. In other cases, the theory might not be available before one starts the research. One reason for using a flexible research design can be that the variable of interest is not quantitatively measurable, such as culture. Flexible designs allow for more freedom during the data collection process. Often, these variables are measured quantitatively. Fixed designs are normally theory-driven otherwise, it is impossible to know in advance which variables need to be controlled and measured. In fixed designs, the design of the study is fixed before the main stage of data collection takes place.
In some cases, these types coincide with quantitative and qualitative research designs respectively, though this need not be the case. Sometimes a distinction is made between "fixed" and "flexible" designs. Review ( literature review, systematic review).Experimental (e.g., field experiment, controlled experiment, quasi-experiment).Correlational (e.g., case-control study, observational study).Descriptive (e.g., case-study, naturalistic observation, survey).A research design is an arrangement of conditions or collection. Nonetheless, the list below offers a number of useful distinctions between possible research designs. There are many ways to classify research designs. 5 Examples of flexible research designs.