The difference between Experimental and non-Experimental Research Designs

Experimental research design involves the manipulation of variables and recording the effects that they have on other variables. It involves the development of an experimental environment where a researcher can control the conditions necessary for the research to take place. By controlling the conditions of the experiment, the researcher is able to observe cause and effect relationship between different variables and draw important conclusions from them.

A good example of a popular scientific experimental design is the Morris water maze which was used for the exploration of memory and learning of mice. In the experiment, mice were placed in a pool of water with an escape below the water. In this case, all conditions are controlled by the researcher.

Non-experimental research design, on the other hand, involves observation of variables that occur naturally and, therefore, does not involve control of conditions. This means that there is no manipulation of variables. Non-experimental research is used in situations where control of condition or manipulation of variables is not possible or doing so may be deemed unethical.

There are multiple types of non-experimental research designs. They include surveys, correlational studies, studies involving observation, and many others. Behaviors and relationships between different variables are recorded without interference.