Introduction to Module 5

Introduction to Module 5

Module 5 includes two chapters. Chapter 10 considers very basic non-experimental and quasi-experimental designs that are similar to experiments but do not meet all of the requirements of a true experiment. Chapter 11 covers factorial designs, which may be experimental, non-experimental, quasi-experimental or mixed. The major feature of a factorial design that makes it more complex, but also more like ‘real life’, is that it includes two or more independent and/or quasi-independent variables.

Assignments

There are three assignments in module 5

  • Quiz
  • A discussion about developing your research strategy for your final paper
  • A lab on the differences among and pros and cons of different nonexperimental, quasi-experimental, and factorial designs, and also including a question about interpreting factorial designs

Module 5 learning objectives

At the end of module 5 you should be able to:

  1. Distinguish among the various experimental, nonexperimental, and quasi-experimental designs discussed in your textbook.
  2. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different types of nonexperimental and quasi-experimental designs.
  3. Identify and describe the different types of developmental designs and understand each design’s strengths and weaknesses.
  4. Understand the basic concepts of factorial research design and describe common applications of them
  5. Correctly identify the number of variables and treatment conditions using standard notation for factorial designs
  6. Interpret main effects and interactions in data showing cell means from two-factor designs
  7. Combine research designs discussed in previous chapters into factorial designs