There are a variety of different ways a research can gather data for their study. This week goes into three different methods; Experimental, non-experimental, and Quasi-experimental. I believe that experimental is the most common type of research methods we are used to seeing. It involves two different groups that are observed in order to record changes too. The catch is that one group would get something that changes the variables, such as an experimental drug while the other group gets a placebo. Neither group knows whether or not they grabbed fake medicine, and therefore cannot fake their reactions and progress in the study.
The next type of method is the non-experimental design. As this week’s lesson explains, it is based on a study that does not have a specific question in mind but is more of an abstract idea. This design goes into three different methods. The first is the single variable design, which is as the name says. It focuses on only one variable instead of the traditional two or more variables. The next is correlational design, there are no variables that are controllable but rather studies some that are already there and is a correlational study. We then have the qualitative design which uses data that is usually non-numeric and is analyzed using non-statistical data (APUS, 2021).
Then there is quasi-experimental design. This is done by utilizing a pretest and a posttest to measure the phenomenon. This is done when it is not recommended to randomize experimental groups.
I believe that the design best suited for my research study would be the experimental design. I can use this design in having two control groups; one of which is law enforcement agencies that have strict policies regarding police pursuits and another group that does not have as strict policies. From there I would compare that data from the amount of collisions, injuries, deaths, etc. After having this information, it would be easy to see which group had better results in terms of safety and less collisions.
I will be honest and say that this is something I am having trouble in implementing into my research proposal. The experimental design is one that I believe makes the most sense with in comparing police pursuit policies. If anyone has any advice on another method that would better serve me it would be greatly appreciated!