3 Selecting the most appropriate Research Design
The Research Design is selected to answer the research question. The following flowcharts are useful when trying to decide which design to use in relation to the researcher’s question they are trying to answer:
Figure 10. Experimental & Quasi-Experimental Design Choices.
From Singh et al. (2022), Elsevier Canada, a division of Reed Elsevier Canada Ltd.
Figure 11. Critical Thinking Decision Path: Non-experimental Design Choices.
From Singh et al. (2022), Elsevier Canada, a division of Reed Elsevier Canada Ltd.
The matrix below provides an overview of Research Design and key features of designs, and may be useful when critically appraising the choice of design.
| Design Feature | Experimental | Quasi-Experimental | Non-Experimental |
| Randomization | Yes | No | No |
| Control Group | Yes | Maybe | No |
| Manipulation of the Independent Variable | Yes | Yes | No |
| Desired Results | Cause and Effect | Cause and Effect | Descriptive, Exploratory, Correlational, Comparative |
