To solve the issues existing in healthcare and other scientific areas, scholars and academics use different types of research. The main types commonly include experimental, quasi-experimental, and non-experimental research. Experimental research studies can be characterized by the use of scientific approaches to manipulating different variables and determining the effect they produce. An example of experimental research is a study conducted by Hsueh et al. (2021) that examined the impact that patients’ immigrant status has on the decisions taken by physician trainees in relation to diabetes treatment. This study was experimental because it involved a sampling population, a detailed procedure, and a stated hypothesis and was aimed at identifying outcomes related to a specific issue.
In turn, quasi-experimental research can be defined as a research design aimed at evaluating certain interventions without involving randomization. An example of quasi-experimental research is a study by Akuiyibo et al. (2022), which studied the effect of strategic change behaviors on diabetes and hypertension awareness in two Nigerian states: Imo and Kaduna. While experimental research is believed to provide more credible results, quasi-experimental research is also useful, as it allows gaining a more profound insight into the issue in nonrandomized control groups.
Finally, non-experimental research refers to studies that are mostly observational and intended to describe the processes in question. An example of non-experimental research is an article written by Giraldo-Jiménez et al. (2022), which observed the skeletal muscle symptoms in students in relation to the use of mobile devices. Based on the observations made, the researchers concluded that wellness programs should focus on the neck, back, wrists and shoulders to ensure that students prevent problems with their skeletal muscle systems. While this research design can be evaluated as the least credible one, it still provides a certain perspective and understanding of the issue in question.
References
Akuiyibo, S., Anyanti, J., Amoo, B., Aizobu, D., & Idogho, O. (2022). Effects of behaviour change communication on hypertension and diabetes related knowledge, attitude and practices in Imo and Kaduna States: a quasi-experimental study. BMC Public Health, 22(1), 715.
Giraldo-Jiménez, C. F., Jembuel-Giraldo, A. M., Galeano-Zapata, J. C., Quintana-Caro, A. M., Botero-Carvajal, A., Valderrama-Aguirre, A., & Millán-Estupiñan, J. C. (2022). Skeletal muscle symptoms in students of health majors with dependence on mobile devices: An observational descriptive study. Applied Sciences, 12(17), 8736.
Hsueh, L., Hirsh, A. T., Zapolski, T., De Groot, M., Mather, K. J., & Stewart, J. C. (2021). Influence of patient immigrant status on physician trainee diabetes treatment decisions: a virtual patient experimental study. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 44(5), 662-672.