quasi-experimental design
What is Quasi-Experimental Design?
A quasi-experimental design is like a scientific experiment with a missing ingredient: random
assignment. While true experiments randomly select participants into different groups,
quasi-experiments don't. Imagine testing a new fertilizer on plants. A true experiment would
randomly assign plants to groups receiving the fertilizer or not. A quasi-experiment might use
existing groups like rows already planted with different fertilizers. This makes it harder to be sure
the observed differences are due to the fertilizer alone.
History of Quasi-Experimental Design
The quasi-experimental design has roots in the early days of social science research.
Sociologist Donald Campbell recognized the limitations of true experiments in messy real-world
settings. He advocated for alternative methods. He, along with others like Thomas Cook and
Karl Popper, developed frameworks for understanding and utilizing non-randomized designs to
draw meaningful causal inferences.
One of the first documented uses of a quasi-experiment appeared in 1840. This was when
Edwin Chadwick compared mortality rates in English towns with and without sanitation systems.
Though lacking random assignment, the study provided compelling evidence for the link
between sanitation and health. It paved the way for future public health interventions.
Throughout the 20th century, quasi-experimental methods gained traction in various fields.
Economists used natural experiments like policy changes to study their impact on behavior.
Psychologists employed quasi-experimental designs to explore educational interventions and
treatment efficacy. The development of sophisticated statistical techniques further strengthened
the credibility of quasi-experimental findings.
Different Types of Quasi-Experimental Design
Here are some common types of quasi-experimental designs:
Non-equivalent control group design
In this design, participants are assigned to either a treatment group or a control group. However,
the assignment is not random. The groups are non-equivalent. They may differ in important
ways before the treatment is applied. Researchers use statistical techniques to analyze the data
and determine the treatment effect.
Pretest-posttest design
This design involves measuring the outcome variable before and after the treatment is applied.
Participants are not randomly assigned to groups, and there is no control group. The focus is on
comparing the change in the outcome variable within the same group over time.
Time series design
In this design, multiple measurements of the outcome variable are taken at regular intervals
before, during, and after the treatment. The goal is to observe any patterns or trends in the data
that can be attributed to the treatment.
Applicability of Quasi-Experimental Design
Here are some scenarios where quasi-experimental designs can be applied:
● Quasi-experimental designs are often used when it is not possible to randomly assign
participants to different groups. For example, in educational research, it may not be
ethical to deny certain students access to a beneficial intervention.
● Quasi-experimental designs are well-suited for studying interventions in real-world
settings, where researchers have limited control over the assignment of participants.
This allows for more practical and applicable findings.
● Quasi-experimental designs can be effective when researchers want to study naturally
occurring variations in populations. For example, comparing the outcomes of different
schools that have implemented different programs.
● Quasi-experimental designs are often chosen when researchers have limited resources
to conduct a true experimental study. Quasi-experiments can provide valuable insights
while working within these constraints.
Read the Article on Research designs here!
Benefits of Quasi-Experimental Design
● Quasi-experiments are conducted when true experiments are not possible due to
logistical, financial, or ethical constraints. They provide a practical alternative approach.
● Quasi-experiments use naturally occurring groups, making them more reflective of
real-world conditions. They have higher ecological validity and generalizability compared
to laboratory experiments.
● Quasi-experiments employ techniques like matching, statistical controls, and time-series
analysis to control for plausible threats to validity.
● By collecting measurements before and after the treatment, quasi-experiments allow for
stronger inferences about changes and help control for threats.
● Quasi-experiments with long follow-up periods, such as interrupted time-series designs,
can explore lasting effects that may be missed in experiments.
● Using intact groups in quasi-experiments allows for more representative and diverse
samples compared to artificially created groups in experiments.
● Quasi-experiments tend to be less expensive and resource-intensive than experiments
since they do not require manipulation of conditions.
Limitations of Quasi-Experimental Design
● Non-random group assignment in quasi-experiments may lead to systematic differences
between groups before the study begins, introducing bias and threatening internal
validity.
● Quasi-experiments cannot manipulate the independent variable or assign participants
randomly, limiting the ability to establish causality with certainty.
● Quasi-experiments face more potential threats to internal validity compared to true
experiments due to non-equivalent groups, requiring cautious interpretation of results.
● While statistical controls are possible, quasi-experiments struggle to control for all
plausible confounding variables as effectively as randomized experiments.
● Attempts to match groups on key variables may still result in systematic differences that
bias the findings. Matching as a control technique has its limitations.
● Controls like interrupted time-series analysis have assumptions that may not be fully
met. This limits their ability to account for threats to validity.
● Without random assignment, quasi-experiments can only infer causality rather than
directly conclude it. Causal conclusions must be tentative.
● Using the same measures at multiple time points can introduce practice effects and
measurement reactivity, impacting the internal validity of the results.
Conclusion
A quasi-experimental design is a smart way for scientists to study how things are connected
when they can't control everything. It has advantages like real-life applicability and being ethical,
but also some downsides like no random assignment and less control. By understanding the
strengths and weaknesses of quasi-experimental design, scientists can make smart choices
about when to use it.
