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Unit-9: Types of Research Design: Experimental and Cross-sectional or Comparative

human relation”. As you know in physical sciences the subject is kept under controlled conditions and notes
studied, similarly the inspection and examination of social happenings in a controlled environment is
termed as experimental research. in this type of research some aspects or variables of social happenings
are controlled and the remaining variables are examined through new conditions. from such type
of research we can find out the effect of newer situations on a particular group, society or any social
happening. in this the research is carried out in a controlled environment.

Notes According to Chapin; “research is an inspection carried out in a controlled state.
When inspection is unable to find out the factors responsible for the creation of any
problem then it becomes necessary for the researcher make use of experiment”.

the same thing has been presented by Mr Bimal shah, “experiment refers to that part of research
in which some variables are controlled where as others are changed and their effect on controlled
variables are examined. “in social sciences the importance of experimental research is same as the
importance of laboratorial methodology in physical science.
Experimental research is of three types: first, after experiment; second, before-after experiment; and
third ex-post fact experiment.
1. After Experiment—In this firstly two groups of similar characteristics and nature are selected.
from this one group is known as controlled group and the other group is known as experimental
group. No change or alteration is made in controlled group,neither in any of its variables or aspects
as well.No effect of new condition is permitted on experimental group. After some time the effect of
new condition is measured on the experimental group. if the effect of changes in conditions for the
controlled group and experimental group is same then it means that the new factor or condition has
no effect on experimental group. But if the effect on experimental group is more than the controlled
group then it means that the new factor or condition had an effect. for example, let us take two groups
or villages in which child marriage is prevalent. in this one group is taken as experimental group in
which the publicity against the child marriage is done. After some time this group is compared to
controlled group in which no such publicity against child marriage is done. If we find any difference
in the practices of child marriage in these two groups or the decrement in the child marriage in
experimental group, than the effect of this new factor i.e. publicity against child marriage would be
considered significant.
2. Before-after Experiment—in this process instead of selecting two groups only one group is selected.
this group is studied under two different conditions and comparison between before and after is made.
The study based upon before and after conditions is used to find out what changes have been made
in before and after conditions. the difference in the two states indicated the effect of new conditions.
for example, let us take a village and examine the effect of family welfare program. With the help
of a schedule we find out to what extend have the villagers accepted the program. For our study we
refer before condition as the first state here. Thereafter in this village the people are educated on the
advantages of family welfare program by means of radio, television, village social worker, teacher,
doctor, nurse. this time period is known as remedial period or second state. After a particular period
this village is again examined with the help of previously created schedule. this is considered as after
situation or third state. Now comparison can be made in the before and the after state. if now the
villagers accept the family welfare program and themselves make use of this program than this would
be considered an effect of attempts made during the remedial period or the second state.
3. Ex-Post-fact Experiment—this process is used to study the aspects related to past or any past
happening. Past conditions cannot be revised, neither its recreation is possible for researchers. they

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