What would be one thing that differentiates the experimental method and the correlational method of research? Please be specific with a use of an example.

Answer 1

In an actual experimental method, you may be using a control group to test your hypothesis. For example, if you're looking at the efficacy of a new treatment, you'll have 2 groups to compare (test subjects - using the new treatment and control group - not using the new treatment). Your results may indicate that potentially the new treatment may be a good indicator of treatment outcome.

Whereas in a correlational method, you're looking to see if there is a relationship between what you're studying and a variable you want to see if there is a relationship, like time. For example, if you want to see if there is a relationship between those who received new treatment for X amount of time versus those who received new treatment for Y amount of time, and the result shows that both improved similarly, then there is no relationship with treatment length when administering the new treatment.