Empirical research involves an experiment in which data are collected in two or more conditions that are identical in all aspects but one. A blueprint for such an exercise is an experimental design. Shown in Table 1 is the design of the basic experiment. It has (a) one independent variable (color) with two levels (pink and white); (b) four control variables (age, health, sex, and IQ); (c) a control procedure (i.e., random assignment of subjects); and (d) a dependent variable (affective score).

Table 1 Basic Structure of an Experiment

Control Variables

Control Procedure

Test Condition

Independent Variable Manipulated, Wall Color

Age

Health

Sex

IQ

Random Assignment of Subjects (Si )

Dependent Variable, Affective Score

Experimental

Pink

Middle-aged

Good

Male

Normal

S1, S21, S7,... S15

To be collected and analyzed

Control

White

Middle-aged

Good

Male

Normal

S9, S10, S24,... S2

Method of Difference and Experimental Control

Table 1 also illustrates the inductive rule, ...

  • Loading...
locked icon

Sign in to access this content

Get a 30 day FREE TRIAL

  • Watch videos from a variety of sources bringing classroom topics to life
  • Read modern, diverse business cases
  • Explore hundreds of books and reference titles