Writing Guides
Advantages and Disadvantages of Experimental Research: Quick Reference List
Experimental and quasi-experimental research can be summarized in terms of their advantages and disadvantages. This section combines and elaborates upon many points mentioned previously in this guide.
|
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
|
gain insight into methods of instruction |
subject to human error |
|
intuitive practice shaped by research |
personal bias of researcher may intrude |
|
teachers have bias but can be reflective |
sample may not be representative |
|
researcher can have control over variables |
can produce artificial results |
|
humans perform experiments anyway |
results may only apply to one situation and may be difficult to replicate |
|
can be combined with other research methods for rigor |
groups may not be comparable |
|
use to determine what is best for population |
human response can be difficult to measure |
|
provides for greater transferability than anecdotal research |
political pressure may skew results |